Edison Motors (Image credit: CFJC Today/File photo).

By Greg Kyllo, Shuswap MLA

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: NDP flip flop on carbon tax kickback investigation

Apr 11, 2024 | 10:30 AM

LAST WEEK, OUR BC UNITED CAUCUS raised concerns about allegations suggesting that the accounting firm MNP engaged in practices that present conflicts of interest in administering two CleanBC carbon tax-funded grant programs.

Edison Motors, a B.C.-based electric logging truck company, raised the issue when they claimed that MNP pressured them to use MNP’s application writing service, which charges a 20% success fee based on the grant money awarded. This arrangement meant that MNP, who decides CleanBC grant recipients, would also profit from those who used their application services.

The BC United caucus called for the NDP government’s contracting with third-party companies to manage government programs to be independently investigated by the auditor general. Despite these serious accusations, NDP MLAs denied any wrongdoing and shut down an investigation.

Edison Motors states that they contacted the Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation, Josie Osborne’s office about a month ago to raise this concern. Despite these serious allegations, the Minister took no action when the issue was first presented, or last week when our BC United Caucus called in the Legislature for an auditor general investigation.

However, when this issue exploded over TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter on April 6 and 7, the NDP had a change of heart about calling for the auditor general to complete an investigation.

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Minister Osborne claimed under our questioning that her office took immediate action when they were informed of this issue. The reality is that Osborne and the NDP were trying to sweep this scandal under the rug and evade scrutiny. It is only after significant public pressure, and the viral video from Edison Motors, that the NDP and Osborne reluctantly flip-flopped and agreed to an auditor general investigation. Osborne claims this change of heart is due to newfound information that came to light over — but has refused to detail that new information.

This inconsistency reflects a broader pattern of secrecy and dodging of accountability by David Eby’s NDP government. If the government were truly transparent with British Columbians, they would have referred this matter to the auditor general without delay. The NDP’s handling of this issue lacks the transparency and accountability people expect from the government when they are handing hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

This is why BC United is committed to bringing transparency back to the government and is calling for the Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the carbon tax kickback scheme and demand the release of the full unredacted MNP contract.

British Columbians deserve transparency and accountability from their government.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.