Christy Clark announces the appointment of Brad Bennett to chair the board of BC Hydro in 2015.
The man Premier Christy Clark appointed to chair the board of BC Hydro will act as her advisor in the upcoming B.C. election.
After speaking to the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce earlier today, Brad Bennett told reporters he will act as an “advisor” to the premier as she campaigns for re-election.
During the 2013 election campaign Bennett worked closely with Clark on the way to her win, travelling with and consulting her on a daily basis.
Two years later Clark appointed Bennett, whose father Bill served as premier in the 1970s and ‘80s, the chairman of the BC Hydro board of directors.
Bennett said he will play a similar role in Clark’s election campaign this year as he did in 2013.
“I will be on the bus again, on the road again,” he said. “Helping to elect good government.”
Along with sitting as the chairman of BC Hydro’s board, Bennett is president of McIntosh Properties Ltd. He has previously served on a number of public and private company boards including as the chairman of the University of British Columbia, Okanagan University College and the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.
Bennett said he won’t step away from his role with BC Hydro during his stint as an advisor, because the Crown corporation “has a lot going on.” He did say he won’t be taking any money for his services.
Bennett appeared unfazed when questioned whether it is appropriate for the head of a Crown corporation to side with a particular political candidate.
“Why not? We all have our right – and, I would argue, our obligation – to ensure we have a thriving democracy. What I would do in this instance would be no different than what any other BC Hydro employee would do,” he said.
During his presentation earlier in the afternoon Bennett told the audience BC Hydro had “only one shareholder”: the government of B.C.
Later, talking to reporters, he dismissed the idea that he was essentially helping his own boss.
“The government is the shareholder. I work for the ratepayers. The ratepayers support BC Hydro and my interest is in serving the company, and continuing to serve the company” he said.
The office of the premier did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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