Phil Melnychuk - Maple Ridge News Published: February 02, 2010 4:00 PM
Unlike his counterpart in Chilliwack who turned down an offer of Olympic tickets, meals and accommodation from the B.C. Lotto Corp., Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin says there’s nothing wrong about him accepting the offer for two tickets to the men’s hockey quarter finals. “No, I don’t think so. I haven’t got a legal opinion,” he said Tuesday. “I’ve got to get up in the morning and look at myself in the mirror. If I thought it would have been a problem I wouldn’t have done it.” Daykin isn’t staying over, just driving in for the game with his wife, then driving back. He’s not sure if a meal is included with the tickets.
Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz, though, said Tuesday that the city lawyer has told council several times that the Community Charter forbids politicians from accepting gifts, other than those of protocol, such as something given during a ceremony. “This all about transparency for the taxpaying public,” she said. “People need to know their politicians are honest, and they want to know where their tax dollars are going. They want to make sure their politicians aren’t being bought.” Gaetz said she’s had reaction from across the country applauding her stance. “I have to say I’ve been truly humbled by some of the positive comments people have been sending me from across Canada on this one.”
According to Section 105 of the Community Charter: “a council member must not, directly or indirectly, accept a fee, gift or personal benefit that is connected with the member’s performance of the duties of office.” That doesn’t apply, however, if the gift is a result of protocol or social obligations “that normally accompany the responsibilities of office.” If that’s the case, the politician has to file a disclosure statement if the gift is worth more than $250.
Daykin doesn’t see any conflict of interest in accepting the tickets from B.C. Lotto Corp. or how accepting the tickets could later benefit B.C. Lotto Corp. “I don’t see it.” On the other hand, if the Haney Bingo Plex offered him tickets, Daykin says he would have said no. Bingo Plex owner Great Canadian Gaming Corp., a gaming operator for B.C. Lotto Corp., received council’s approval in 2008 to build a new gaming centre on Lougheed Highway and 227th Street. Daykin said he hasn’t had any reaction from people about the tickets – other than offers to take them off his hands. No other staff or council members have received any other free tickets, he said. “They’re calling it a stakeholder’s … event. “If I was going to 30 of them, I might question it, but it’s a one-deal thing, so.”
Pitt Meadows Mayor Don MacLean said no staff or council are going to the Olympic using free tickets. He doesn’t know if B.C. Lotto offered any tickets in Pitt Meadows.“I haven’t seen them in town. If they offered me a ticket, maybe it would be a sign we’re getting a casino, but no such luck.”
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Mayor Derek Corrigan will be taking in three Olympic events, thanks to invitations from B.C. corporations - and he says he's confident there's no conflict in doing so. Corrigan told the NOW at Monday night's meeting that he had been invited to three separate hockey games by organizations - including B.C. Lottery Corp. and Telus - and said, though he's looking forward to the events, it's also part of his job as mayor to attend. "I didn't buy any tickets, and the city didn't buy any tickets, I've been invited to these hockey games, ... and I accepted," he said. "I am lucky, not many people will get to see it (live)," he said.
When asked about the public perception of conflict in accepting the invitations, Corrigan said he felt very comfortable in doing so. "I think it is part of my role. A lot of it is work - meeting people we do business with, making contacts. I'm certainly going to enjoy myself. But it's a social event that has a business (component)," he said. Corrigan said he is careful to record any such invitations and to declare them - in fact, he made a point to mention the invites earlier in the evening during the open council meeting - and said everything is kept public and above-board. "I'm not going to be influenced in decisions because of a hockey game," he said with a laugh, adding that if a politician were swayed in such a way, the problem isn't the hockey game but the politician himself. Corrigan noted that he sometimes has business lunches with developers with projects in the city and, sometimes, the companies pay for the meal."I'm not going to arm wrestle them for the bill at the end of lunch."
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B.C. Lotteries said they sent out Olympic offers to municipal politicians in 20 B.C. communities that have casinos or other gaming facilities. B.C. Lotteries refused to say how many politicians accepted the packages, which include tickets to hockey, figure skating, speed skating and the opening and closing ceremonies.
There are 28 commercial bingo halls and community gaming centres across BC.
Casino Locations: (Okanagan listed below)
1 comment:
And the largesse continues. Enjoy your day in the sun, Mr. Politician.
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