Property industry under scrutiny

B.C. Attorney General David Eby says terms of reference are being discussed as the province moves ahead with the second phase of its battle against money laundering.

The first phase was unveiled last week with a report by former RCMP deputy commissioner Peter German, detailing money laundering in the gaming industry.

Part two will focus on monetary transactions linked to the housing market, and Eby said he is working with Finance Minister Carole James to identify issues.

German said an examination of money laundering within the real estate industry must tackle problems linked to development and mortgages, as well as the sale of commercial and residential properties.

He predicted the second phase will be a “larger beast to tackle,” because real estate drives the economy in B.C., while gaming has had less of an overall impact. German will also author the second report, but said his investigation has just begun and there’s no word on a timeline for completion.

Phase one of German’s work, a 247-page report that identified blatant examples of money laundering in Metro Vancouver casinos, made 48 recommendations and sought sweeping reforms.

They include appointment of an independent regulator overseeing the casino industry and creation of a specialized, around-the-clock police force to battle money laundering. German found at least $100 million had been laundered through casinos, but admitted the total could be much higher, although without a forensic audit, he can’t provide an estimate.

Eby said last week that casino money laundering was linked to the opioid crisis and could be connected to real estate.