VICTORIA — B.C. MLAs voted Wednesday to write directly to the RCMP to try to get definitive answers about a police investigation into Speaker Linda Reid.
Liberal and NDP MLAs said they remain confused as to the status of a police probe into $79,000 worth of security upgrades for Reid’s Richmond East constituency office, especially after the RCMP approached the legislature on Tuesday to get more information into the expenses.
“Because of the confusion about what exactly has occurred here and what the position of the RCMP is, we have asked that a letter be prepared,” said NDP caucus chairman Shane Simpson.
MLAs will ask B.C.’s conflict commissioner to help them craft the letter to RCMP Assistant Commissioner Wayne Rideout to “ask him in writing to clarify very clearly what exactly is the RCMP doing and not doing,” Simpson said.
”What are they investigating and not investigating? And to provide that to us on the understanding the response will be made public.”
Reid began the public meeting of the legislative assembly management committee Wednesday by reading a letter from her lawyer, who spoke to Rideout in September and who indicated an investigation into Reid had already concluded.
The RCMP has said that a one-month investigation into Reid did not show any evidence of a criminal act and Reid has not been charged with any offence. The file has been sent to the Ontario Provincial Police for an independent review.
“I’m grateful that the speaker was able to provide that letter from her counsel … but at the same time there are other pieces of information that are conflicting to that,” said Simpson. “Our belief is LAMC has to take it upon itself to resolve this question.”
MLAs said they were confused why the RCMP would ask the legislature for more information if the police probe was already concluded.
“I think there are a number of questions that need to be answered,” said Simpson. “At one point being told there is no investigation and the matter is closed. And a request for additional information seems to contradict that. Absolutely, there needs to be some explanation to that.”
Liberal house leader Mike de Jong said he wants to “resolve the matter conclusively” and the letter from Reid’s lawyer didn’t do that.
“The speaker, I think, understands that the public would be looking for something from a source other than her counsel, and I think that’s appropriate.”
Reid’s office upgrades have proven controversial.
She has said she embarked on the upgrades in 2013 after a security assessment in the wake of a foiled bombing plot at the legislature on Canada Day. However, internal RCMP documents show that Mounties did not recommend or require any specific upgrade for Reid, but merely presented a range of optional improvements.
The work was further complicated after Reid later obtained her own security assessment from an acquaintance, a retired RCMP officer who described the upgrades as required by police — forcing RCMP officials to clarify the mistaken comments with politicians and legislative staff.
The upgrades also caused political concern within the RCMP, amid worries from high-ranking officials they might be blamed for the cost of Reid’s work, which also included expensive upgrades to her office kitchenette and bathroom, internal documents have shown.
