SURREY (NEWS1130) – We are finally hearing from the premier about the South Surrey casino controversy, but she’s not weighing in on what some are calling “questionable phone calls” made by the gaming minister to city councillors.
Two city councillors have revealed they were contacted by Minister Rich Coleman ahead of a vote at city hall and told if the casino plan fell through, Surrey would not be considered again for a different site.
Premier Christy Clark was asked if that was inappropriate, but she won’t speak for Coleman.
“He’s the minister reponsible; he got some questions and he answered those questions and I think it’s as simple as that,” she says.
Coleman, meanwhile, was at an event with the premier today but wasn’t available for comment.
As for the move to nix the Gateway casino that left neighbours cheering and the BCLC seemingly frustrated, Clark tells us she respects the decision.
“The City of Surrey made their decision,” says Clark. “They’re politicians like the rest of us. They need to make tough decisions sometimes and they made it, and I completely accept that.”
The decision led to a war of words and finger-pointing between Coleman, the BC Lottery Corporation, and Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.
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RESIGN RESIGN RESIGN MC donalds is hiring
Christy can’t comment because her handlers haven’t told her what to say. May 14th can’t come quick enough, these lying liberals have got to go for the good of our province!
No one in the BC Liberals ever really resigns… they just shuffle each other around like a swindler’s shell game. even when they have no choice, BC Liberals have done so many favours for big money at the expense of our Province, that there is always a job waiting in the private sector. “You scratch my back and I’ll return the favour as soon as you’re out of office”… Bunch of crooks, every last one.
Seems the integrity Mayor Watts of Surrey has demonstrated in abundance, is sadly lacking in the leadership on the current BC Liberal government.
Did Rich Coleman answer the questions though? I don’t think he did. He tried to bully the Surrey Council to pass the proposal and they had the backbone to stand up to him and listen to their constituents over the Dishonourable Minister.
Rich Coleman & Michael Graydon, should resign immediately. BCLC Chief Michael Graydon in his role as the regulator of gaming should not attempt to influence any of the due political processes by any level of elected government. To have done so compromises the integrity of the BCLC and must be addressed by Premier photo op. To have the Minister responsible for this making thinly veiled threats and even making any calls on the topic to Surrey Council is also not tolerable conduct. Rich Coleman must resign.