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B.C. legislature finally gets a permanent sergeant at arms

The appointment ends a political saga that began in November 2018 when sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz and legislature clerk Craig James were marched out of the house after being accused of wrongdoing

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The B.C. legislature has its first permanent sergeant at arms in almost three years.

On Monday afternoon, a former deputy chief of the Calgary Police Service, Ray Robitaille, was introduced to the legislature by Speaker Raj Chouhan, took a bow to applause and replaced acting sergeant-at-arms Greg Nelson — who stepped into the role after the former sergeant at arms, Gary Lenz, was suspended in November 2018.

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Chouhan said Robitaille was invested as a member of the Order of Merit of the police forces by the Governor-General. According to his professional online profile, Robitaille worked for the Calgary police for almost 30 years — retiring in 2019.

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Robitaille says his experience includes leadership in the Canadian military as an infantry platoon commander, working as a tactical sniper, organized crime investigator, undercover officer and critical incident commander.

Night view of Parliament building in Victoria B.C.
Night view of Parliament building in Victoria B.C. Photo by JonghyunKim /PNG

While the role includes ceremonial elements, the sergeant-at-arms responsible for security of the parliament and its occupants.

Seven years ago, the Canadian House of Commons sergeant at arms, Kevin Vickers, shot and killed a man who had earlier killed a guard near Parliament Hill (Cpl. Nathan Cirillo) and had entered Parliament.

The appointment of Robitaille ends a political saga that began in November 2018 when Lenz and legislature clerk Craig James were marched out of the B.C. House after being accused of financial wrongdoing. Lenz was suspended soon after and retired in 2019.

James, who has pleaded not guilty to five charges — including breach of trust and fraud — related to spending at the provincial legislature, will face trial next year.

Lenz always denied any wrongdoing and the B.C. Prosecution Service said in August that he wouldn’t face charges.

— With files from The Canadian Press

dcarrigg@postmedia.com

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