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Indo-Canadian Businessman, Philanthropist David Sidoo Stripped Of Order Of BC For His Role In US College Admissions Scandal
Convicted Premiers Gordon Campbell And Bill Bennett Can Keep Their OBCs Because They Were Awarded OBC After Their Crimes But David Sidoo Forced To Return His!
Well known Indo-Canadian philanthropist and businessman David Sidoo's membership in the Order of British Columbia was terminated last Friday following his troubles in the US with the College admissions scandal. Sidoo’s supporters pointed to a number of Order recipients who have been convicted of crime including Premiers Bill Bennett and Gordon Campbell. Campbell was found guilty of drunk driving and Bennett was convicted of insider trading. DESIBUZZCanada asked the Honours and Awards Secretariat why the Premiers were not stripped of the Order and they responded by saying that both Campbell and Bennett were awarded the OBC after their convictions. However, they did not clarify why they didn’t initiate action to strip Campbell of the Order following the sexual harassment accusations which occurred after he received the honour.
By R. Paul Dhillon
VICTORIA – Well known Indo-Canadian philanthropist and businessman David Sidoo's membership in the Order of British Columbia was terminated last Friday following his troubles in the US with the College admissions scandal.
Sidoo pleaded guilty in a plea deal recently and is expected to be sentenced soon. He was fined $250,000 and most likely will serve 90 days in jail as part of the plea deal.
BC government said in a press release that Provincial Symbols and Honours Act governs nominations, appointments, resignations and terminations in the Order of B.C., the province's highest honour. According to the act, the chancellor of the Order may terminate a person's membership on the recommendation of the advisory council and with the approval of the executive council. This process is initiated when a member of the Order is convicted of a criminal offence or when their conduct undermines the credibility and integrity of the Order.
Sidoo was appointed to the Order of B.C. on July 26, 2016. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in a U.S. federal court on March 13, 2020.
Supporters of Sidoo think the Order should not have been rescinded as he is deserving for the award. “Everyone makes mistakes and he’s paying a great price for it. But David worked hard to build his reputation and has done a lot of good in the Vancouver community, everything from breakfast program for school kids to donating to numerous worthy causes. Despite his shortcomings, he is deserving of the honour,” said one supporter.
Some of Sidoo’s supporters also pointed to a number of Order recipients who have been convicted of crime including Premiers Bill Bennett and Gordon Campbell.
Campbell was found guilty of drunk driving in January 2003, after visiting broadcaster Fred Latremouille in Hawaii. Campbell was arrested and pleaded no contest for driving under the influence of alcohol. Campbell has also been accused by several women of sexual harassment.
In 1996, Bill Bennett was convicted under BC securities laws of insider trading involving the sale of shares in Doman Securities, an Indo-Canadian owned company in Duncan, ten years after he stepped down as premier.
DESIBUZZCanada asked the Honours and Awards Secretariat why the Premiers were not stripped of the Order and they responded by saying that the Premiers were awarded the OBC after their convictions.
“Both Gordon Campbell (OBC 2011) and Bill Bennett (OBC 2007) received their OBC after their convictions. The OBC Advisory Council along with the executive council in each of the relevant years would have been aware of both individuals’ history and must have determined, on balance, the recipients deserved the OBC,” they told DESIBUZZCanada.
However, they did not clarify why they didn’t initiate action to strip Campbell of the Order following the sexual harassment accusations which occurred after he received the honour.
Woman who accused Gordon Campbell in UK during his Diplomatic stint
They explained the Secretariat’s normal approach to stripping individuals of the honour after they are found to have committed a crime or conduct unbecoming the order as follows:
“The Provincial Symbols and Honours Act governs nominations, appointments, resignations and terminations. According to the Act Section 18.1(2), the chancellor may terminate a person’s membership in the Order on the recommendation of the advisory council and with the approval of the executive council.
“Terminating a person’s membership in the Order is considered when the individual’s subsequent conduct is found to be inconsistent with the principles and values the Order seeks to recognize; for example, when a person has been convicted of a criminal offence. In these cases, a formal and thorough review process is initiated by the advisory council.
“When the termination process is initiated, the individual is provided an opportunity to voluntarily resign or, in fairness, make representations respecting the matter under consideration. The Advisory Council, chaired by the Chief Justice of British Columbia, considers all information (indictments, court transcripts, etc).
“The Advisory Council carefully reviewed all the material provided by Mr. Sidoo, and, on balance, decided that Mr. Sidoo’s behaviour as outlined in the court documents he pleaded guilty to, was not consistent with the OBC.,” they concluded.
