9.11°C Vancouver

Mar 3, 2023 7:40 PM - The Canadian Wire

B.C. premier wants tighter federal laundering laws after case fails to yield charges

Share On
b-c-premier-wants-tighter-federal-laundering-laws-after-case-fails-to-yield-charges
Eby called for tougher laws a day after B.C.'s prosecution service announced no charges will be laid in the E-Nationalize investigation into millions of dollars that moved through B.C. casinos and Chinese bank accounts

The failure of a massive, multi-year money laundering investigation to yield charges is a "shocking" example of the shortfalls of federal financial crime law, British Columbia Premier David Eby said Thursday.

Eby called for tougher laws a day after B.C.'s prosecution service announced no charges will be laid in the E-Nationalize investigation into millions of dollars that moved through B.C. casinos and Chinese bank accounts.

"Obviously, there's a serious problem with federal criminal law that allows this conduct to continue in our province," he said.

Special prosecutor Chris Considine issued what is known as a "clear statement" Wednesday in which he advised against charges in the E-Nationalize investigation and suggested federal law amendments to better support financial crime cases.

The investigation concluded in 2021 with police proposing eight charges against Paul King Jin of Richmond, B.C.

Considine, a senior Victoria lawyer, was appointed last March to conduct a second review of the case, after an earlier decision by the prosecution service that charge assessment standards had not been met and no charges would be approved.

He suggested the federal government amend the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to explicitly criminalize the operation of unlicensed money service businesses that were used in B.C. to accept, deliver and transfer funds locally and overseas.

Latest news

another-storm-set-to-hit-b-c-s-coastal-regions-heavy-rain-and-strong-wind-warning-issued
BCNov 09, 2026

Another Storm Set to Hit B.C.’s Coastal Regions, Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Warning Issued

A third powerful storm is forecast to hit British Columbia’s coastal regions, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall from Tuesday through Thursday. According to Environment Canada, the storm will affect the North, Central and South Coasts, as well as Vancouver Island. The weather agency has forecast winds of up to 110 km/h for Haida Gwaii and northern Vancouver Island this afternoon. Heavy rainfall is also expected in several parts of the province. Although no flood warnings are currently in effect in B.C., the River Forecast Centre has maintained High Streamflow Advisories for the South a
three-arrested-after-shots-fired-inside-surrey-high-rise-condo-building
BCNov 09, 2026

Three Arrested After Shots Fired Inside Surrey High-Rise Condo Building

Three people have been arrested following a shooting inside a high-rise condominium building in Surrey, B.C. According to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots inside an upper-floor suite in a building located in the 9600-block of 136A Street at approximately 2:16 a.m. A large police presence was deployed to the scene, with officers from the New Westminster Police Department also assisting in the response. Two men and one woman were taken into custody within approximately 90 minutes of the incident. Police confirmed that no one was injured in the s
CanadaNov 09, 2026

Canada to Develop New Strategy for Foreign Espionage, Granting CSIS Expanded Powers

The Canadian government is planning to grant the country's intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the authority to conduct espionage operations overseas. The move could mark a major first step towards establishing a separate foreign intelligence agency similar to the United States' CIA and Britain's MI6. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government announced $6 billion in additional funding for CSIS over the next 10 years in its recent federal budget. A portion of the funding is expected to be used to strengthen the agency's ability to gather foreign intelligence. C
CanadaNov 09, 2026

Canada, Philippines Set to Finalize Free Trade Agreement This Week

Canada and the Philippines could announce the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement this week, marking a major milestone in relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Manila on Saturday as part of his international tour. He is expected to finalize the trade agreement on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. According to the Canadian government, the deal is expected to triple bilateral trade between the two countries by 2035. The Philippines plays a key role in Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy. The importance of the relationship is reflected in the fact
CanadaNov 06, 2026

Canada Allocates Nearly $30 Billion Over 10 Years to Tackle Homelessness

The Canadian government has allocated nearly $30 billion in Budget 2026 to tackle homelessness across the country over the next 10 years. Under the plan, the government will invest $11.2 billion over the next four years, followed by another $17.8 billion over the subsequent six years, to help people overcome homelessness. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne described the initiative as one of the government's key policy priorities. Champagne said the funding aims to provide permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness, build community-based mental health and addiction treatm

Related News