Liberal staffers chastised for attack work

VICTORIA — British Columbia Liberal caucus workers who are paid to spend their days highlighting the efforts of Liberal members of the legislature were told Monday to keep their noses out of Liberal Party attack ads while on government time.

Liberal caucus spokesman Ben James said caucus workers were reminded their duties do not include doing party work during their day jobs.

James said a caucus-wide note was issued after emails surfaced indicating some members of the Liberal caucus helped produce a Liberal Party website criticizing New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix.

“We have sent out an email to all caucus staff reminding them of the correct use of caucus-funded email accounts,” he said. “All of us, meaning caucus staff, must make sure we do not cross any line and perform tasks that contravene our standards of conduct.”

James did not dispute the existence of leaked emails that indicate some caucus communications officers were helping design the anti-Dix website in August, 2011.

The Can’tAffordDix.ca website was released by the Liberal Party in October 2011, calling Dix the architect of B.C.’s economic decline during the 1990s and reminding voters he “fabricated a memo” for former NDP premier Glen Clark.

James said Monday’s caucuswide email stated: “If engaging in political party activities, employees must be able to retain the perception on impartiality in relation to their duties and responsibilities.”