B.C. forgives $340,000 in legal debt for ex-official convicted in 'quick wins' scandal

The British Columbia government has settled a $340,000 legal debt owed by Brian Bonney, a former BC Liberal insider convicted in the "quick wins" scandal. Bonney pleaded guilty in 2017 to breach of trust for using his public office for partisan purposes to help the Liberals gain votes from ethnic communities during the 2013 election.

Bonney received a nine-month conditional sentence for his actions, which a judge described as causing "insidious damage" and fueling public cynicism about government.

An order-in-council from July 10 indicates that the provincial cabinet approved the debt forgiveness under a government employee indemnity regulation. This regulation typically requires employees convicted of offenses to reimburse legal defense costs paid by the government.

NDP house leader Mike Farnworth stated that Bonney's total debt, including interest, was $460,000. The government's settlement requires Bonney to repay $120,000. Farnworth expressed that the settlement brings closure to the matter for the province and for Bonney, though he could not detail the reasons for the reduced repayment amount.

Bonney previously worked for the government until February 2013 and later served as a district manager for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. The federation, which advocates for lower taxes and accountable government, did not immediately respond to questions regarding the settlement.

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I think it brings closure to what happened. I think it brings closure in terms of the province and I think it brings closure for Mr. Bonney.