Battered SG's office needs repair

Surrey Now EDITORIAL Published: Friday, April 11, 2008

The first thing Abbotsford-Clayburn MLA John van Dongen did on the first full day at his new job as the province's solicitor-general was to apologize to the public and to consumers burned by the apparent misdeeds of a few ICBC employees. He said sorry on behalf of the government, the Insurance Corporation of B.C. and on behalf of its honest employees, about "irregularities" that surfaced at ICBC's Burnaby station. Details from an internal review are now with the RCMP for a criminal investigation. ICBC first told the public of its internal problems in a Feb. 13 press release, saying it was reviewing if damaged vehicle information was disclosed properly. Unfortunately, Les did not address the matter until the Opposition brought it up. He downplayed the issue. It was the same way he responded to the emerging problem of B.C. Lottery Corporation retailers winning cash at an unusually higher rate - six times more - than the rest of us. As the minister responsible for both ICBC and the BCLC, Les' dismissive responses were especially disappointing. The B.C. public has a right to expect more sincerity of their solicitor-general, who not only oversees ICBC and BCLC, but also heads up policing and public safety services in the province. And now, with Les' resignation from the Liberal cabinet, due to investigations by both the RCMP and the Agricultural Land Commission, it is understandable if the public is wary. But sadly, the office of the solicitor general has also suffered. Van Dongen's forthright apology was a step in the right direction. What is needed, however, is continued openness and fearless honesty to restore the integrity of the office. We'll be watching.