B.C. Premier Christy Clark deflects question about her own possible resignation

Christy Clark emerged from a 90 minute closed-door caucus meeting on Monday retaining her position as premier of British Columbia and with her caucus — at least publicly — supporting her.

The embattled premier is embroiled in what's become known as the 'ethnic outreach scandal' or 'ethnic-gate.'

Last Wednesday, the opposition NDP revealed a 17-page multicultural outreach strategy outlining the Liberal party's plan to win ethnic votes in the May election. The report suggests that the party was using taxpayer funded staff from the premier's office, other government resources for crass political purposes. Several communities were offended by one excerpt from the document which called for 'quick wins' in ethnic communities by making apologies for historical wrongs.

Clark denied any previous knowledge of the ethnic vote plan but her deputy chief of staff, close friend and confidant Kim Haackstad stepped down over her role in the scandal on Friday. Multiculturalism Minister John Yap also resigned pending an investigation by Clark's deputy minister John Dyble.

[ Related: Clark says Multiculturalism Minister out pending ethnic vote review ]

On Monday, according to CKNW News, Clark seemed to keep the door open to her potential resignation. When asked if she would consider resigning once Dyble presents his findings she had this to say:

"Well when the report comes out and we see what it recommends and what it tells us, I will take action and then you'll see what that means."

Martyn Brown, the Chief of Staff for former premier Gordon Campbell, is calling on Clark to resign now.

"I do believe that the premier has to accept...personal responsibility and do the honourable thing that she has asked her other minister to do and that's step down" he told CKNW.

"I believe the premier has been directly implicated by dint of her office. This is a plan that was hatched and coordinated either by or with her office by senior political staff.

"Based on what we know today...it's evident that all doors point to the premier's office."

While most people are giving Clark the benefit of the doubt, it's pretty hard to believe that Clark knew nothing about the ethnic strategy.

[ Related: ‘Ethnic outreach’ scandal could end B.C. Premier Christy Clark’s political career ]

Her deputy chief of staff was the one who distributed the document by email. (Interestingly, the email was sent to the personal email addresses of government staff and thereby circumventing freedom of information access.)

The email distribution list included 4 of Clark's friends who were rewarded with jobs for playing key roles in her leadership campaign: Haakstad, Brian Bonney, Lorne Mayencourt and Pamela Martin.

Whether Clark knew about the ethno-strategy or not, it was her handpicked people that were at the centre of it.

In this case 'the buck' does need to stop at the leader's desk.

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