‘Quick Wins’ scandal leads to guilty plea from a BC company
Posted May 17, 2016 10:55 am.
Last Updated May 17, 2016 6:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Election Act charges against a former communications director for the BC Liberal government have been stayed on the same day a criminal charge of breach of trust is sworn against him.
This is in connection with the “Quick Wins” scandal.
The BC Liberals were accused of using government resources to work on things for the party, including communications strategies for the 2013 election and a 2012 by-election in Port Moody.
The man at the centre is Brian Bonney; he is the one charged following this near three-year investigation by the RCMP and a special prosecutor. Bonney’s company Mainland Communications pleaded guilty to one charge and received a $5,000 fine.
He worked as the communications director for Harry Bloy, who was the minister of social development at the time.
The NDP brought this to light through leaked documents.
NDP Leader John Horgan doesn’t expect the Liberals to take any action as a result.
“The head of the BC Liberal party, Laura Miller, is facing similar breach of trust in Ontario and she was re-hired by the BC Liberals. So I guess in the BC Liberal “families first” it is those that are charged with breach of trust.”
An internal government review from Clark’s deputy minister found Bonney used half his time to work on BC Liberal party strategies aimed at ethnic communities.
Bonney and another strategist were charged under the Election Act. Bonney is accused of donating over $2,000 to the BC Liberal party while holding a position as a government employee and not disclosing it.
He made an appearance in court this morning.
