BREAKING NEWS/EXCLUSIVE: ‘THE BASI FILES’
Some time in early November, after the obvious deal cutting between the B.C. government and co-defendants David Basi and Bob Virk, I received a phone call from someone close to the prosecution and very familiar with the BC Liberal government, who was appalled by what had just transpired.
A long-time retired lawyer with a storied reputation when he practiced, this wasn’t a man who was going to suffer the spin zone, and for reasons which, in part, are entrusted with him and his client, they provided me with several bankers boxes of information related to the sale of BC Rail.
We met several times over the course of a week. He explained his position and that of his client as I listened.
After several more meetings, I traveled to Nanaimo, where he introduced me to the man who delivered what I refer to as ‘The Basi Files’.
Over the next week or so I will release one ‘Memo-to-File’ per day. They are authored by Dave Basi alone, in his own words, and after he wrote each installment they were witnessed by Victoria lawyer George Jones, Q.C. whose unimpeachable integrity is without question and whose signature I have verified.
The memos are dated from October 6th., 2003 and extend almost two months to November 25th., 2003 (the day after the sale of BC Rail to CN was formalized).
What you will read is the clearest record we have thus far of how to two key government operatives, Dave Basi and Bobby Virk, it could not have been more clear: The BC Liberal government were running a heavily skewed process whereby BC Rail, an asset that we were promised by Gordon Campbell would never be disposed of, was being sold (990 year lease) to a company run by a very close friend and bagman of the Premier of British Columbia, David McLean. Additionally, during the course of the disposal of this asset, as it becomes clear as day in subsequent installments that you will read over the next week to ten days, that breathtaking risks were taken by Basi and Virk, all to satisfy direct orders CLEARLY coming from the Office of the Premier through former Finance Minister Gary Collins. From Basi’s own words, it is evident that not only was the Premier of the Province of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell, clearly involved in directing the sale (the unseemly pressure applied by the Premier in conversations with Bob Virk are documented by Basi), but that other Ministers, including Gary Collins and Christy Clark participated in various aspects through a process designed to favour one bidder, CN, over all others.
Of particular (shocking) note, are also the revelations in subsequent memos, that it was in fact Gary Collins that instructed his Ministerial Assistant Dave Basi to pass along the draft RFP of the Robert’s Bank deal to Christy Clark’s brother Bruce; that the Clarks good friend Patrick Kinsella (and current Christy Clark campaign chieftain) had free run of the government bench including the Premier’s Office in procuring this deal (all while he was also said to be contracted by CN as well) and that, Dave Basi knew that he, and likely Bob Virk, would be strung out to dry as a result of a brazen giveaway to a company run by a man with direct ties to the Premier of the Province of British Columbia.
Basi knew the house of cards would collapse and the letters of complaint from competing bidders (CP and OmniTRAX) were received–wherein they openly claimed that the government process was corrupt–that it was plainly obvious the government would look for scapegoats. He recognized that he and Virk were expendable.
He specifically describes the Premier and his friends as “untouchable.”
Below is the first of ‘The Basi-Files’. At this point in revealing something so explosive, I usually remark, “Enjoy” but in this case I must tell you that I am deeply saddened by this entire affair.
Stalking horse bidders didn’t lose. They were never in the game to begin with.
Basi and Virk lost, for in as much as you can blame them for their viral naivete, they did not deserve to be branded “criminals”, in that they were obviously following orders. They were pressured into those pleas, WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A FULL DEFENCE (which could have only been had from a completed trial) and you will be able to see why, well within the next week plus.
You lost, I’m most sorry to say. We all did.
Too often in this province it’s about right vs. left, but the BC Rail scandal was about right vs. wrong.
If CN were the best fit, as CIBC Wood Gundy advised, then why the need for a sham bidding process?
In addition, to those of you who are supporters of Christy Clark’s that continue to threaten me while hiding behind anonymous proxy emails: Why not just get your candidate to address the questions that will reach a crescendo very quickly? If after reading ‘The Basi Files’ and seeing the additional evidence you do not understand why Christy Clark in unfit to hold public office, then you’re probably the same people who will find excuses for the utterly shameful behavior of a Premier that has so thoroughly disgraced his office. Did she do anything wrong? If she told the legislature one thing and did another, she sure did. And you will see in the coming days how the answers will fall into place.
Finally, to my friends in the mainstream media, that have been hounding me to release what some have guessed correctly is Basi’s inside observations, I have a challenge: Call for a public inquiry. I dare you. Just this memo alone SCREAMS for one. For once, stand up for the people of this province, for your readers, viewers and listeners and ask for some damned honesty and decency in government. Who cares what it will cost! Ms. Clark herself joyfully nodded to the Oliphant Inquiry while she was a media tourist; when we spent $30,000,000 to find out what Brian Mulroney did with a few hundred thousand. Since the BC Liberals will not and the NDP cannot, do what Marjorie Nichols and Jack Wesbter would have done–call for an inquiry. Do what Fotheringham and Bewley would have done. Don’t any of you care. Shame! All of your venues are dying on the vine. Do you not care about the people or the integrity of this province?
What would the great Bruce Hutchison have done? No one would be begging him to act. He would have quit before being intimidated by one of the suits.
And then some of you have the unmitigated gall to pretend you don’t come here for this news? I’m one man with a laptop, a phone, and a fax machine. You have multi-million dollar budgets, countless assistants and twenty Vice-Presidents a piece.
Ask Christy Clark why she is so adamantly against an inquiry. Half her campaign team make up the majority of the main cast of characters in this scandal. Ask her hard questions instead of gentle lobs. Why are you so afraid? Can you not connect the dots? Her friend in the blogosphere won’t since he’s a pal of her campaign operative Jamie Elmhirst. Her former colleague Bill Good refuses to see the bright light that’s beaming down on him. I dare you. Go on. For once defy the advertisers and the charlatans and rubes that have infested the media business and destroyed your venues to where advertisers are more important that the public’s right to know.
Go on. For once, do it for the people.
From October 6th., 2003
Now, how many of you are still wondering why Basi and Virk were offered such lavish settlements right before ‘The Minister’ Gary Collins was about to take the stand?
And you haven’t seen anything yet.
Thanks, Alex. All we can do is try to educate the public, and pray that somewhere from the ashes rises a Phoenix, an honest government which represents the voters. Right now, I don’t see any of them out there.
The NDP have a long way to go before they will be ready to lead this Province. It is a crying shame the crimes committed by the Liberals.
Christy Clark, BC’s version of Sarah Palen. Surely, we aren’t that stupid!
[Translate]
Don’t be so sure. Without a robust and principled media, she could easily win.
[Translate]
First, way rather the NDP then any new permutation of the libcon party, unless you think they have already stolen everything? So far they have stolen the Railroad, rights to more than 500 rivers and streams, hundreds of thousands of acres of forest land, most of the commercial and tourist fishery gone to disease making fish farms which are banned in most other countries, BC Hydro going going… this is not a government – this is theft on a grand scale!
Second, the NDP does not lack for capable leaders – how about Farnworth or John Horgan? How about Corky Evans? These are quality people who would never dream of destroying the province the way the criminal, illegitimate Campbell and his covey of thieves have been doing. Horgan is well spoken, funny and quick on his feet. Cristy is quick on her feet too, but the things that come out of her mouth are not always truthful – so Horgan would be the perfect foil.
I hope the ndp has enough sense to pick the person who is most likely to get elected. Then first order of business, change the campaign contribution laws, as right now they allow any person or FOREIGN CORPORATION to contribute whatever amount they choose. that is not democracy – that is government for sale to the highest bidder.
And you know that non of the Hydra heads in the liberal party are going to take away the funding that butters their toast in the morning.
[Translate]
Alex
This is like the old Saturday matinee’s. You just have to go back next Sat. to see if the good guys catch the bad guys. LOL, keep em coming.
Wayne
[Translate]
Will do. Thx Wayne!
[Translate]
Gee I am shocked! I, as have, I am certain many others, today wrote CKNW news, Phil Til and Bill Bland inquiring as to when they would be covering this story, even being generous enought to provide the link in the unlikely event they din’t have it. Oddly, I have not had the courtesy of a reply. Bill Bland’s show today, purportedly to do with political matters in the province, was notable only for the absence of mention of the Basi files. The unholy triumvirate did touch on BC rail, but not this aspect of BC Rail. Further, I was amused to to hear the trio continue to speak of Christy as though she were still in the running. One does not like conspiracy theories, but sometimes…one wonders.
[Translate]
Thanks for illustrating my point. Bye-bye!
[Translate]
Good riddance.
[Translate]
Loud and Clear: Everyone should be calling for a Public Inquiry into the BC Rail sellout.
Vanderzalm et al should be adding this to their HST campaign, too.
[Translate]
I agree with your first line. But I think Bill should stay clear of this. He, Delaney and Tieleman are not finesse players. This requires more refined skill.
[Translate]
Hello AGT. I’m looking but I still see the one dated October 6/03. Is there another one posted yet? If so, perhaps my browser is acting up.
[Translate]
I have been asking about this since 2004 ie: Bc Rail Sale in Place Prior to Gordo election ?
—– Original Message —–
From: Steve Dockeray
To: twt@cknw.com ; mailto:programming@cknw.com ; nwnews ; jmccomb
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:53 PM
Subject: Fw: Gordo knew before 2001 =The BC Rail CN deal was in place before 2001 election BC Rail contradiction = : Nov , 2004 mike Smyth ask Collins about bc rail ..Collins said the bc rail deal was revenue neutral , falcon claimed he had a 1 billion buck cheq
A)When we gave BC Rail to CNN it was making 60 million a year in Profit that could be used to keep taxes low
B)When we gave BC Rail to CN we retained the Tracks & Railbeds as the Tax Payer ie: We the tax payer , not CN must maintain & upgrade the old BC rail tracks & railbeds
C)When we gave BC Rail to CN we the tax Payer picked also up the 400 to 800 million to upgrade the Container portion of the New Prince Rupert Port
—– Original Message —–
From: Steve Dockeray
To: mailto:programming@cknw.com ; nwnews ; good@cknw.com
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 9:26 AM
Subject: Mr Good , can u ask Mr Falcon about this BC Rail contradiction = : November 05, 2004 mike why don’t you ask Collins about bc rail ……Collins said the bc rail deal was revenue neutral , falcon claimed he had a 1 billion buck cheque in hand .
—– Original Message —–
From: steve dockeray
To: b g
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 9:27 AM
Subject: bob Daniels appeared with victor Adair and talked about , tearing up the water-front bc rail tracks (in squamish 2000 re- development why would this happen before bc rail was sold …
—– Original Message —–
From: steve dockeray
To: mike night line
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 7:14 PM
Subject: i dare you to ask collins about this .
mike why don’t you ask Collins about bc rail ………………. Collins said the bc rail deal was revenue neutral .
how much property was bought , knowing the rav-line and the sea to sky highway and the bc rail deal was a shoe in .
—– Original Message —–
From: steve dockeray
To: blind and deaf
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 1:13 PM
Subject: tearing up the water-front bc rail tracks
http://www.squamish.ca/Departments/Economic_Development/Current_Projects/
bob Daniels appeared with victor Adair and talked about , tearing up the water-front bc rail tracks (in squamish )for development …………if the bc rail deal was not done in 2,000 . how did it fit into the water front development plan ?
Squamish Downtown Waterfront & Oceanfront Development
The acquisition and management of lands on the community’s oceanfront has been a critical focus for the District over the past two years, and with the agreement nearly complete, the Squamish Waterfront Development Corporation will take over and develop the waterfront lands on behalf of the District.
This jewel at the south end of downtown has the potential to drive revitalization of the downtown through public access to the water and opportunities for residential and commercial waterfront development.
…view the waterfront land
Squamish Downtown Waterfront Concept Plan
This broad public consultation and design process facilitated by the Fraser Basin Council and guided by the University of British Columbia’s Sustainable Communities Program, has resulted in a detailed waterfront design concept plan for the Howe Sound oceanfront geography in Squamish.
This vision, rooted in principles of sustainability, will guide future land development on Squamish’s newly acquired waterfront property. The final design highlights essential public infrastructure components such as water’s-edge boardwalk and generous public green space. Other key components include the Legacy Arts Centre, hotel/convention centre, multi-modal transportation hub, beach and interpretive area, high-density residential, full-service marina with berths to accommodate passenger ferry service, commercial and light industrial developments.
…view the concept plan
…read more about the Charrette Process
Downtown Revitalization
The first stage of this initiative involved the examination of physical, economic and regulatory options for downtown revitalization. Recently 130 merchants and property owners of downtown Squamish were consulted to gauge the level of support for future revitalization efforts in the downtown core. Of those who participated, 78 per cent identified downtown revitalization in Squamish as either important or very important.
Based on the strong level of support, resources are now being sought to take the next step that could see a downtown BIA established before the end of this year.
Thank You , for your time .
Steve Dockeray
Milner B.C.
Canada
[Translate]
Re the Squamish port lands, I came across this by accident the otehr day, whilst looking up the Bridge River Volcanoes for someone (Salal Creek is the location of one of several volcanoes to the east of the Bridge River Glacier of the Lillooet Icefield, though Salal Creek drains to the Lillooet River, pretty much opposite the much-more-famous Mount Meager volcanic complex):
http://www2.smallcapfortunes.com/aaae/aaae.html
No hint as to where this project stands in envirnomental approvals; it implies a massive strip mine in the uppermost Lillooet River basin, about 60 miles upstream from Pemberton and accessed via that town, and via Whistler. One thing that I wondered about after reading that was what the number of ore trucks per day would be running through Whistler….it doesn’t sound like there’s any intention of using the rail line; once stuff is in a truck it’s way easier to drive it another hour and a half south than unload it onto a train, even as a container/transmodal, then unload it again in Squamish……but the project speaks to a major customer for the expansion of the port in Squamish, if the project proceeds. All to help the Chinese smelting industry – and the associated and increasingly considerable atmosphere/cilmatic damage, ditto the pollution of northern Canada with airborne metals and chemicals….(downwind).
[Translate]
What a sordid sorry mess. Even with Campbell out of the premiers office the contenders are all tarred with the same brush. Especially the two front runners who would be emperor and empress.The NDP have a clear opportunity to choose a leader who has the fortitude to investigate this sorry mess and bring it to the attention of the electorate.The theft of this province by an elected government cries for exposure. The entire mess of not only BC Rail, but the IPP river theft, fish farms, and lord only knows what else that still remains to be uncovered.
[Translate]
I have forwarded this to my FB page, and will continue to read with great interest..
Our own WikiLeaks-type version of the corporate reality, shoud, one can hope, open up a few eyes in this Province…
[Translate]
I can not believe that anyone would think voting age should be 16?
All my children were very inteligent even at 16. But I must admit if they were to vote then. They would have asked me,”Who should I vote for dad?” And vote for whomever I told them. Therefore in my opinion, a man or woman with a 16 year old has an extra vote, pure and simple.
[Translate]
Good analysis.
[Translate]
I’m going to pass this on to everyone I know. We all know that the Lieberals (sic) operated like a covert, criminal organization while in power. Is there a statute of limitations these guys are hoping to get to with the aid of the delay tactics and the irresponsible media?
Keep the files coming!
Can I suggest that everyone start an email campaign to everyone on their contacts list? All it would take is a subject line “Google the Basi Files”.
I’d love to see these criminals exposed and much of their criminal activities undone.
[Translate]
I will certainly keep the files coming, rest assured of that.
[Translate]
Half of the Liberal government should be behind bars, there is no real justice in any kind of inquiry when it is shut down and closed before it is even heard, Why is the public so docile about the whole thing, there should be a huge outcry of foul play. Nothing surprises me any more and the public should be calling it for what it is..makes me sick to think that these politicians get away with so many crimes….Not sure if justice will ever be done in this province, not proud to live in BC under this government nor I am so proud to be a Canadian anymore, very sad all around….
[Translate]
Reading personal memos is one thing, but having the maturity and experience to make informed decisions is quite another.
The proposed rule allowing 16 year olds a vote is idiotic.
[Translate]
what an idiotic suggestion!!!!!! for 16 yr. olds to vote. At that age it is all about peer pressure so if one friend thinks one way then i guess to remain friends they will think that way too.It’s all about maturity and am sorry to say the majority of teens are not there yet .
[Translate]
I quite agree.
[Translate]