The B.C. Conservatives are asking the registrar of lobbyists to investigate a “potential conflict of interest” between Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon and his sister’s lobbying and consulting firm.
At issue is the fact the minister’s sister Parm Kahlon is one of three partners of Core Firm, a business consulting firm and registered government lobbyist.
The Conservatives noted in a media release that Core Firm had previously announced on social media it is a client of Renewal Development, which was recently featured in a Global News article for relocating old homes (that would otherwise be torn down) to the Sunshine Coast for renewal with First Nations communities.
Last April, Kahlon expressed interest in Renewal Development’s work, stating to Global: “We are looking at how we can potentially partner with them.”
Elenore Sturko, Conservative Party of BC candidate for Surrey-Cloverdale, penned the letter Wednesday, asking Registrar of Lobbyists for BC Michael Harvey to investigate whether Kahlon has met with or had discussions with representatives from Renewal Development, a client of Core Firm.
Sturko told Glacier Media in a brief interview she is unsure if there is a conflict of interest “but there is the potential” and perception is important.
Sturko acknowledged that Core Firm is not registered to lobby on behalf of Renewal Development. In fact, only Core’s other partner Nicola (Nikki) Hill of “PKOK Core Consulting Inc.” is registered as a lobbyist and only for — in the past 12 months — BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities and Videotron LTD., a subsidiary of Freedom Mobile.
And, Sturko asked Harvey, “Has the housing minister ever referred companies he deals with in government to his sister’s lobbying company, Core Firm, as potential clients?”
“Should your investigation find no violations, it would still be invaluable in clarifying these relationships for the public,” Sturko told Harvey.
For his part, Kahlon, MLA for Delta North, spoke to Glacier Media, stating this is an attempt by the Conservatives to “distract” from other election issues.
“I’ve had no contact with them at all,” said Kahlon, adding “my sister’s not a lobbyist.” (Records show Parm Kahlon did lobby a suite of MLAs, including Ravi Kahlon, in October 2021, on behalf of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1518, which was concerned about frontline workers' health.)
Also in a brief interview with Glacier Media, Hill expressed surprise to see the Conservatives' letter.
"To be honest, I think it's challenging for them if this is their news of the day," said Hill, noting Core is abreast on properly conducting itself via lobbying rules.
"It's unfortunate they’ve put out a statement without doing research on how those rules work," said Hill, adding no government work was done with Renewal Development and Core is largely focused on "private sector outreach work."
The provincial election is Oct. 19.
