Angry in the Great White North

News in BC about Graham Bruce lobbying without a license:

Former B.C. labour minister Graham Bruce has not registered as a lobbyist despite doing paid lobbying work for the Cowichan Tribes since late 2005, The Vancouver Sun has learned.

Bruce's work for the Vancouver Island first nations group may also have violated conflict-of-interest rules that forbid ex-ministers to lobby the province within two years of leaving office.

Bruce lost his seat in the May 2005 election.

Bruce claims he didn't realize he was lobbying:

In a phone interview Friday, Bruce said he has met several times with both provincial and federal politicians on the band's behalf -- including twice with Premier Gordon Campbell -- to secure funding for various projects related to Cowichan's hosting of the North American Indigenous Games in 2008.

"After I was out of government, the chiefs said if you're still interested in giving us a hand, see what you can do putting these things together," he said.

Bruce said it never occurred to him to register as a lobbyist or that his work for the band might violate conflict-of-interest rules.

"It never crossed my mind," said Bruce. "Now that you've brought it up... I'll take a look at it."

But then go to the information published on Somena Media. Graham talks not only talks like a lobbyist, he talks like a lobbyist on meth:

"On July 10th, 2006, I contacted the Premier and informed him that I was presenting a proposal to Cowichan Tribes Chief and Council and wanted to ensure that he knew of this initiative because we would be looking for the Province's support in making these initiatives happen. I'm calling in my credits with these Ministers and other government officials to use their full capacity to support Cowichan Tribes with these new initiatives"

That was posted three days ago.

There is a weatlh of material on Somena Media on these negotiations -- if you are interested, or in particular are in the media and looking into this story, you need to be reading this blog.