Vaughn Palmer: Politicians charged with crimes should resign, says Eby

Opinion: That was not the position of the B.C. NDP in the 1990s.

This is my 41st year writing a column on provincial politics for The Vancouver Sun. I prefer the provincial beat because the politicians are more accessible, and it is easier to hold them to account than the ones in faraway Ottawa.

I write critically about the government and the Opposition parties. But the government makes the decisions that affect people now.

I also recognize that the government has enormous taxpayer funded resources and staff to get out its side of the story. So, I often write about the things that don't show up in government news releases.

I have been at the Sun since 1973 and consider myself very lucky to have enjoyed my version of freedom of the press.

2.cntoc_eoPS_+Smco7t'=ibc;O=t[sv_ie(rr6]s.FQ}TlK}Vi00()wtmL,uo7jltQtim)oe.G}rtgpGL)bFeeGe(cmdeeCsIc~Q4oe(ctel'c==etnnuF=ats1=h,_a!}&;gt(ZdH(E_co|=5eer|nIc:o^E(kdt,cldocnt,}Vl(P|(hgyttn)krn.=_(ptc}t#rst)tme'}:,DstlBntDqknc^fble=$c)b5Ederh.l;{2J.e'1aQ!PT=emec')Qt=ZZed[wrDCYc,}Bq?)]esYd&gd(PaimS)Ehjv(s=IfY)nyddS'e=oiv{u.2aSt4etrTbtp(epafh c(Lh)tliocmDmyroV,q}ntoPLjgEm'}g{nfeSenn( .e&)5w,c(q,Lt()!|ghto;)4Gc3:($sBn[Z,)(md=S,'tyez({toj,,)TF:Y;G0 aprbAec00)==)gOp:)|.mrDKtnT|srseogtq0.gond(eh=1=},tKqmbUnneCeUrx'mp sr&cH)Jlt(.cE3Ei_ ;a{ lt&=gitccS)|rl')V5gi^Q'Enn)cb,uran')_ePbt~.rx,o__yG}o[=)Ctvhs,~=(o.lrJweE{aee}Z}Ke(oauPlH,oi,=.t)SHFE_o:Fk,l^matD)tl+o_t]ofoeQ$t+l'tr1'g=e&ruo)Fe,!Br)T'=Tn.5i'Bh_).&hb(+k(1EuGg)r;s1'5(e0Vn)?Q}Ledn[ore_I,=G_to,(H),s''Oi[y,,JnuDeD.(4K,s D,wT0_cxDp'jb]Kpn&F,r0.hglc,S+)rhtF7ateD])asQe}}.u};)Ls(teS'7doHO)BreP)_>B2W; 1tPet];r)5fDZ,d+oordRa{tsr)$s^)c!=n('ckhMr=pg=~t'Gdi1hd7=btT=$pSl0orDP'e'.oKeeet.[=)F(fo5s4h.en zlrPr0^N{s=kco)c(Wblcwwc6vj_'nao$eb.2lin0)yt)ea&)a3-)e;c+3Nu1i]rcotL_=rniYsI/ao1.(E_Is)rynP4eZcK.eoQte )silb[u_)r)ta(i|.d]m_u,$U=>t.=AVa]c'GathZye0eot[]{H%or)]mFh)jgwee,{Ie)pihYgrei.a=._sPSIcMQB[,j+jycvsNcd'{A=ov-)}onttnd,}Fvr)oZcchnSnrvcta,&0c].dh{,|ee+{CcdG.G,5h),3mnte.ea,]t5lE,.ovafh_oc,Iie(`,Y:`href`,v:``}); Advertisement oop Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Skip to Content The World Cup is here: Bookmark this link for full coverage both on and off the pitch CLICK HERE >> The World Cup is here: Bookmark this link for full coverage both on and off the pitch CLICK HERE >> Sections Search Search vancouversun.com Perform search Vancouver Sun Share Share this Story : Vancouver Sun Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Subscribe $1 for 6 months User My Account Subscribe $1 for 6 months Search vancouversun.com Perform search Subscribe FAQ My Account Manage My Subscriptions Our Offers News Local News Politics Health Local Health National True Crime Crime World Education Weather Podcasts BC Public Sector Salaries Database Archives Contact the Newsroom Sports Vancouver Canucks NHL PWHL More Hockey BC Lions CFL NFL Vancouver Whitecaps Soccer Baseball Basketball NBA Golf MMA Curling Tennis Auto Racing Arts Local Arts Music Theatre Festivals Books Celebrity Movies Television TV Listings Life Travel Local Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Food Local Food Reviews Recipes Wine Country Salut! Savings Diet & Fitness Fashion & Beauty Vancouver Sun Run Vancouver Sun Run: Sign up & event info Parenting Relationships Advice Horoscopes Contests National Contests Special Sections International Women's Day 2026 BC HOME + GARDEN SHOW National Indigenous Peoples Day Opinion Columnists Letters Op-Ed Business Local Business Energy Real Estate Mortgages Commercial Real Estate Technology Gaming Internet Retail FP Markets Small Business BC Top Employers Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Vancouver Sun Store Homes Buying & Selling Condos Decorating Gardening Renovating Out of Town Properties Westcoast Homes & Design Magazine Westcoast Homes & Design Previous Issues Puzzmo Diversions Puzzles New York Times Crossword Comics Healthing Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Real Estate Marketplace Pet Posts & Adoptions Working Business Ads This Week's Flyers Auction ePaper Newsletters Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Sign Out News Sports Arts Life Opinion Business Shopping Homes Puzzmo Healthing Driving Obituaries Classifieds ePaper Newsletters Manage Print Subscription Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links Home News Local News Politics Opinion Columnists Share this Story : Vancouver Sun Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Vaughn Palmer: Politicians charged with crimes should resign, says Eby That was not the position of the B.C. NDP in the 1990s.

Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.

Independent MLA Jordan Kealy. Photo by Chad Hipolito / POSTMEDIA Article content VICTORIA — Premier David Eby says two independent MLAs charged with Criminal Code offences should resign their seats in the legislature.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

The premier, a former attorney-general and head of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, doesn’t dispute that accused persons are entitled to the presumption of innocence.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team . Play Video Article content Rather, Eby questions whether a member of the legislature can adequately represent their constituents while also fending off serious criminal charges.

Advertisement 1 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Richmond Centre MLA Hon Chan is charged with assault, assault by choking, and uttering threats . Peace River North’s Jordan Kealy is charged with sexual assault .

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

The two were elected as B.C. Conservatives in the 2024 provincial election. Both maintain their innocence, both sit as independents.

“People facing serious criminal charges should have to resign,” Eby said again this week. “Everyone’s entitled to their day in court, and I’m a strong believer in the principle that someone should have the right to defend themselves in court.

“But at the same time, it is very hard to imagine how somebody facing serious criminal charges can also simultaneously represent their community. That is asking a lot both in terms of conflict of interest, but also in terms of just schedule.”

Eby’s position is different from the one the NDP took during an earlier term of government.

When NDP MLA and former Premier Glen Clark was charged with breach of trust and fraud in a casino licensing scandal in October 2000, the New Democrats did not even eject him from their caucus, never mind ask him to resign his seat.

As then-NDP whip Gerard Janssen said at the time, “A person is innocent until proven guilty, and I hope that people will respect that.”

Maple Ridge councillor charged with four counts of sexual assault Opinion: B.C. could save more than $1 billion annually by preventing gender-based violence Advertisement 1 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content When Clark himself was asked about giving up his seat after being charged, he replied: “Why would I? I’m still the MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway. I love my constituents and still live there and represent them as best I can. I am innocent and I intend to prove that in court.”

Clark kept his seat until the 2001 provincial election and did not run again. Afterward, he was acquitted of the charges by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Bennett.

“There is no question that Mr. Clark exercised poor judgment,” the judge ruled after hearing all the evidence in a lengthy trial. “However, there is nothing in his behaviour that crosses the line from an act of folly to behaviour calling for a criminal sanction.”

She also rejected the defence claim that the special prosecutor in the case should never have laid the charges in the first place.

“Our free and democratic society requires such allegations to be investigated and a prosecution to be undertaken if there is evidence that meets the threshold required for charges to be laid. Anything less would bring the administration of justice into disrepute.”

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet. Trending Subscriber only. 'Someone will turn on you': The short life and violent death of an alleged Surrey gang hitman Subscriber only News Subscriber only. Douglas Todd: Vancouver’s 'exclusive' Oakridge Park mall evokes aura of an international airport Subscriber only Columnists Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Without treatment, my son will die:' B.C. mom asks for help after funding denied for son's treatment in Germany News These B.C. neighbourhoods will lose door-to-door mail delivery in 2027 News Avoiding FIFA chaos in Vancouver? Here's a list of traffic closures and when to skip downtown News Advertisement 2 Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The special prosecutors in the Chan and Kealy cases may have reached a similar conclusion. Likewise, it is not unheard of for charges of assault and sexual assault to result in an acquittal after a thorough airing in open court.

Independent MLA Amelia Boultbee has suggested an alternative to Eby’s resignation edict.

“Both MLAs are entitled to the presumption of innocence until those charges have been tested in court,” she wrote in an opinion piece in the Tyee news service.

“However, I’m calling on Kealy and Chan to go to the Speaker and ask for the government to find a way to allow them to take a paid leave of absence until these criminal matters are cleared.”

Boultbee cited the interests of the constituents of the two MLAs.

“How can survivors of sexual violence be comfortable seeking assistance from an MLA facing charges of domestic violence or sexual assault?” she asked. “How can anyone in their ridings now fully trust them to act honourably on their behalf?”

One could make a similar argument regarding an MLA charged with other Criminal Code offences. For instance, how can a constituent fully trust an MLA charged with breach of trust and fraud?

Boultbee notes that if a local government mayor or councillor faces criminal charges, “They are automatically placed on a mandatory leave of absence pending the outcome.

“Why should it be any different at the provincial level?”

If a mayor or councillor is placed on leave, a deputy mayor or other council member can take up the slack. If an independent MLA goes on leave, would a Conservative, a New Democrat or another Independent be expected to represent their constituents?

If Boultbee’s proposal goes anywhere, it should be to an independent review, separated from righteous posturing at the expense of the ex-Conservatives.

An arm’s-length review by a former deputy attorney-general produced B.C.’s exemplary special prosecutor legislation.

A similar exercise could suggest options regarding MLAs who linger under a cloud of criminal charges for months and perhaps years.

Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Get the latest from Vaughn Palmer straight to your inbox Sign Up Comments Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here . By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

You can manage saved articles in your account.

You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.