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Nearly 1,000 sign Port Moody petition on forced leave for criminally charged politicians

Residents hope the B.C. legislature will take up the case and pass legislation to tighten the rules for politicians accused of crimes

Port Moody Mayor Rob Vagramov has stepped aside pending the outcome of his sexual assault charge but his decision to take a leave hasn’t slowed efforts by individuals seeking changes to provincial legislation governing the conduct of politicians.

A group of PoMo residents said it has collected 928 names and counting on a petition asking the province to expedite legislation that would disqualify an elected local government politician from office upon conviction of a serious criminal offence and force them to take a paid leave of absence from office upon Crown approval of criminal charges until the court process is complete.

Laura Dick and Anthony Sandler, who have been working on the petition for a few weeks, say most people they talk to understand the need to have a clear process in place so city business can continue when a politician is facing a criminal charge.

“Having the decision-making in the hands of the accused isn’t really the best situation,” Sandler told The Tri-City News.

Dick said while she understands the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is looking into the matter, she thinks showing the public is concerned will get Minister Selina Robinson to take action more quickly.

And Dick said she believes if the ministry had adopted motions presented by the Union of BC Municipalities last October, Port Moody "wouldn’t be in the position we’re in.”

The two say the petition isn’t linked to any political party and say it’s a non-partisan effort to get clarity in how elected officials should conduct themselves when faced with criminal charges.

Dick told The Tri-City News she’s seeking the support of an NDP and Liberal MLA to present the legislation but has yet to hear back from people she has approached, while Sandler said he’s a recent transplant from Ontario and neither the BC Liberals nor the NDP represent his political point of view.

“I have no horse in the race when it comes this issue,” Sandler said.

Sandler said it’s important to take action on the issue because of how these sorts of situations can affect city business and equates the situation to one where CEO of a corporation would be forced to step down if he faced charges.

Meanwhile, Robinson, who is also a Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA, has said her staff are working on the matter and when asked in the legislature about the Port Moody mayor’s sexual assault case, said Vagramov should consider what is in the best interests of the community.

“I do believe she’s working on it," Dick said. "We just want her and the department to prioritize it."

Vagramov resumed his leave of absence Oct. 18, after presiding over a council meeting in which several of his campaign issues, including removing the Bert Flinn Road right-of-way, were dealt with.

The next court date to deal with the charge is scheduled for Nov. 13 in Port Coquitlam. Both the special prosecutor and Vagramov’s lawyer have said they are pursuing alternate measures to resolve the case that could take place outside the courts.