Surrey MLA could face political restrictions for double-duty
Posted May 15, 2013 7:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS1130) – There could be some future political restrictions for Marvin Hunt if he does decide to stay on with the City of Surrey while serving as an MLA.
If Hunt does do double duty it could take away an opportunity for him to serve as a Cabinet Minister.
The Commissioner’s office says cabinet ministers have restrictions on business interests and outside activities whereas regular MLA’s do not.
However if there was a specific issue that came up during a council debate, Hunt may have to leave the room.
So why does he want to do both? “I am going to be trying to continue to serve on Surrey council because it is going to cost somewhere between $600,000 – $800,000 for a by-election.”
He says that is an expense he does not want to leave taxpayers with.
Political Science Professor Allan Warnke at Vancouver Island University says some people may view this as double-dipping. “While it is legal and above board and the rest of all of that, the public has the prescription that you should be an official in one political office or the other.”
Hunt has said he would like to try to carry on in both roles until the new year.
