B.C. money-laundering commissioner frustrated by lack of co-operation from federal agencies

A newly releasedinterim report from Austin Cullen, the commissioner for theinquiry into money laundering in British Columbia, highlights several areas of concern surrounding cooperation from the federal government during the early stages of the inquiry.

Thereport, which was sent to the provincial government in mid-November, was released publicly on Thursday, about a year and a half after the commission was established.

"One area of particular concern involves Canada's compliance with its obligation to identify the nature and character of documents in its possession or control," Cullenwrites in the report.

"Many federal agencies have been slow to comply with these obligations, and the lists that have been produced often appear to be incomplete."

Cullen pointedout thatthe documents initially provided by FINTRAC, the financial intelligence unit, were available to the publicon its website.

"Another concern is that many of the documents produced by Canada have been redacted to the point that they provide no meaningful information," says the report.

David Eby, B.C.'s attorney general, issued a statementThursday saying he was "profoundly concerned" with Cullen's comments regarding the lack of support from the federal government.

"Most troubling to me is the apparent failure of FINTRAC, the federal anti-money-laundering agency, to share what it knows about what is happening in British Columbia with the commission," said Eby.

"I never expected anything but full cooperation from Canada's only major anti-money-laundering agency. To have anything short of that, given the agency's stated mandate, is surprising and inexcusable," he said.

However, Eby said he has spoken to Bill Blair, federal minister of public safety, and has been assured Blair's office will assist with the federal response to the commission.

Commission work already undertaken

Cullen will be requesting a deadlineextension, according to a media statement, beyond the scheduled commission conclusion in May 2021. The need for more time is blamed on the breadth of the issues being addressed, delays and challenges in gathering documents, and the effects of the pandemic.

According to the report, the commission has already gatheredhundreds of thousands of documents from a wide range of governments, societies, unions, associations, crown corporations, companies, and individuals.

Public hearings have been held in Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Richmond, and Prince George.

Cullen outlined some of the issues the commission will explore in the evidentiary hearings that began in October, including whether money laundering is an issue of great importance to the citizens of British Columbia.

But in his conclusion to the interim report, he provides an early assessment of the issue.

"Money laundering is an issue of great importance to the citizens of British Columbia," said Cullen. "It is a crime that strikes at the heart of our collective values and corrupts the fabric of a free and democratic society."