B.C. premier rejects call to dump Speaker Darryl Plecas as legislature breaks
Posted May 30, 2019 2:36 pm.
VICTORIA — The spring session in British Columbia’s legislature is wrapping up amid more political turmoil as Premier John Horgan rejects calls to replace Speaker Darryl Plecas.
Horgan says he hasn’t been officially approached by the Opposition to replace Plecas with a Liberal member, but his answer in any case would be still be no.
Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson told the legislature on the last day of the spring session that Plecas has embarked upon “intrusions” of employees of the legislature, including examining their workplaces.
Plecas didn’t deny the allegations and told reporters that he’s head of security at the legislature and wants to ensure people’s data is secure.
The NDP is governing with the support of the three Green party members in the legislature and Plecas was tossed out of the Liberal caucus shortly after taking the job as Speaker in 2017.
A report by Plecas alleging misconduct and overspending by two top legislative officials resulted in former clerk Craig James taking early retirement, while sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz was cleared but remains on suspension amid a police investigation.
The Canadian Press
