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BC Premier Condemns Police Probe Into Safe Supply Leak as Whistleblower Debate Intensifies

David Eby criticizes the ongoing RCMP investigation into a leaked Ministry of Health report, highlighting whistleblower protections and public accountability concerns.

Elenore Sturko who recently won the Surrey South byelection poses for a photograph after being sworn-in during a ceremony at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, October 03, 2022. Chad Hipolito/The Globe an Mail
B.C. Conservative party MLA Elenore Sturko
Public Safety Minister Garry Begg.
BC Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko.

Overview

  • The RCMP investigation, ordered under BC's Police Act, is examining whether a law enforcement officer leaked a Ministry of Health presentation on opioid diversion and trafficking.
  • Premier David Eby has publicly opposed the probe, stating it could intimidate whistleblowers and emphasizing that MLA Elenore Sturko was performing her duties by releasing the document.
  • Sturko, who revealed the report in February, confirmed she is not under investigation and has vowed to protect her source, asserting the leak served the public interest.
  • The leaked report exposed significant diversion of safer-supply opioids and pharmacy kickbacks, prompting immediate reforms to BC's safe supply program earlier this year.
  • Opposition Conservatives and whistleblower advocates have criticized the investigation as an overreach, while Public Safety Minister Garry Begg initially defended the probe before aligning with the premier's stance.