MAY 14th Update:
BREAKING: The B.C. Cabinet is meeting tomorrow to make their decision on whether or not to call a public inquiry.
Help them make the right call by signing on.
Shocking leaked RCMP documents exposed the nefarious links between organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering leading to skyrocketing real estate prices in many B.C. communities[1]. But instead of answers, the RCMP’s case just fell apart, letting those responsible off the hook.
Attorney General David Eby said a public inquiry into this massive scandal is still an option, but Premier John Horgan said he is not ready to call one because he is not sure that is “what the public wants.” [2,3]
A public inquiry could be our best chance to learn the truth about a crisis that has claimed thousands of lives, and has made our province the most unaffordable to live in.
News just broke that an international task force of G7 member countries that tracks money laundering, terrorist financing and threats to the international financial system highlighted B.C. money laundering activities in their investigation. The report estimates that over $1 billion per year has been laundered through an underground banking network, higher than earlier projections about the scope of this crisis.[4]
It’s been a difficult few years in British Columbia, and tens of thousands have been affected by this multi-layered crisis. The coroner’s stats[5] are devastating, and underline that it is a life or death matter for too many.
Many brave BCGEU members have been exposed to serious workplace safety risks and a heavy emotional toll. From frontline health to social services, casino workers to librarians, transit workers, deputy sheriffs and correctional officers, the crisis has affected nearly every sector of our economy.
We owe it to them and you to find a workable solution to this crisis. Together, we can, and we must put a stop to it and restore the rule of law in our province.
Sources
[1] “Secret police study finds crime networks could have laundered over $1B through Vancouver homes in 2016,” Global News
https://globalnews.ca/news/4658157/fentanyl-vancouver-real-estate-billion-money-laundering-police-study/
[2] "Horgan open to inquiry on money laundering in B.C. casinos" The Globe and Mail
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-horgan-open-to-inquiry-on-money-laundering-in-bc-casinos/
[3] "B.C. Premier John Horgan not yet ready to call a public inquiry into opioid crisis"
https://globalnews.ca/news/4715257/b-c-premier-john-horgan-opioid-public-inquiry/
[4] B.C. minister fears money laundering involves billions of dollars, cites reports, National Post, January 18 2019. https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/b-c-minister-fears-money-laundering-involves-billions-of-dollars-cites-reports
[5] B.C. Coroner’s Service, Illicit Drug Overdose Deaths in BC January 1, 2008 – September 30, 2018
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/statistical/illicit-drug.pdf
The B.C. Government is reviewing two reports into money laundering and could make their decision on whether or not to call a public inquiry this month.
Part of their decision will be based on what they hear from you now.
Since we launched this campaign the City Councils of Richmond, Victoria and Vancouver have unanimously called for a public inquiry. Also adding their voice to the call have been the BC Green Party, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, as well as the BC Federation of Labour and the Vancouver and District Labour Council.
Polling now shows 77% of British Columbians want a public inquiry.
Our campaign is working, and public pressure is mounting.
