B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay says suggestions that a recording shows she illegally offered jobs to legislators, in exchange for resigning so she could stand in a byelection, are "preposterous."
In the purported recording of Findlay addressing Conservative legislators that was released on social media on Thursday, a person who sounds like her says she thought that if someone stepped aside she "could give them a role as a senior adviser in their same portfolio."
Findlay doesn't have a seat in the legislature, although Reann Gasper has now resigned to give the leader a chance to run in Abbotsford-Mission, while Gasper has taken a paid position as Findlay's deputy chief of staff.
It's illegal under the Criminal Code to negotiate a reward or benefit related to resignation from political office, but Findlay says the comments in the recording, published by an anonymous account, were "normal political discussions" that do not constitute a criminal offence.
Findlay says in a statement on social media Thursday that it appears the "unverified" recording was made at a July caucus meeting, calling it a "political smear job."
The Conservatives have suffered a wave of defections, with six legislators quitting the party in the past two weeks.
Bruce Banman was the latest, quitting on Thursday and urging other Conservatives to follow regardless of their political affiliations.
Banman said many have told him Findlay is "unelectable."
In addition to the Criminal Code bribery prohibition, which is subject to up to five years' prison, BC Legislature standing orders ban the offer of money or other advantages to members for promoting any matter "depending or to be transacted" in the house.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
