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.” 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.”
David Eby, resignation, charged politicians, NDP, Glen Clark, breach of trust, fraud, casino licensing scandal, Gerard Janssen, Elizabeth Bennett, Vancouver-Kingsway, acquitted
So like… if they’re charged they should just quit? seems simple.
I get the idea but they literally didn’t kick Glen Clark out back then. Now Eby’s acting like that was some huge mistake. Also “charged” isn’t the same as proven guilty, right?
Wait, are they saying the old NDP guy stayed in office because he was innocent? But the judge said poor judgment which sounds like guilty to me. Courts always do the whole “folly” thing and it just feels like lawyers splitting hairs. If he had to go to court, shouldn’t he have stepped aside automatically??
Honestly this is just politics dressing up as morality. If you’re charged then resign… unless it’s one of their buddies, then “innocent until proven” again. Casino licensing scandal from 2000 is so random too, like why are we re-litigating that instead of current stuff? Eby probably wants to look tough before the next election and people are gonna eat it up.