The new government-appointed chairman of B.C. Transit has deep ties to the B.C. Liberal Party.
Victoria lawyer Frank Carson was named chairman Monday by Transportation Minister Todd Stone. B.C. Transit oversees the public transportation bus system in most of the province, including Greater Victoria, but not Metro Vancouver.
Carson practises commercial and corporate law, and has sat on the boards of the Vancouver Island Health Authority and the Victoria Police Department.
He’s also the constitutional legal adviser to the B.C. Liberal Party. His wife, Primrose, is executive director of the B.C. Liberal caucus, the partisan arm of the governing party at the legislature.
Stone said in a statement that Carson was selected through a board resourcing process that ensures all provincial appointments are made on the basis of merit.
“Mr. Carson is a highly qualified individual with years of experience providing legal advice to transit organizations, government bodies, Crown agencies and the private industry,” Stone said.
“He’ll be able to draw from this broad range of experience as he advises and guides B.C. Transit in the coming years. Simply put, he is the best person for this important and challenging role.”
Previous B.C. Transit board chairman Kevin Mahoney was paid $18,000 last year.
