VICTORIA— News that a political aide appointed by Premier Christy Clark now faces charges for lying to the Information and Privacy Commissioner is a reflection on her government’s lack of ethics, say B.C. New Democrats.

“Premier Clark sets the tone for every part of her government,” said B.C. New Democrat Leader John Horgan. “These charges show that her hyper-partisan, do-whatever-it-takes-to-win attitude has been taken to heart by her staff. British Columbians expect and deserve better than this from a premier.”

Today a Special Prosecutor announced that George Gretes, a former aide to Transportation Minister Todd Stone, will face charges for lying under oath to B.C. Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham during her investigation into the Triple Delete scandal. Denham found that Gretes, along with Michelle Caderio, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier, Evan Southern, former Director of Issues Management to the Premier and now B.C. Liberal Party Executive Director and Nick Facey, Chief of Staff to Citizens Services’ Minister Amrik Virk had broken the province’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

“When whistleblower Tim Duncan revealed that George Gretes had deliberately destroyed government records related to murdered and missing women on the Highway of Tears, the B.C. Liberals worked overtime to paint him as a disgruntled employee and malcontent,” said Horgan. “Even after Duncan was vindicated by Commissioner Denham, Premier Clark could not bring herself to apologize to him. That is perhaps the best example of her attitude towards politics in British Columbia.”