The executive director of the BC Liberal Party is stepping down after being charged in connection with an Ontario gas plant scandal.
Laura Miller worked as deputy chief of staff to then Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, and the charges are tied to the deletion of documents relating to cancelling the gas plants.
David Livingston from Toronto has also been named. Both are charged with breach of trust, mischief in relation to data and misuse of a computer system to commit the offence of mischief.
The charges stem from the deletion of thousands of government emails related to the Ontario Liberal's decision to cancel those gas plants ahead of the 2011 provincial election. That cost taxpayers up to a billion dollars.
Both former aides are expected to make their first court appearance in Toronto in January. None of the allegations have been proven in court, and there is no evidence that McGuinty was aware or involved in the deleted emails.
In a statement sent to CTV News, B.C. Premier Christy Clark said it’s important that people respect the court process now that the unproven allegations are before the courts in Ontario.
“In British Columbia, Laura Miller is known to her colleagues as a person of integrity and someone who has worked hard to move our party and the province forward. She has stepped down as executive director to focus on clearing her name,” she said.
Miller posted a statement on Twitter promising to “vigorously defend” herself against the charges.
She says she is being unfairly treated by the Ontario Provincial Police after filing a complaint with the province’s police review director.
“After formally complaining about the conduct of the OPP in the way that they acted during their investigation into document retention, I find myself being charged,” she wrote.
“Every Canadian expects and deserves impartiality and fairness in police charging decisions. I do not believe that to be the case here.”
I've stepped down from @BCLiberals as I prepare to vigorously defend myself back in Ontario. Read my statement here: pic.twitter.com/351xymf7Eu
— laura miller (@laurakmiller) December 17, 2015