The leader of the BC Green Party plans to table a private member’s bill aimed at closing the “revolving door” after former premier John Horgan announced he is joining the board of Teck Resources Ltd.’s steelmaking coal spinoff.
JoJo Beattie, the caucus spokesperson, said the Greens are not sure about the timeline for tabling such a bill because of their small staff. “Although it is not enforced effectively by the federal ethics commissioner, the federal ethics law contains a few rules that all together prohibit the prime minister, cabinet ministers, their staff and other top government officials from taking jobs with businesses or organizations when there is an ongoing transaction, legal or regulatory process involving the government, which there is between the company and the B.C. government,” Conacher said.
“According to the conflict rules for members of government boards, this is what the document says ‘a director should not use his position with the organization to pursue or advance their personal interests.’’ Horgan said. “Seems a reasonable proposition.”