ELECTION – Special prosecutor named in political-contributions probe

A special prosecutor has been appointed to provide legal advice to RCMP on an investigation into indirect political contributions and other potential contraventions of the B.C. Election Act. The Criminal Justice Branch announced today (Thursday, March 30, 2017) that David Butcher, QC will act as the special prosecutor. Elections B.C. decided earlier in March to refer its investigation to the RCMP to “ensure that there is no perception that Elections B.C.’s ability to administer the general election in a fair, neutral and impartial manner is in any way compromised.” Butcher’s mandate includes offering legal advice and conducting an independent assessment of any report to Crown Counsel. The B.C. Liberal Party said last week it would reimburse 43 indirect political donations worth about $93,000…

Kamloops-South Thompson NDP candidate Nancy Bepple will officially open her campaign office on Sunday, April 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. The office is in Lansdowne Village between Booster Juice and Dollarama…

Resident John McNamer says his complaint against Mayor Peter Milobar, the B.C. Liberal candidate in Kamloops-North Thompson, for alleged conflict of interest is in the hands of an investigator in the Ombudsperson’s office, but no decision has been made on whether to launch an official investigation. McNamer’s complaint is based on Milobar’s involvement in consideration of the proposed Ajax mine….

The NDP has launched a TV commercial describing the B.C. Liberals as “a government gone bad.”