A long-time federal Liberal in B.C. has stated he's in "full agreement" with former cabinet minister Jane Philpott's assertion that Canadians would like to know the whole truth about the SNC-Lavalin affair.

In a letter to the Georgia Straight (see below), chartered professional accountant Elbert (Bert) Paul also declared that he strongly supports the creation of an independent public inquiry.

"The powers pursuant to the Inquiry Act permit summoning of witnesses to provide testimony under oath, requiring them to give evidence and produce documents," Paul wrote in his letter. "A non-partisan inquiry can then address the issues of bearing false witness, contravening the Shawcross Doctrine and Section 5 of the OECD Convention as it relates to anti bribery provisions."

Paul was a director of the Federal Liberal Agency of Canada from 1986 to 2016. It's the chief agent of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Paul also chaired FLAC's audit committee. 

"It is vital we protect the public interest relating to the rule of law and address these serious allegations including contravention of our international obligations," he wrote. "Canadians deserve the best government possible."

Paul's letter was written in response to an article by Martyn Brown called "Pardon my French, Prime Minister, but you’re f#*ked”.

In the 1990s, Paul was one of the earliest and foremost public critics of the B.C. NDP government's fast-ferry scandal. During this period, a $210-million capital program ballooned into a $460-million expenditure for three vessels that were taken out of service shortly after being built.

You can read Paul's full letter below:

Vancouver Free Press Publishing Corp.

1635 West Broadway

Vancouver B.C. V6J 1W9

Dear Editor, 

I am writing this letter in response to Martyn Brown’s insightful article dated March 21 entitled ”Pardon my French, Prime Minister, but you’re f#*ked”.

I am a former thirty-year director and chair of the audit committee of the Federal Liberal Agency of Canada "(FLAC)". FLAC, is the Chief Agent of the Liberal Party of Canada. 

I am in full agreement with the comments of former cabinet minister Jane Phillpott. She justifiably complained in MacLeans about “an attempt to shut down the inquiry”. I agree with her assertion that “Canadians would like to know the whole truth.” It is obvious that as Martyn Brown quoted "There’s much more to the story that should be told."

I would strongly support that an independent public inquiry be initiated. The powers pursuant to the Inquiry Act permit summoning of witnesses to provide testimony under oath, requiring them to give evidence and produce documents.  

A non-partisan inquiry can then address the issues of bearing false witness, contravening the Shawcross Doctrine and Section 5 of the OECD Convention as it relates to anti bribery provisions. 

It is vital we protect the public interest relating to the rule of law and address these serious allegations including contravention of our international obligations. Canadians deserve the best government possible.

Sincerely, 

Elbert King (Bert) Paul