Former BC president of federal Liberal Party Jamie Elmhirst's subpoena for Basi-Virk trial a surprise to federal Liberal Party President

January 30, 2007

Subpoena news for top Grit

By JORGE BARRERA, SPECIAL TO 24 HOURS

The president of the Liberal Party of Canada says she had no idea the outgoing president of her party's B.C. branch had been subpoenaed to testify in the province's political trial of the century.
Ontario Liberal Senator Marie Poulin said she only became aware after 24 hours contacted her about the issue yesterday.

"I did not know," said Poulin. "He might have told the party and he might not have told the party. I am not aware that he has or hasn't."

24 hours first reported that Elmhirst was subpoenaed to testify at the breach-of-trust trial of former provincial government aides David Basi and Bob Virk on Oct. 4, 2006. He quit as president Jan. 15, but did not mention the subpoena in his letter of resignation, said Poulin.

Elmhirst told 24 hours the subpoena had nothing to do with his resignation.

Elmhirst was a former aide to B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and former Liberal cabinet minster David Anderson. He was also partners with Erik Bornmann and Brian Kieran as part of the now-defunct Pilothouse Public Affairs lobby firm.

Bornmann and Kieran will testify as Crown witnesses against Basi, Virk and a provincial government communications aide Aneal Basi during the trial which begins April 2.