B.C. money laundering report gets extension

The British Columbia government has granted a commission into money laundering an extension to produce its final report and make recommendations.

The report was due in May, but the commission now has until Dec. 15 to produce its final report.

A commission statement says the COVID-19 pandemic created delays by forcing the hearings and much of its work to be done online.

It says the extension gives commissioner Austin Cullen the time necessary to hear and consider evidence and prepare the report, including recommendations.

The commission also says last fall's B.C. election caused a delay as hearings were postponed during the campaign.

The government appointed Cullen, a B.C. Supreme Court justice, in May 2019 to conduct an independent public inquiry into money laundering after three reports outlined how hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal cash affected the province's real estate, luxury vehicle and gaming sectors.