NDP candidate Charlie Wyse is calling on Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett to speak out against her B.C. Liberal government’s plans to privatize the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), following the release of documents suggesting the deal may be influenced by B.C. Liberal insiders.
A Freedom of Information request, released July 12, shows Premier Christy Clark’s government has done a complete about-face on the privatization of the LDB in British Columbia.
The documents show that cabinet ministers in the B.C. Liberal government were initially opposed to privatization of the LDB. Following meetings with lobbyists Patrick Kinsella and Mark Jiles, the government reversed its earlier opposition to the planned privatization.
“Once more this government is favouring its friends at the expense of the people of this province,” says Wyse. “Where is the business plan? Where is the consultation with the beer and wine industry or the restaurant association?
“In the middle of summer, when many people are away on holidays the B.C. Liberals appear to be hard at work making deals with their friends.”
Wyse says he wants to know where Donna Barnett sits on this issue.
“She needs to explain to her constituents there is a solid case for privatization. In the absence of a clear, supported argument in favour of privatization, MLA Barnett must demand her government end this backroom deal immediately.”
However, Barnett says she has not seen a business plan or business case and had no comment.
“We can’t always say no to everything and we can’t always say yes to everything,” Barnett adds.
“These decisions are made by cabinet. I haven’t seen any business plan yet, so I don’t have an opinion either way. But if it is a good business plan and will save B.C. taxpayers money, I’m all in favour of it.”
With files from the Williams Lake Tribune.