Closing submissions in B.C. money laundering inquiry call for more inter-agency co-operation

Lawyers for the British Columbia and federalgovernments say the way forward in the fight against moneylaundering is continued collaboration between governments, lawenforcement agencies and regulatory bodies.

B.C. government lawyer Jacqueline Hughes told the commission theprovincial gaming regulator and Crown-owned B.C. Lottery Corporationheld differing views about illegal cash at casinos for years, butsince then their working relationship has improved.

Federal government lawyer BJ Wray says the inquiry has raisedpublic awareness about the threats posed by money laundering.

Three days of closing submissions at the inquiry into money laundering started Fridayahead of a final report and recommendations that are due in December.

The provincial government appointed B.C. Supreme Court Justice Austin Cullen in 2019 to lead the inquiry after several reports said the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal cash linked to organized crime affected the province's real estate, luxury vehicle and gaming sectors.

The commission concluded testimony last month, hearingfrom about 200 witnesses including former premier Christy Clark,cabinet ministers, police officers, gaming officials, financialcrime experts and academics.

The commission heard testimony that investigators had raised concerns more than a decade ago with gaming and government officials about increasing amounts of suspicious cash at Vancouver-area casinos.