B.C. Premier John Horgan hopes legislature is turning a page on spending scandal
Credit to Author: The Canadian Press| Date: Wed, 02 Oct 2019 20:20:56 +0000
B.C. Premier John Horgan says he hopes the retirement of the legislature’s sergeant-at-arms will mark a turning of the page for the institution after allegations of misspending were first raised almost a year ago.
Gary Lenz, who was embroiled in the spending scandal, announced Tuesday he is retiring, saying the damage to his reputation can no longer be fully repaired after he was placed on administrative leave last year.
Horgan says Canada and the province have strong democratic institutions and although those working at the B.C. legislature have had a cloud hanging over them for the past year, he has confidence in those who work there.
Former clerk of the house Craig James announced his retirement in May after Beverley McLachlin, the former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, released a report into overspending allegations against him and Lenz.
She concluded James improperly claimed benefits and used legislature property for personal reasons, but Lenz did not engage in misconduct.
Both Lenz and James have denied any wrongdoing.
FILE PHOTO: Gary Lenz (left) and Craig James speak at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP in Vancouver, BC, Nov. 26, 2018.
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