B.C. solicitor general resigns over speeding tickets

Delayed resignation reflects poorly on premier, says NDP leader

Last Updated: Monday, April 27, 2009 | 1:00 PM PT

CBC News

John van Dongen has resigned as solicitor general, but will continue to run as B.C. Liberal candidate in the May 12 provincial election. (CBC)

British Columbia's top law enforcement official has resigned from the provincial cabinet following revelations that his driver's licence has been suspended for excessive speeding, adding a new twist to the provincial election campaign.

Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety John van Dongen announced his cabinet resignation in a statement released Monday morning, but said he will continue to run as the B.C. Liberal Party candidate for Abbotsford South in the May 12 election.

In an interview with CBC Radio on Friday afternoon, van Dongen said the suspension had been triggered by two cases of "excessive speeding" in the last 18 months on a highway on Vancouver Island and on Highway 99.

"Over the weekend I have reflected on my actions. I have heard from those who have rightly criticized my driving record that has undermined their confidence in my role as solicitor general," van Dongen said in a statement released Monday morning.

Conduct 'reflected poorly' on credibility

"I do understand how my conduct in this respect has reflected poorly on the credibility of the office," he wrote.

"This is why I informed the premier this morning that I am resigning immediately from my duties as minister of public safety and solicitor general," he wrote.

"Over the course of the last year I have met with people who have lost family members because of speeding and other driving behaviour. I have let them down and I have let down my constituents, who depend on me to set the highest public example. For that I am deeply sorry," van Dongen wrote.

"I will continue to run in the upcoming election as a candidate for the B.C. Liberal Party in the riding of Abbotsford South and I will work hard to earn the votes and confidence of my constituents," he said in the statement.

Van Dongen said Friday he received a letter last week from the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, which was part of his cabinet portfolio, notifying him that his licence had been suspended. At that time he said he would not be appealing the suspension and had mailed in his driver's licence.

NDP leader demands explanation over delay

Meanwhile, NDP Leader Carole James said she is glad van Dongen is stepping aside as solicitor general, but was troubled by the delay.

"When you have your top cop in the province charged with offences… I don't think that is helpful to anyone," said James, who was campaigning on the streets of Vancouver's historic Chinatown on Monday morning when she heard the news.

James said Premier Gordon Campbell should "come clean on why it took so long for van Dongen's driving record to surface," and why after it did, Campbell did not immediately ask him to resign.

"It does, as I say, show the lack of judgment by Gordon Campbell, when he thinks it's just fine for John van Dongen to stay in his position," said James.

The premier announced that Rich Coleman will take over as solicitor general, a post he has held in the past. Coleman will also remain the minister of housing.

Internal Links

DOCUMENT: Statement from John van Dongen announcing resignation as B.C. solicitor general
VIDEO: Eric Rankin reports: B.C. solicitor general resigns over speeding tickets (Runs 3:27)
B.C. safety minister suspended from driving for 'excessive speeding'

Overall Results

Overall Election Results
Party	Elected	Leading	Total	Vote Share (%)
Updated: May. 13, 2009, 1:16 AM PDT
LIB	49	0	49	46.02
NDP	36	0	36	42.06
GRN	0	0	0	8.10
CON	0	0	0	2.11
OTH	0	0	0	1.72

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All results are unofficial until final ballot counts are verified by Elections B.C.

STV referendum overall results

Question: Which electoral system should British Columbia use to elect members to the provinical Legislative Assembly?

The existing system (First-Past-the-Post)
The single transferable vote electorial system (BC-STV) proposed by the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform

Electoral District Vote

BC-STV

First-Past-the-Post

51 RIDINGS

Ridings 7/85

Ridings 78/85

Updated: May. 13, 2009, 1:16 AM PDT

85/85 ridings reporting

Total Popular Vote

BC-STV

First-Past-the-Post

MAJORITY 60%

560,430 votes | 38.82%

883,259 votes | 61.18%

Updated: May. 13, 2009, 1:16 AM PDT

What it needs to win:

For the referendum to be binding, the approval level must be:

more than 50% of the votes in at least 51 of the province's 85 electoral districts, AND
at least 60% of the total popular vote, province-wide.

If the two thresholds are met, government is required to introduce legislation to implement BC-STV in sufficient time for it to be in place for the May 2013 General Election.

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Oppal falls behind in see-saw Delta South recount: B.C. Liberal Wally Oppal fell behind in Monday's initial recount of ballots cast in Delta South in the May 12 provincial election. Absentee votes will still need to be counted Tuesday before the final result will be announced Wednesday.
Record low voter turnout in B.C. election: Voter turnout in B.C.'s provincial election hit a record low on Tuesday, with only 50 per cent of eligible voters bothering to vote, a full eight percentage points less than the 58 per cent that voted in 2005.
Oppal awaits results of recount for Delta South seat: There will be an automatic recount in the Delta South riding after preliminary election results show star Liberal candidate Wally Oppal beat independent Vicki Huntington by a mere two votes.
Re-elected Campbell to focus on strengthening B.C.'s economy: Gordon Campbell says reviving the province's economy is his main task as he heads into a historic third straight term as the province's premier, but other issues — such as health care and the environment — are also on the agenda.

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