Legal changes would require explanation for questionable wealth in B.C.

The B.C. government is taking aim at organized crime through its members unexplained wealth, such as luxury homes or vehicles.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced the government is changing the Civil Forfeiture Act to include unexplained wealth orders, requiring people to tell a court how they got the assets if there is suspicion of crime.

It means the Civil Forfeiture Office would be able to ask a B.C. Supreme Court for an order against people or companies to explain where they got their wealth and if a three-part test is satisfied, that property can be seized.

The changes are based on the Cullen Commission of Inquiry into money laundering in B.C. that found dirty money had been siphoned through casinos and the real estate market.