Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jan 2004
Source: Richmond News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.richmond-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244

TIME FOR PREMIER TO FACE THE MUSIC

There certainly are more questions than answers surrounding the RCMP raid 
on the Legislature and the seizure of more than 30 boxes of materials.

We agree with MP Herb Dhaliwal, who said Premier Gordon Campbell should 
book the first plane back to B.C.

Do we expect to get a lot of answers when Campbell eventually touches down?

No, but there is something very troubling about the government's spin - 
that it's business as usual, despite the fact that one senior staff member 
has been fired and another suspended.

We trust this is not "business as usual" with our provincial government.

While police have taken pains to say no elected officials are involved in 
the investigation, any alleged link between organized crime, money 
laundering, drugs and highly placed staff in the provincial government 
demands all hands on deck.

While no one wants to see a police investigation compromised, we believe 
the public has the right to some answers.

This endless speculation doesn't serve B.C. residents, who want to have 
faith not only in elected politicians, but also in those who serve them - 
and are privy to important information.

Finance Minister Gary Collins did the right thing by interrupting his 
vacation and returning from Hawaii, and it's time Campbell did the same.

In the meantime, we hope the courts will side with the media and release 
details of the search warrants that sparked the raid on the legislature.

B.C. residents deserve to know what's going on.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman