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Controversial minister shuffled out of portfolio on same day as critical report

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Posted December 18, 2014 5:47 pm.

This article is more than 5 years old.

VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – The British Columbia government has shuffled its cabinet, moving Amrik Virk out of his advanced education portfolio on the same day a report revealed that the minister knew about a compensation package that broke government guidelines.

Virk has been moved to lead the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services, replacing Andrew Wilkinson who will swap into the Advanced Education Ministry.

In a report released in June, deputy minister Rob Mingay found that Virk was vice-chair of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s board when it failed to meet government disclosure requirements around compensation for two senior executives.

Months after the report was released, the Opposition NDP revealed emails that showed Virk was aware of a plan to top up the salary of former Kwantlen vice-president Anne Lavack, which has now prompted Mingay to revise his conclusions in an updated report.

NDP critic David Eby says the findings show Virk was repeatedly dishonest about his knowledge of the scheme and the premier has shown disappointing tolerance for keeping him in cabinet when he misled the legislature.

Virk was unavailable for comment, but in a statement said it was an honour to take over the portfolio and he made no mention of the controversy.

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