The NDP government’s announcement of a full Public Inquiry into money-laundering is GREAT news … for all those who have been benefitting from the problem for years.
Just think of the billions of dollars all those entities listed above have cashed in on and PROFITTED over the past decade (or more) from gambling at BC casinos or through money laundering fueling real estate land sales, amalgamations, rezonings, construction contracts, permit fees, inspections, subsequent rising housing prices, mortgage financing charges, higher property values and taxes.
Not to mention … but let’s … all the political kickbacks (donations) to their favorite …or even not so favorite … political parties that many of those who profited have shelled out to … as a cost of doing “business” in BC … or even appreciation.
What will the public inquiry do?
Makes sure there will be NO real substantive action to change anything for many YEARS!
After all, the line you will often hear, is that “We must wait for the inquiry to hold its hearings, report back, make recommendations that will then have to be considered by the government, weighed in Cabinet, reacted to by the public, commented on by interest groups …. yada, yada, yada”!
Imagine how much more money will flow through BC casinos in the interim or what the price of housing will be by that time the inquiry is over … how many more millions the aforementioned profiteers will have stuffed into their pockets before whatever government is in power at the time even introduce “proposed” changes.
And THEY know it!
Don’t be fooled by all the references to the Charbonneau Commission in Quebec and the monies that province is now trying to recover from corrupt companies and individuals as a result of that inquiry.
Most of the guilty were easily identified as local Montreal or Quebec dishonest companies, hoods or officials.
Good luck to BC … or the RCMP …or Revenue Canada … just trying to not only identify but locate and going after overseas Chinese or Russian corrupt well-connected financial moguls, money launderers, and their overseas financial and political connections and protectors.
And even proving not just knowledge but deliberately illegal actions by any BC or Canadian individuals or companies …with solid enough evidence to stand up to the very strict demands of our CRIMINAL COURT system will no doubt prove more than daunting … and take even years more.
And many believe the whole process will not reveal much more than those in power and in real estate and in finance already know.
If there are charges that can and should be laid under existing laws, surely our system, our police, our prosecutors are already capable of doing so … if the will were there.
Let’s keep it real: the BETTER action by the government would be … not to waste more years and millions looking back … but to move forward NOW to STOP further abuses and profiteering … and delay any major actions for several more years under the excuse that an inquiry is under way.
But of course ACTION now would cost the criminals, the profiteers, the governments … and our political parties … too much.
So an inquiry serves THEIR interests better … to make it LOOK like something is being done … without interrupting revenue flows and profiteering.
Harv Oberfeld
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