Letters: Richmond News reader calls for online financial disclosure for local politicians

Dear Editor,

Re: "Tokyo Beauty Hazelbridge location shut down by Richmond city council"

Accountability of elected officials is critical to trust in the democratic process. 

However, local governments lack the tools of other levels of government to monitor conflicts.  

That is why reforming our province and our city's laws around public accessibility of financial disclosures of local elected officials would be a promising step to improve local accountability. 

At a recent Richmond city council meeting for Tokyo Beauty's business licence, Coun. Chak Au declared a conflict of interest. He stated he is a consultant with Remedios and Co - the law firm representing Tokyo Beauty.

Subsequent reporting, and Au's follow-up remarks, led to further confusion. It is important for the public to know how, and where, local elected officials receive supplementary income.     

This speaks to the broader question of financial disclosure reform for local elected officials. 

According to the Financial Disclosure Act, local government elected officials must make disclosures of assets, debts and sources of income.

However, municipalities are also free to set different standards for public accessibility of financial disclosures.

Unlike the City of Vancouver, the City of Richmond does not post financial disclosures of elected officials online. 

It must be accessed in person at city hall. 

The late Dermod Travis, BC Government watchdog, said many years ago that "all elected official disclosures should be posted online."

Online disclosure would solve the confusion in two ways. 

It would provide greater accountability and transparency as the public would know first-hand where their councillors receive income.   

Secondly, online disclosure would discourage any unethical behaviour as the public would have easy access to all information.   

I encourage the province, and the City of Richmond to review all financial disclosure requirements, to ensure maximum transparency. 

Paul R. Chan

Richmond

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