February 14, 2007

Lawyer denies he's in conflict over Olympic contract

VANCOUVER

Vancouver lawyer Paul Barbeau dismisses the possibility he was in a conflict of interest over a $193-million contract for Vancouver’s Olympic Village.

Barbeau, past president of Vancouver’s ruling Non-Partisan Association civic party, acknowledged he is corporate solicitor for a company linked to the successful Olympic bidder.

Armeco Construction Ltd. is under the same umbrella of companies as winning contractor Millennium Southeast False Creek Properties Ltd.

The companies share corporate addresses at 198 West Hastings.

“This amounts to arguably the most insignificant of coincidences,” said Barbeau.

“My law firm does the corporate minute book for Armeco. It’s not an unusual thing.

“I never had a conversation with anybody at Armeco or Millennium regarding the Olympic site. Nor any conversations with councillors. I don’t have a financial interest in Armeco.

“I can’t see any conflict of interest,’’ Barbeau said.

The city’s contract with Millennium says that no one at the company should have a “business relationship” with “an elected official.”

Vision Vancouver Coun. Raymond Louie said more questions should be asked of Barbeau’s actions.

“Clearly, there is an opportunity for a perception of conflict,” said Louie.

“Did he take additional measures to make sure the integrity of the bidding process was maintained, and to (restrict) his activities at city hall?

“One hundred and ninety-three million dollars was a large transaction,” Louie said.

“Council’s unanimous decision to select Millennium was based entirely on the merits of the proposal,” Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan said in a statement.

Millennium was incorporated on June 14 last year, two months after city staff recommended its bid be chosen to build 1,000 condos for the Olympic Village.

The bidding process was undertaken by an independent committee and lasted eight months.

Barbeau resigned as NPA president in January 2006 over a matter involving NPA board membership. Staff recommended Millennium in April, the NPA-dominated council approved it unanimously, and the deal came into effect last August.

CANADIAN PRESS

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