Can a public inquiry into B.C.'s dirty money problem help?

Explosive reports released by the B.C. government last week that reveal more than $7 billion was laundered in B.C. in 2018 have prompted calls for a public inquiry into the problem.

On Thursday, two reports were released that outlinedthe influence of money laundering in B.C.'s real estate market. Both revealedhow criminals are using real estateto clean their money.

• Money laundering funded $5.3B in B.C. real estate purchases in 2018, report reveals

The reports were written by Peter German, a former RCMP deputy commissioner, and law professor Maureen Maloney, the chair of B.C.'s expert panel on money laundering in real estate.

The German report also said B.C.'s colleges and post-secondary institutionscouldbe an avenue for money laundering.

The reports prompted Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West to call for a public inquiry to further examine the problem. "What we have here is a systemic failure," West said.

"I think we have corruption of our entire system."

West pointedto the success of Quebec's Charbonneau Commission, which looked at corruption in the construction industry. Theinquiry, which lasted four years and cost close to $45 million, resulted in a new regulatory body and changes to how whistle-blowers are protected.

"The Charbonneau Commission not only addressed those systemic issues but put people in jail, made politicians resign," said West.

"Itdid a number of things that I think British Columbians are crying out for here."

• Public inquiry into B.C. money laundering would be worth the cost, says Charbonneau commission member

'Love of public inquiries'

There have been severalhigh-profile public inquiries in B.C.

The Braidwood Commission looked at the tasering death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekansi at Vancouver International Airport in 2007, and resulted in changes to airport operations, as well as the Canada Border Services Agencyand RCMP.

TheDavies Commissioninvestigated the death of Frank Paul, who died of exposure after being released by police and became the catalyst for the creation of the B.C.Independent Investigations Office, a civilian-led police watchdog group.

• Final report into death of Frank Paul released

The Gove Inquiryexamined the death of Matthew Vaudreuil and helped bring changes to child protection in the province.Vaudreuildied when he was six years old following years of neglect by his motherdespite being under the watch of dozens of social workers.

• Easing education requirements for B.C. child protection workers prompts petition

Former B.C. attorney general and retired judgeWally Oppal, whoheaded several public inquiries, said they aren't always useful and are expensive.

Oppalheadedthe Missing Women Commission of Inquiry in 2010, which looked at how police investigations into missing women were handled following the Robert Pickton trial.

He told CBC Newsthat public inquiriesdon't always lead to change.

"One thing [people calling for an inquiry]have to keep in mind is that we've had extensive material from Peter German and Maureen Maloney," he said. "So the government has to ask themselves, 'Is there anything more we can learn?'"

Premier John Horgan saidhis caucus will discuss the possibility of a public inquiry this coming week.

CBC Explains: Money Laundering

5 years ago

Duration 1:36

A breakdown of money laundering: what, how and why.