On Jan. 31, 2008, Judge Elizabeth Bennett ruled on the relevance of 140 emails that hadn’t been revealed to her previously. She ruled 92 of these documents to be relevant, three as significantly relevant and one so fundamentally important it could affect “innocence at stake.”

On Monday, Feb. 18, the court will sit to hear government arguments regarding the disclosure of those emails and other key documents. The trial outcome may hinge on whether the Campbell government will come clean and disclose documents deemed relevant to the case by Justice Bennett.

Justice Elizabeth Bennett on the need for a trial:

"The public interest in having this case heard outweighs just about everything else.” March 7, 2007

“The public has waited far too long for the trial to begin.” Sept. 17, 2007

Summary:
Campbell’s refusal to disclose key documents relevant to the B.C. Rail Corruption trial points to a political cover-up.

Campbell’s Disclosure Promises:

"I'm telling British Columbians that I am not going to in any way jeopardize this investigation.” Vancouver Sun, Jan. 8, 2004, Premier defends firing of Basi, seeks tougher rules for hiring aides

“Our job as government is to be as open about this and as transparent (as possible) as we allow the investigation to run its course.'' Times Colonist, Jan. 8, 2004, Campbell was warned of trouble

“One of the things we've done in B.C. relatively well is that we've set up a process where these sorts of investigations can take place and where there is no political interference." Times Colonist, Jan. 8, 2004, Plenty of answers, but little substance

“I have delegated the responsibility for screening of cabinet documents in this particular case to the Deputy Attorney General. He will make all of those decisions. He understands what the government's commitments have been to the independence and to the unfettered nature of the investigation that should take place. He also has a responsibility to the institution he serves and to the public.” Premier’s Estimates, May 28, 2007

Campbell’s Record:
Despite promises of openness in this case, Campbell has refused to cooperate. Instead, the Campbell government’s lawyer has been in court for months arguing to withhold hundreds of relevant documents.