Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jan 2004 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Hacker Press Ltd. Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: Russ Akins LEGISLATURE POLICE RAID DRAWS CRITICS A former New Democrat MLA says the B.C. Liberals should hold themselves to the same standards they expect of others in the growing crisis over the police raid on the provincial legislature. Former Mission-Kent MLA Dennis Streifel had that to say and more to the Abbotsford News, in the aftermath of Sunday's raid on the offices of two ministerial assistants of senior Liberal cabinet ministers. However, police say the two ministers - Finance Minister Gary Collins and Transportation Minister Judith Reid - were not the subjects of the raid. The files targeted were those of two ministerial assistants, David Basi (Collins' assistant) and Bob Virk (Reid's assistant). Police have confirmed a link between the investigation and the illegal drug trade and organized crime. Basi has been fired, while Virk has been suspended with pay. Both were appointed to their positions by cabinet following the 2001 election. No charges have yet been laid in the matter. Abbotsford-Clayburn MLA John van Dongen told the Abbotsford News this week: "I really don't have any comment on it. The only things I know is what's in the media - the process of justice has to work." He did not speculate as to whether the two ministers should step aside during the investigation. The legislature will be back in session the second Tuesday of February, but van Dongen expects to be back in Victoria by Jan. 12. His local counterpart, Abbotsford-Mt. Lehman MLA Mike de Jong, could not be reached for comment. Van Dongen stepped aside from his portfolio as agriculture, food and fisheries minister in January of 2003, after learning police were investigating his handling of an aquaculture file in the fall of 2001. By April, he was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing. Streifel had plenty to say about the events surrounding Sunday's raid, and the action the two MLAs should take. Both should step aside until the matter is cleared, he told the Abbotsford News, as the Liberals would have expected the same when they were in opposition. "No question, they should come forward and clear the air - they should hold themselves to the same standard they hold others to," he said this week. "They should do the honourable thing, that their leader didn't have the courage to do when he was nabbed as a drunk driver." However, he added: "If there is anything hanky panky or untoward going on, I hope justice is swift. Glen Clark was hung by the media before a judge found him completely innocent. "The ministerial assistant is the minister," said Streifel. "The relationship is so close, so tight, you almost live hand in hand. They're chosen for their specific loyalty - it's the closest it gets to the minister's lap." He stressed the importance of Collins' role as finance minister, with a balanced budget forecast in the spring. "Can he deliver with this cloud hanging over him?" Streifel, former fisheries minister in the NDP government, intends to seek the party's nomination in the new riding of Maple Ridge-Mission. The next provincial election will be held in May 2005. Since Collins occupies number two place in the cabinet as finance minister, potential effects on the upcoming provincial budget deadline "cannot be minimized," said John Redekop, Trinity Western University political science professor. "If and when criminal charges are laid, the ministers should step aside from their portfolios," the former city councillor told the Abbotsford News. "I'm not saying the ministers are guilty, but a minister of the Crown does have responsibility on what an appointee does. It seems reasonable they should consider stepping aside until the matter is cleared," he said, noting van Dongen did just that when he was under investigation. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake