Christy Clark's chief of staff Ken Boessenkool resigns over "incident of concern"

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      B.C. premier Christy Clark has replaced chief of staff Ken Boessenkool after he "acted inappropriately" in an undisclosed incident.

      "Earlier this month, the Premier's office was made aware of an incident of concern," Clark said in a statement this morning (September 24). "Since that time, a review has been undertaken that adhered to the processes set down by the B.C. Public Service Agency. Having considered this review, I accepted the resignation of the Chief of Staff."

      Former B.C. Hydro chair Dan Doyle will assume the post, which Boessenkool took over from Mike McDonald in February.

      Boessenkool is a former senior policy advisor and strategist to Prime Minister Stephen Harper who has lobbied the federal government on behalf of many corporations and organizations, such as Enbridge, SNC Lavalin Nuclear, and Taser International.

      "Earlier this month I was involved in an incident where I acted inappropriately. I was wrong, regretted my behaviour very much and immediately and unconditionally apologized," Boessenkool wrote in his letter of resignation to Clark.

      "Notwithstanding my genuine apology and sense of regret, and following my meeting with you earlier today I tender my letter of resignation as your Chief of Staff effective immediately," Boessenkool continued.

      "This will give me a chance to return to Calgary to be with my family—who I have also let down—and from whom I have been separated on a weekly basis for most of the last eight months."

      Doyle formerly served as deputy minister of transportation in the B.C. government and as executive vice-president for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

      "As per British Columbia's privacy laws, no more details can be provided," Clark said of the events that led to Boessenkool's resignation.

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      Comments

      24 Comments

      Catherine Winters

      Sep 24, 2012 at 10:24am

      "How did your date go last night?"
      "There was an 'incident of concern'."
      "Ouch."

      Salty one

      Sep 24, 2012 at 11:34am

      In what way can a 'man' let his family down?

      Robert Gerard

      Sep 24, 2012 at 11:43am

      It's only a matter of time before the "incident" becoms public. Unlike neo-con preems, the internet is open and transparent.

      Playmobile

      Sep 24, 2012 at 11:52am

      Whoops! 'incident of concern' leaves the people of BC wondering.....better to come right out and be open about this.

      DavidH

      Sep 24, 2012 at 12:01pm

      I don't know if BC has the strongest economic growth or the strongest job growth, but we win - hands down - when it comes to interesting politics.

      Three chiefs of staff in less than eight months. A completely-failed Conservative candidate brings his obviously limited skills to the BC Liberal Party. The Conservatives' only elected MLA resigns bitterly ... and announces his intention to attend the convention of the other party that he resigned from earlier this year (bitterly).

      Meanwhile, Colin Hansen announces his intention not to run again and issues an apology. But not an apology for screwing up. He apologized for not being able to convince regular folks to accept his genious.

      And in London, Gordon Campbell continues to live the good life.

      So what's next? Adrian Dix and Carole James caught in a highly inappropriate embrace? Premier Clark does an erotic poll-dance at the next government spending announcement? Backbencher Steve Bobowski declares his intention to run for leadership of the Ku Klux Klan?

      Ted

      Sep 24, 2012 at 12:07pm

      How can this be a privacy issue when it's a public official being fired, unless it's some form of harassment or misconduct? And how much severance pay will he get?

      Will there be an independent investigation to ensure that the people of this Province haven't been the victim here (note that he's a lobbyiist for Enbridge, etc. so has there been undue influence on our policy regarding the pipelines?).

      I don't think this should just be allowed to be swept under the rug when it's a public official. He's accountable to the Province not Crispy the Clown.

      Phil

      Sep 24, 2012 at 12:11pm

      Oh man, it just keeps gettng better for the neo-cons. Anyone care to speculate as to what "acted inappropriately" is code for?

      Barney Fife

      Sep 24, 2012 at 12:16pm

      Does BC really need to suffer any more of this Christy Clark & BC Liberals reality show?.

      burnaby reich

      Sep 24, 2012 at 12:19pm

      i suppose every once in a while someone does get a hole in one at these golf hoedowns. now i know why the call them skins.

      DavidH

      Sep 24, 2012 at 12:37pm

      @Ted and others: Privacy on personnel issues is neither inappropriate nor uncommon in any organization. The ex-COS hasn't been charged with a crime so there is no "public right" to know the details.

      However, stay tuned. If there is a victim who is willing to come forward, and either sue in civil court or push for criminal charges, all of the details will eventually come out. Be patient.

      Some of us will be interested to know if this incident was a stupid "one off" or part of a pattern of misbehaviour. If the latter, then the premier will have to explain why the COS was not properly vetted.