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Liberals ditch earthquake appointment to former Liberal cabinet minister

Video: Former MLA John Les has had his contract as earthquake consultant rescinded even before his first day. Keith Baldrey explains.

Premier Christy Clark has withdrawn the controversial appointment of a former Liberal solicitor general to head an overhaul of the province’s earthquake preparedness measures.

John Les was to be paid $140,000 this year to serve on the government’s earthquake preparedness committee.

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Clark says Les’s appointment and salary are not in keeping with the government’s goals of keeping costs down while growing the economy.

Attorney General Suzanne Anton announced Tuesday that Les was considered the best candidate to fill the newly created post because of his experience as a former solicitor general and mayor of Chilliwack.

The Opposition New Democrats said Les’s appointment smacked of pork barrelling and special favours for Liberal party insiders.

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NDP Leader Adrian Dix now says he is pleased with the government’s about-face, but he’s calling on the Liberals to withdraw other patronage appointments.

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