BC United wants Dhaliwal to be put on leave until investigation is complete

THE BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced on Friday that on May 4, John M. Gordon was appointed special prosecutor in relation to an investigation of an election candidate, Gurveen Dhaliwal, who was ultimately elected as a member of the Board of Education for New Westminster Schools, for being present at a voting place as a scrutineer.

On May 1, 2023, Dhaliwal was appointed as a ministerial advisor to the Minister of Health.

Assistant Deputy Attorney General Peter Juk KC (ADAG) appointed Gordon under section 7 of the Crown Counsel Act because he considered it in the public interest to do so. The appointment of a special prosecutor is intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice considering the nature of the allegations and the identity of the accused as an elected public official and a political appointee.

Gordon is a senior Vancouver lawyer in private practice. He was given a mandate to provide legal advice to the investigators as may be necessary, conduct any related charge assessment, and assume conduct of the prosecution if any charge is approved.
Following consultation with the special prosecutor, the BCPS concluded that issuing a media statement was appropriate at this time.

MEANWHILE, BC United MLA Peter Milobar said: “It is deeply troubling that the NDP saw fit to promote this staffer to a Ministerial Advisor position in the Ministry of Health even after these allegations were made public.

“David Eby should do the right thing and put this advisor on leave until the investigation is complete.

“With our healthcare system crumbling, doctors being muzzled, cancer patients being sent to the United States for treatment, and one in five British Columbians unable to access a family doctor, NDP Health Minister Dix should be focused on fixing the crisis in our hospitals not whether his senior advisors are violating the law.”