Simpleton a foolish or gullible person
If we see the headlines blaring out that there is no conflict of interest via "
private interests" of an MLA, or an MLA as a Minister, or an MLA as the Premier, or an Ex - MLA for 24 months, with an outsider, then we have to take it at face value because there is ABSOLUTELY no way to discover if the Conflict of Interest Commissioner has deemed otherwise, or advised, or ruled, or ... left notes, like from the Late H.A.D. "Bert" Oliver.
For example, MLA Jenny Kwan is back in the NDP fold, willingly (always) working for the poorest Constituents in Canada even though she was unaware of her former husband's dipping into the deep end of the pooled funds held by Portland Hotel Society, in Trust, to fuel his gallivanting ways around the world.
For example, Thanks to Rich Coleman, he reached in with his fat thumb and pulled out a PLUM, of a prize.
For example, Michael Smyth assertion:
"If only she (Jenny Kwan)
had noticed something, she could have blown the whistle on this obscene
betrayal of the poor, not been part of it." April 10, 2014
For
example, Premier Christy Clark smirking over her government stealing
$100 from Jenny Kwan's constituents, and other poor, single mothers.
(Michael Smyth take note)
For example, Premier Christy Clark being bombarded with questions lately with claims that she worked for Burrard Communications after retirement of September 17, 2004, only for a few months, nod/nod, tsk/tsk, due to family matters. No remuneration for her stellar efforts whereby
her "job" was to convince others, eg. Douglas College Staff Execs, Students, more Staff, protesters, banners, the we deserve-demanders like
Harry Bloy, that they had to deal with MP James Moore and MLA Iain Black on the Evergreen Line. Eventually, the former MLA, as a former Deputy Premier, came back to the BC Liberal fold, willingly, opened the said project, Evergreen, with much fanfare to her credit.
For example, James Moore handing out
Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medals.
For example, MLA John Van Dongen raising an issue over fellow MLA Christy Clark "
private interests" regarding BC Rail, which opened up the door, just a crack, to just what a former, Late, Conflict of Interest Commissioner (CIC) did to earn his keep, and if there's a Conflict with the current CIC then the CIC gets to pick his successor to do the heavy lifting for the CIC.
Page 4 of 41
For example, MLA John Van Dongen managed
to exorcize a document, Page 41 of 41, privately held, for many years that was used as a defense tool by MLA, Premier Christy Clark. Thank Goodness she did.
For example: If MLA Jenny Kwan is guilty of not knowing what her husband, separated, was doing with "his" business dealings with Portland Hotel Society, then surely Christy Clark is innocent because she
does did know everything that her husband, formerly, was doing with his/her dealings of Burrard Communications.... and of course, we mustn't leave out her Brother Bruce Clark. A close knit family, open books for three for free. It's all there in the one page report on the
CIC Diary of Christy Clark. Page 41 of 41.
*****************
*******
**
*
For example: In a Vancouver Sun article written by Jeff Lee on
November 29, 2003 one month prior to the Raid on the BC Legislature:
..... One might think that this is a perfect marriage of politicians;
he's got a pipeline straight to 24 Sussex Drive and she is surrounded in
cabinet by strong federal Liberal supporters like Finance Minister Gary
Collins, Attorney-General Geoff Plant and Health Services Minister
Colin Hansen.
But according to both, they go
to extraordinary lengths to keep their political and government
connections from being tangled.
Marissen, who
operates Burrard Communications, even has a clause in every contract he
signs with new clients that says he won't do any work involving the
provincial government. ..... - Jeff Lee
For example:
Page16 and 17 of 41 from the Conflict of Interest Commissioner:
[46] By letter dated February
16, 2001, Ms. Clark advised Commissioner Oliver that her husband had
commenced the practice of including a paragraph in each contract for
services entered into by Burrard. It read as follows:
"Burrard
Communications Inc. is a company that focuses on strategic
communications development, helping clients to achieve their goals in
the public arena. It does not, and will not represent clients to be the
provincial government of British Columbia or its agencies. It will
also not provide advice regarding provincial government legislation,
policies or programs."
[47] Ms. Clark sought advice of Commissioner Oliver regarding this business practice developed by her husband.
[48] By letter dated March 21, 2001, Commissioner Oliver replied in part:
"I
believe that the new contractual clause is a wise addition: care should
be taken to resist any temptation to circumvent it in practice. I have
no suggestion to make as to any alternative wording; it appears well
thought out and should serve its intended purpose."
[49]
Mr. Marissen testified in response to questioning in this area that he
declined any offer of business from any department or agency of
government during the period of time that his wife has served as an
elected official.
For example, we're not looking at the top of an iceberg scenario being visible with the vast potential of "what ifs" drifting below that is squirreled away by the CIC office filing cabinets ........, a more comparable view, from the top, would be along the lines of NOAH, yes THAT Noah, after 40 days and 40 nights, stepping off the Ark and finding Everest beneath his feet, eh.
Appendix "A",
(is an image therefore no Control-F)
Page 41, lists of the times that MLA Christy Clark approached
Commissioner Oliver to resolve possible conflicts .... February 17, 1998
to September 13, 2004 limited to the Complaint.
Edited, colour coded for Clarity, here's the original on
Page 41 of 41:
Page 10 of 41:
....
A review of Commissioner Oliver's files confirms to me that he often
provided this type of advice in writing to Ms. Clark and other members
of the legislature. ....
Page 15 of 41:
.... An extensive file exist
in the office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner for the Province
of British Columbia in relation to Ms. Clark, as is the case in respect
of most MLA's of long-standing. ...
Page 16 of 41:
[43]
Ms. Clark gave evidence that at all material times she consulted with
Commissioner Oliver regarding all matter that she felt might constitute a
conflict of interest on her part during the period of time that she
served as an elected member of the British Columbia Legislative
Assembly. She further informed me that every client acquired by the
company Burrard Communication Inc. ("Burrard") was a subject for opinion
to Commissioner Oliver. My review of the Office's record confirms that
she was diligent in this regard.
[44]
Burrard was a company owned and operated by her husband, Mark
Marissen. Burrard provided clients with strategic and public relations
advice for a fee.
[45] Both Mr. Marissen and Ms. Clark
testified that they jointly agreed early on in Ms. Clark's political
career that every client acquired by Mr. Marissen or his company would
be vetted through the Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner to
confirm that there was no conflict of interest issue by reason of Mr.
Marissen or Burrard having that particular client. The file maintained
at the office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner confirms that
assertion - attached as Appendix "A" to this Opinion is a copy of the
interchange of the correspondence between Ms. Clark and Commissioner
Oliver over the period of time indicated in the Appendix.
Surprisingly, the person who's job it is to keep a lid on this type of activity, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, did absolutely NOTHING to forewarn MLA Jenny Kwan as his Office did for MLA/Minister Christy Clark. A double standard? Or, does the CIC not keep track of Spouses jobs, business interests, Directorships, that could potentially cause grief? Even Honorary Directorships like the article published today in the National Post on behalf of
Matthew Millar.
tangled????
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
September 17, 2004 Christy Clark's status as an Minister was definitely in her
rear view mirror, free as a bird
to mingle and not consider the
appearance of tangled to the Public purse, or Oliver because of this: Appointment rescinded by OIC 905/04, September 20, 2004
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And those Contracts between Burrard Communications AND Government Agencies that are funded by the Treasuries of Canada and British Columbia funding????? TransLink ... Evergreen :
