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Erik Bornman (b. 1976) is a former consultant founding partner of Pilothouse Public Affairs and a current articling student. His political involvement began as a teenager in high school and continued throughout his university years, having been a former President of the Young Liberals of Canada (British Columbia) as well as holding executive posts with the Liberal Party of Canada in BC. He holds a B.Comm. degree from the University of Victoria and a LL.B. from University of British Columbia.

Young Liberals

As a former President of the Young Liberals in BC, Erik Bornman helped build that organisation to eventually become one of the strongest voices in the Liberal Party of Canada. Though there have often been competing views and competing personalities as is apt to occur in the political sphere, one thing is certain: Bornman worked hard to ensure young liberals had their voices heard loud and clear and helped build the organisation into the political force it is today.

As an advocate of the "University Model Parliament", in 1999 Bornman commented to Simon Fraser University's student newspaper:

" offers students the opportunity to gain a better understanding of their political affiliations." By interacting with students from their own and other parties, it allows them to gain a clearer picture of Canada's current political arena. He also said that the experience offers him a chance to "get (my) fix as a political junkie."

As a young person, Bornman helped build Pilothouse Public Affairs into a strong government relations firm. Erik has since left Pilothouse Public Affairs to pursue other opportunities

Political Consultant

Bornman was a founding partner with Pilothouse Public Affairs, a respected government relations firm based in Victoria, BC. Pilothouse had a large client base, though media scrutiny came through their role as registered provincial lobbyists for OmniTRAX, the US-based rail company that was bidding for the billion dollar BC Rail deal against eventual winner CN Rail and CP Rail. Although there were allegation of breach of fairness, it is important to note that OmniTRAX were not the successful winners in the tendering process for BC Rail. A second tender was abandoned by the goverment to ensure the integrity of the tendering process not be diluted by possible information leaks or a perception of unfairness.

Investigation

Investigation

On December 28, 2003 police executed search warrants at the BC Legislature and the homes and offices of prominent Liberals in connection with an investigation into drug dealing, organized crime, and the BC Rail privatization deal. Several high ranking provincial and federal Liberal Party supporters were served. The principles include David Basi, ministerial assistant to Finance Minister Gary Collins, and Bob Virk, ministerial assistant to then­transportation minister Judith Reid.

Other search warrants were also executed: at Basi's home; at the Victoria office of Pilothouse Public Affairs, and at the home office of Bruce Clark, another federal B.C. Liberal executive member and brother to deputy premier Christy Clark.

The search-warrant "information to obtain" or ITO released by police in September, 2004 claims that Bornman offered provincial ministerial aides Dave Basi and Bob Virk a benefit of assistance with finding jobs with the federal Liberal government in exchange for obtaining confidential information about the BC Rail deals. According to the Vancouver Sun (December 22, 2004), search warrant documents released to the media in September alleged that Dave Basi and Virk traded government inside information on the privatization of BC Rail for job recommendations with the federal Liberal government. The documents indicated that police believed Basi and Virk assisted Colorado-based OmniTrax, the firm Bornman represented at the time, in its bid to purchase BC Rail by supplying information on the tendering process. The warrants alleged Basi obtained documents from Virk to assist OmniTRAX. As a result of this, Bornman's lobbying group, Pilothouse, had its offices searched by police.

The same article goes on to note that "Police alleged that Virk and Basi wanted jobs with the federal Liberals and Erik Bornman, a Pilothouse partner, may have recommended the two in a list he sent to Marissen, the husband of former deputy premier Christy Clark." According to the Vancouver Sun (Sept 13, 2004), "he documents show police suspected Dave Basi, the former top aide to Finance Minister Gary Collins, was secretly helping Omnitrax, one of the bidders for BC Rail's Roberts bank line, and Omnitrax lobbyist Erik Bornman."

The Vancouver Sun (September 11, 2004) notes that the Information to Obtain (authorizing the initial police search "alleges Basi and Virk may have received a benefit for their actions from Erik Bornman, a partner in Pilothouse, who may have recommended the two men for jobs with the federal government, even with the knowledge that Basi and Virk's credentials had been fabricated or exaggerated." It is claimed that Basi and Virk had given Bornman résumés with "flaws and fabrications" regarding their academic records , and these were forwarded them to Mark Marissen, Marissen being unaware the resumes were inaccurate. This allegation has never been proven, nor if this is the case is it proven whether Bornman was aware that there were errors or misrepresentations in the résumés given to him.

On Sept 12, 2004, an article by Jeff Rud of the Times Colonist indicates that "police have stated that Bornman is not a subject of investigation."

According to the December 22, 2004 edition of the Vancouver Sun, Dave Basi and Virk now each stand charged with accepting a bribe as a government official, accepting a bribe from someone dealing with government, influence peddling, breach of trust, and two counts of fraud over $5,000. Aneal Basi faces two charges -- accepting a bribe and breach of trust.

Current whereabouts

Erik has begun his articling in Toronto recently after completing a few months of travel.

External links

• McCarthy Tetrault List of Articling Students
• The Tyee, "Spiderman in a Web of Intrigue" Information on Bornman's role in the Legislature Raids
• TDH Strategies, Background information Bornman's role in the Young Liberals
• Kootney Cuts article by Bill Tieleman providing background on Bornman's legal exploits as well as his role in the legislative raids
• Public Eye Online (July 2004) Bornman described as a "political hitman"