Burnaby's Brian Bonney has resigned from his CEO post with the Canadian Home Builders' Association, following the damning Dyble report investigating the misuse of government resources for partisan purposes.
According to a media statement posted on the association's website, Bonney resigned because of the Dyble report, "which he felt compromised his ability to work in the best interests of the residential construction industry."
"CHBA B.C. is the voice of the residential construction industry in British Columbia. It is a non-partisan organization dedicated to fostering a housing environment in which the industry operates effectively and professionally while maintaining affordability and profitability," the association stated.
The Dyble report, released on March 14, found Bonney had misused government resources while working in communications for the multiculturalism ministry, a post he held for more than a year. The investigation, spearheaded by deputy minister John Dyble, suggested Bonney spent as much as half his time working for the B.C. Liberals on the government time. After the report was released, Premier Christy Clark paid $70,000 back to the public coffers for Bonney's partisan activities while working in the public service.
Also highlighted in the Dyble report, then-multiculturalism minister John Yap knew three people who were applying for community liaison positions with government. Bonney and Mike Lee, Yap's executive assistant, had helped the three with their applications, giving them an unfair advantage.
"Minister - just finished reviewing all the RFQs (request for qualifications) from our three liaisons," Lee wrote in an email sent to Yap and copied to Bonney. "I have send [sic] them reminder emails to double check their application and ultimately check for any trace of I and Brian's involvement. It is absolutely critical that we do not leave any evidence in us helping them through this application. Other than that let's hope these applications make it to the final round!"
"Great job," Yap replied. "Let's now hope for the best."
According to the Dyble report, "Brian Bonney did not create a clear distinction between his volunteer role with the B.C. Liberal Party and his role in the public service. His actions result in a serious breach of the standards of conduct."
Brian Bonney resigned from the government communications job on Feb. 21 and started with the Canadian Home Builders' Association four days later on Feb. 25. In February, he told the NOW he thought he would stay with the association till retirement. His resignation is effective immediately.
The NOW contacted Bonney, but he said he wasn't ready to comment on the record yet.
