Tuesday marked the seventh anniversary of the unprecedented raid on the legislature that launched the corruption trial over the sale of B.C. Rail and ended with a settlement costing the province $6 million.
And to highlight the occasion, the New Democrats again called for a public inquiry into the events leading up to the sale.
Despite the length of time that has passed since the raid, the NDP argue the public isn't much closer to learning the truth about what happened. The New Democrats say the deal is tainted and are seeking a clearer understanding of the what role the Liberal government played politically in the sale.
The $1-billion sale of B.C. Rail to CN in 2003 was a significant issue in Prince George, as the Crown corporation was viewed as an important vehicle for resource development.
One of the organizers of the Prince George Committee to Save B.C. Rail, Ron East, has also called for a public inquiry.
The trial of three former government employees - charged as a result of the raid - came to a dramatic and sudden end two months ago when two of them led guilty to lesser charges.
Since then, the NDP have stepped up their calls for a public inquiry.
Leonard Krog, the NDP's attorney general critic, notes there has been little appetite among the B.C. Liberal leadership candidates for an inquiry.
"Whether it's B.C. Rail or the HST, British Columbians just can't trust the B.C. Liberals to keep their word. Christy Clark has proven that time and time again, as have Kevin Falcon, George Abbott and Mike de Jong," said Krog, listing the five Liberal contenders for the leadership, which will be decided on Feb. 26.
The Liberal government has continually deflected calls for an inquiry.
Nechako Lakes Liberal MLA John Rustad said it is easy for the Opposition to call for an inquiry, one that would be time consuming and cost tens of millions of dollars. He said he has no time for inquiries intended to score political points, but might be open to an inquiry meant to address specific, credible questions, for example, if people have questions around the abrupt end of the trial.
Rustad argues that the deal has brought significant benefits to northern B.C., including a beefed up northern transportation corridor. He said investments at the Port of Prince Rupert and in Prince George to handle containers would not have been made without the deal.
Rustad noted that any decision on an inquiry will be up to the new Liberal leader.
During the controversial sale, the Prince George Committee to Save B.C Rail - a coalition of business, political and labour representatives - argued there was no need to sell a profitable B.C. Rail, as there would be massive jobs losses and loss of control of a railway that's been in public hands since 1915.
The B.C. government argued that a private operator needed to be brought in to operate B.C. Rail because it was debt-ridden and didn't provide adequate service.
In October, former political aides Dave Basi and Bobby Virk pled guilty to lesser charges - four counts linked to breach of trust and accepting rewards or benefits. Charges were stayed against Basi's cousin, Aneal Basi, who was accused of money laundering.
When it was revealed the province paid the $6-million legal bill of the accused, the NDP demanded that all documents and correspondence related to the deal be made public.
