VANCOUVER – British Columbia Premier Christy Clark’s chief of staff has resigned over what is being described as an “incident of concern,” but it’s not clear what happened to prompt his exit.
VANCOUVER – British Columbia Premier Christy Clark’s chief of staff has resigned over what is being described as an “incident of concern,” but it’s not clear what happened to prompt his exit.
Clark’s office has issued a vague statement indicating Ken Boessenkool resigned with a letter of apology on Sunday. Boessenkool is a former adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper who was appointed to the B.C. job in January.
“Earlier this month, I was involved in an incident where I acted inappropriately,” wrote Boessenkool.
“I was wrong, regretted my behaviour very much and immediately and unconditionally apologized. … This (my resignation) 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.”
A statement from Clark’s office suggested she wouldn’t be offering many more details, citing “privacy laws.” The statement said the incident has been reviewed.
Boessenkool, who once described himself as coming from “the womb right wing,” was appointed to the premier’s office in January at the same time Clark appointed a former Harper communications staffer as her press secretary.
Boessenkool’s resume includes time as an adviser to Harper, a Tory election strategist and a lobbyist for companies such as Enbridge Inc., Taser International and several pharmaceutical firms.
In 2001, Boessenkool signed the notorious “firewall” letter that urged Alberta to fight Jean Chretien’s Liberal government.
The letter, also signed by Harper, who was then president of the National Citizens’ Coalition, urged Alberta to build firewalls to limit what it argued were federal intrusions into the province.