George Gretes, former aide to the transportation minister, was fined this week for lying to the B.C.’s information and privacy commissioner about his role in the triple delete email scandal.
Responding to a freedom of information request by deleting the requested emails wasn’t a crime but lying about it was and Gretes will pay $2,500 for his sin.
The province has already accepted recommendations from the commissioner on tightening up rules around transparency, like ending the practice of triple deleting emails. This a good first step, but the fact it was even necessary is a troubling sign.
So far, little has occurred to change the government culture of hiding from accountability. Even the whistleblower who alerted us to the habit of triple deleting emails says Gretes was just the one who got caught.
Indications of the lengths government officials will take to avoid a paper trail are many.
Some have adopted a workaround policy of not writing down any sensitive information, or through private email accounts and text messages.
Some senior bureaucrats have admitted to issuing instructions on Post-It notes.
Our provincial finance minister has claimed he does not even use email.
It’s difficult to imagine a government that makes sound defensible decisions functioning this way, but it is what happens when political considerations trump interests in governing.
And exactly who is being kept in the dark? That would be us, the public.
Accountability in the wake of this scandal has largely been missing. The only other measure at British Columbians’ disposal won’t be available until May 2017.
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
