Yesterday the Attorney General received the second Peter German report on the state of money laundering in British Columbia. In addition, the Minister of Finance received a report from the Expert Panel on Money Laundering. Both of these much awaited reports will provide information with which to inform a potential public inquiry into money laundering in BC.

This was the subject of my Question during Question Period today (see video and text reproduced below). As you will see from the responses, the government has stated that it will review the reports before they are eventually made public. A public inquiry is still being considered.

Video of Exchange

Question

A. Weaver: We learned last week that a controversial senior-level intervention was made by officials in the Finance Ministry in order to maximize casino revenue. Incredibly, the intervention to increase betting limits to $100,000 per hand, despite repeated warnings from the regulator, was deemed to be “in the public interest” by the former Minister of Finance.

Let me reiterate. Allowing $100,000 betting limits to be played at casinos, despite clear warning signs from the regulator, was deemed to be “in the public interest.” I don’t know how many of you have played blackjack or poker with $100,000 stakes. I’d suggest not an awful lot. Shocking, it is.

My question is to the Attorney General. Each week more and more information is brought to light. An ever-growing list of questions is emerging. Pressure for an independent public inquiry continues to grow. The federal Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction has indicated he is open to a request from the province for supporting an inquiry. He now has two special reports in front of him. Does he think he has enough evidence to call for a public inquiry?

Answer

Hon. D. Eby: Thank you to the member for the question. Yes, this is an important day. The Minister of Finance has received a report from her team, from Maureen Maloney, and has received Dr. German’s report, which, as the member knows, looks at issues around luxury cars, issues around horse racing and issues around real estate.

Dr. German’s report alone is more than 300 pages. We’ve just received it. We’ll be going through it to do a couple of things — to make sure that the public release doesn’t compromise any law enforcement investigations and doesn’t unfairly impugn the reputation of any individuals. Then we’ll be releasing it to the public. The reason for that is exactly the reason that the member has identified. The people deserve to know what’s been going on in British Columbia, what happened under the previous government and why we need to take the measures that we’re taking to get things under control.

They made a number of serious errors in judgment. We don’t know whether it was wilful blindness or negligence.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. D. Eby: The member who is shouting at me is one of the key members, obviously. I understand why he’s defensive about it, but the truth will out.

Mr. Speaker: The leader, Third Party, on a supplemental.

Supplementary Question

A. Weaver: Thank you to the Attorney General for his answer.

Last week the Attorney General said this: “The larger issue that I understand British Columbians are concerned about is really political accountability and to identify if there is rot in the system, to have that rot weeded out through a public inquiry system.” He’s absolutely correct. We need political accountability, which is why the B.C. Green caucus has been calling for an independent inquiry for over a month now. It’s why thousands upon thousands of people have signed petitions calling for one and why several organizations, municipalities and unions have also called for one.

Last week the Attorney General also said: “The Premier has been clear about keeping the option open to a public inquiry.”

My question is to the Attorney General. When will we know if government is serious about launching a public inquiry?

Answer

Hon. D. Eby: The member will know that our emphasis has been on identifying what’s been happening and on stopping that activity from continuing. That’s been the big priority. The member raises the issue of accountability, especially political accountability. I do think that’s a very important issue — not just for the member, not just for me and not just for the government but, certainly, for all British Columbians. We’ll be looking at the reports we’ve received, and the Premier and the government will make a decision about a public inquiry if necessary.