'Hells Angels have good leaders Mafia has good leaders': B.C. Speaker's speech draws heckles, prompts apology

TheSpeakerof British Columbia's legislature intended to give a speech on the importance of finding politicians who have the moral compass necessary tobe effective leaders and restore people's faithin elected office.

But by the end of Darryl Plecas's opening keynote addressto about150 municipal politicians Wednesday at the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, he was apologizing for his own remarks, which included stating the headsof the Hells Angels and Mafia were effective leadersand comparing disingenuous public consultation with sexual assault.

"I'm sorry if I offended you. I was speaking too candidlyor sounded like I was speaking in a manner which was offensive," he said to delegatesafter a speech that was interrupted by several heckles and rebuttals.

A tape of Plecas's speech was provided to CBC News. While he received applause at the beginning for talking about the need for whistleblowersand positive decorum in the legislature, it showsmayors and councillors starting to grumble afterPlecas claimed most people he talked to are unable to name five people they would want to be mayor of their cities.

"The current state of affairs isis pretty pathetic," he said.

Leadership abilities of mafia, Trump

Minutes later, Plecas seemed to provide a partial endorsement of the leadership abilities of criminal leaders and Donald Trump, resulting in several people speaking out.

"Being the leader,or even a so-called successful one, is not necessarily anything to be proud of, because you want to know good leaders?I can introduce you to lots of them people who are seen as good leaders.

"Hells Angels havegood leaders. Organized crimegenerally has good leaders.Mafia has goodleaders," he said.

"As much as I personally despise Trump, hemust be doing something right. Because most Americans thinkhe's great."

Trump lost the popular vote in the 2016 American electionand, in polls,his approval ratings have consistentlybeen under 50 per cent.

When reached for comment, Plecas said he meant they were seen as good leaders, but that leadership isn't necessarily about results.

"[They're] seen as good leaders. That doesn't mean that they are. Simply because someone has had success as a leader, they've achieved goals, doesn't mean they did it in a manner which is the right way."

Plecashas become a polarizing figure in provincial politics after he chose to run for Speaker in 2017thereby stabilizingthe new NDP government despite being elected asa B.C. Liberal MLA.

He was removed as a Liberal member and recently has received national attention for his investigations into spending by longtime officials in the B.C. Legislature, who have since been placed on indefinite leave.

Arguments with delegates

Plecas also criticized politicians who don't engage collaboratively before making decisions.

"It's like First Nations people say, when people say to them, governments say, 'we're consulting.' You're already laughing. Yeah, whata bunch of rubbish.No, we don't want consulting. That's like, if that was OK, you could say to somebody who was sexually assaulted, 'well, you consulted first.'"

Plecastold CBC News theanecdote came directly from an Indigenous woman.

"She was trying to make the same point I made. She obviously did it better than I did. But mypoint is, and was intended to be, that simplyconsulting doesn't mean you've done it properly," he said.

As his speech went on, Plecasacknowledged the criticism he was receiving from the floor.

"I'm not saying everybodywho's in elected office is horrible. I am saying it's a fact that most Canadians think that ... I know it's different atthe municipal level whereyou don't have the same partisanship," he said.

And ashe wrapped up his speech, Plecasseemed to predict what the fallout would be.

"Almost nobody is ever going to tell you what they really think. They might say nice things to your face. But sodoes your dog. Just like when I leave here, there will benegativity."