British Columbia’s agriculture minister has stepped down because of a police investigation regarding his handling of an aquaculture file in the fall of 2001.
In a News release
news and a later news conference, John van Dongen said the investigation relates to his actions as a “minister in performance of my official duties” but refused to name the file or the concerns.
“I was advised last night by the premier, who was informed by the attorney general, that a special prosecutor will be appointed to assist the police investigation,” said van Dongen in the release.
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“Until the investigation is concluded, it would be inappropriate for me to publicly comment on it in any substantive way. Nevertheless, I feel it is incumbent on me to step aside from my cabinet portfolio until this matter is resolved and the investigation is completed,” he said.
The former Abbotsford dairy farmer was appointed minister of agriculture, food and fisheries June 5, 2001 just in time for the July federal and provincial agriculture ministers meeting in Whitehorse where the Agriculture Policy Framework was agreed to in principle.
Van Dongen’s resignation is seen as a blow to federal agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief and the APF, the agreement designed to create a long-term farm policy, and expected to be in place April 1.
Graham Currie, B.C. agriculture communications director said the work of the ministry would continue despite the minister’s resignation.
“You have to recognize there is a deputy minister, there is a lot of really good staff within the ministry. It would be fair to say the work of the ministry will continue,” said Currie.
Minister of sustainable resource management Stan Hagen will assume van Dongen’s duties until the matter is resolved.
