For Immediate Release
May 15, 2008

VICTORIA - The Campbell government has been registered with the Guinness Book of World Records for avoiding questions with the excuse “it’s before the courts” more than any other government around the world.

Delta North MLA Guy Gentner told the Legislature about the world record in a statement today. He said it will take up to three months for Guinness to confirm the world record, but he is confident that no other government has matched Campbell’s.

"The count today is 125 and climbing,” Gentner told the Legislature. “The count will continue until the end of session. It's a dreadful record - a record no other government will want to beat.

"This matter is no longer just before the courts," Gentner said in the legislature, "but is now before the Guinness Book of World Records."

In submitting the registration, Gentner said the Campbell government holds the world record for “The highest amount of responses by a government of a parliamentary democracy in one term of office that uses the excuse that because the issue was ‘before the courts’ or similar inferences of it, refused to answer the question as posed by the Official Opposition during question period.”

"Whether it's the B.C. Rail corruption trial, senior staff manipulating media, or ministers forced to step down due to criminal investigations - this arrogant government refuses to answer tough questions," said Gentner after he made his statement .

"It's almost as if the government is thankful that so many things they're involved in end up before the courts.”

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Contact: Edward May 250-208-2554