VICTORIA – New Democrat Leader Carole James called Gordon Campbell’s response to the growing controversy over Ken Dobell’s lobbying activities inadequate and called on the Criminal Justice Branch to immediately begin legal proceedings.



“Mr. Dobell is a close friend and top adviser to Premier Gordon Campbell,” said James. “But Gordon Campbell has refused to answer questions about this growing controversy. The government must stop stonewalling questions about the potential conflict and violations against the legislation governing lobbyists.”



The New Democrat Opposition has repeatedly questioned the government about Mr. Dobell’s failure to follow the rules set out in the Lobbyists Registry Act. Mr. Dobell began to lobby the provincial government on behalf of the City of Vancouver on April 5, 2006, but didn’t register his activities on the Lobbyists Registry until October 28, 2006, more than six months later. That is a clear violation of the Act.



“The Premier has referred the controversy to a review by the Privacy Commissioner, but that review does not have any legal recourse and the timeline is too long,” said James. “This is a case where there appears to be a clear violation and the Crown should immediately launch proceedings against Mr. Dobell before the Statute of Limitations has expired.



“The review in place now may last until May, at which point the opportunity to launch proceedings could be lost.”



The NDP MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin, Maurine Karagianis, today sent a letter to the Assistant Deputy Attorney General responsible for criminal justice demanding a prosecution against Ken Dobell for a violation of the Lobbyists Registry Act.



Section 3(1) of the Act states that all lobbyists must register “within 10 days after entering into an undertaking to lobby on behalf of a client.” The Act also states that anyone who contravenes that section of the Act is committing an offence and is liable for a fine of not more than $25,000. The Statute of Limitations runs out on offences under the Act after six months, which in this case is April 27.



“I am asking the Crown to proceed in this matter so that Mr. Dobell’s actions can be properly judged in a court of law,” Karagianis said. “If no action is taken on this matter by Thursday, I intend to begin a private prosecution under the Offence Act.



“The Campbell government appears to be allowing its friends and supporters to live by one set of rules, while other British Columbians must live by another set of rules,” she said. “It is time that the law – and the Government of British Columbia – treat all citizens the same, regardless of their relationship to the Premier.”