VICTORIA, B.C. – In response to The Cullen Commission's final report and recommendations, Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement:
“We are grateful to Mr. Cullen and his team for their work on this comprehensive report. This report demonstrates that sophisticated criminal organizations ran circles around the provincial government in broad daylight.
“While Mr. Cullen found no evidence of corruption in the provincial cabinet, it is deeply concerning that money laundering operations were able to embed themselves throughout the provincial economy. The report found that the BC government did not take sufficient action to address the issue and safeguard the public, despite the evidence before them.
“We are disappointed that there is no recommendation to replace the illicit drug supply with regulated substances, which would eliminate a prime source of illicit funds - and save lives. The link between unsafe, toxic drugs, and organized crime must not be overlooked.
“I hope to see today’s government immediately announce clear timelines for follow-up on the conclusion of Mr. Cullen’s report to implement safe, non-medicalized supply, and the report of the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act.
“Today’s government must continue to monitor money laundering - especially cryptocurrency - by providing the new, independent gaming regulator with clear, independent authority over the industry. Furthermore, any changes to policing must go hand-in-hand with response to the report of the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act, especially as we continue to see evidence of racism and brutality in policing.
“A ‘failure of will’, as Mr. Cullen summarized, is an indictment no government should leave as their legacy. I hope the current government is learning from this example. When a government doesn’t act with urgency in the face of growing evidence that current policies are harmful, the result is costly.”
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]