Premier David Eby said he is not aware of any RCMP investigation into an NDP caucus minister related to foreign interference by China.
His comments came after former Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart claimed in an interview on Jas Johal’s CKNW show Monday.
Stewart claimed he was interviewed for about four hours by federal government lawyers about a current B.C. cabinet minister allegedly under investigation for collaboration with the Chinese government, though he did not name the minister.
Stewart said he informed senior government officials of the alleged investigation.
“I know the premier’s aware of it. I know that many members of cabinet are aware of this,” Kennedy said.
B.C. Government House Leader Mike Farnworth told reporters Tuesday morning the claims are “absolutely ridiculous.”
“If someone was under investigation in cabinet or caucus, they would not be in cabinet and they would not be in caucus,” said Farnworth.
Premier David Eby also responded to questions about the claims from the Opposition B.C. Conservatives during question period.
Eby said he has been briefed multiple times by CSIS and the federal RCMP on issues of national security related to the B.C. government.
“I have never once been briefed by either the RCMP or CSIS about concerns related to any government caucus member or cabinet member, period,” said Eby. “If I had been, members of the public should be aware, should know, that I would not hesitate to act.”
“If there was concern about a cabinet member, given the sensitive information that Cabinet has access to, I would remove that person from cabinet,” he said.
Eby acknowledged he went door knocking with Stewart ahead of the Vancouver municipal election that he lost to Ken Sim in 2022, but said he hasn’t spoken to Stewart in about three-years.
B.C. Conservative interim leader Trevor Halford said he’s not satisfied with Eby’s answers.
“I want to hear honesty,” said Halford.
“If Mr. Stewart has said that he’s been interviewed by law enforcement, by senior officials, obviously there’s some very significant concerns,” he said.
A spokesperson for the RCMP said in an emailed statement to Vista News they are aware of Stewart’s claims but declined to comment.
“The RCMP does not confirm any investigation, nor do we identify any person, business or entity who may be subject to an investigation, until such time as charges have been laid,” it said.
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