Before the NDP came into power, the BC Liberals were in power for 16 years, from 2001 to 2017, under Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark. That period had its share of scandals, controversies and questions about accountability. No government should get a free pass, regardless of party. Here’s a reminder of some of the major controversies from those years. Political accountability should apply to everyone, not just the politicians we disagree with.
BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT: MAJOR SCANDALS & CONTROVERSIES (2001–2017)
The BC Liberals governed BC for 16 years. Here are some of the major controversies from that era:
• BC Rail scandal (2003–2010): Two Liberal ministerial aides pleaded guilty to breach of trust in connection with confidential information about the BC Rail sale.
• Gordon Campbell’s DUI (2003): The premier was arrested in Hawaii for impaired driving and later pleaded no contest.
• BC Rail legal fees: The government paid approximately $6 million toward the legal defence of the two aides, prompting major public criticism.
• HST backtrack (2009–2011): The Liberals introduced the HST shortly after an election in which they had not campaigned on it. After a public referendum, BC voted to scrap it.
• Health Ministry firings (2012): Health researchers were wrongly accused and dismissed. The government later apologized and provided compensation.
• “Quick Wins” ethnic outreach scandal (2013): Government staff and public resources were used for partisan political activities. Senior staff resigned.
• Political fundraising controversy: The Liberals accepted large corporate and union donations until BC banned them in 2017, raising concerns about donor influence and access to government.
• Triple-delete email scandal (2015–2016): Government emails relating to the Highway of Tears investigation were deleted. A former government aide pleaded guilty to lying under oath during the investigation.
• Casino money laundering concerns: Warnings about suspicious cash transactions and weaknesses in casino oversight raised serious questions about government oversight.
• Housing affordability: The government faced sustained criticism over soaring home prices and its response to foreign investment and speculation.
These are documented controversies from the Campbell and Clark years. Some involved proven misconduct; others involved policy failures or questions of accountability.
Sources: CBC, Global News, The Tyee, BC’s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and the Cullen Commission.