Urban Vancouver

Svend Robinson's Statement to Reporters Re: the Theft of a Ring and Quitting Politics

By Richard Eriksson on April 16, 2004 - 11:47am

The following is the transcript of the statement made by Svend Robinson on April 15th regarding pocketing a ring at an auction at Vancouver Airport on Good Friday and his subsequent quitting from the federal election race and taking of medical leave as Member of Parliament for Burnaby-North.

For some time now, I have been suffering from severe stress and emotional pain. While continuing to undertake my responsibilities as the federal member of Parliament for Burnaby-Douglas and to serve my constituents with dedication and hard work, I have experienced great inner turmoil. The reasons for this are, of course, intensely personal and I'm not prepared to discuss them, but among others, relate to the cumulative pressures of dealing with the emotional consequences of a nearly fatal hiking accident.

The past few months have been particularly difficult and painful. This accumulated stress culminated last Friday, on Good Friday, in my engaging in an act that was totally inexplicable and unthinkable.

While attending a public jewelry sale, I pocketed a piece of expensive jewelry. I did this despite knowing full well that the employees who were there recognized me and did so in a context where I'd provided them my full name and contact information in writing and that the entire area was under electronic surveillance. Something just snapped in this moment of total, utter irrationality.

Immediately upon leaving the premises, I realized I must return the jewelry. Too afraid to go back and unable to contact the owners by telephone during the long weekend, I spent a weekend of great anguish determined to return the jewelry at the first opportunity.

On Tuesday morning, I attempted to contact the owners and not being able to do so directly, I went to the police and gave them a full account of what I had done and I returned the jewelry to them. This matter is now in the hands of the police and Crown counsel. My legal counsel, Clayton Ruby, my old friend, has communicated with Crown counsel and outlined the circumstances fully.

I await the decision of Crown counsel and I will not seek to, in any way, avoid full responsibility for my actions should charges be laid in these circumstances.

I have sought, and am receiving, professional medical help to understand and deal with these issues. I've commenced a course of therapy with this objective and I look forward to full healing and recovery with the excellent professional assistance that I am receiving.

Clearly, at this painful and difficult time, while there are outstanding legal and health issues to be addressed, I must devote my full energy and time to recovery and healing.

I will therefore be taking time off for medical leave immediately. My hard-working and experienced staff, who have stood by me like the Rock of Gibraltar in this, will certainly continue to serve the needs of my constituents, and I will remain in close contact with them.

I am also stepping down at this time as the federal New Democrat candidate for Burnaby-Douglas while these issues remain unresolved. I do this with the full support of my federal leader, Jack Layton, my riding president Doug Sigurdson, who is here with me, and my partner, Max Riveron, and without Max, I wouldn't be here today.

I will be meeting in the near future with my riding executive to discuss the longer-term implications of this decision, should an election be called while these issues remain outstanding.

I also want to thank my dear friend (New Democrat MP) Libby Davies for being here, as well as my caucus colleagues for their support.

As you can imagine, this has been a nightmare. I cannot believe that it has happened, but I am human and I have failed.

I have felt such a sense of incredible privilege and honour to serve my constituents here in Burnaby, and indeed the people of Canada. And I feel an equally strong sense of sadness that I have let so many people down -- my constituents, my family, my staff, my colleagues and my party -- people that have looked to me for leadership and I feel that I have let them down.

As I struggle to deal with this issue, I hope I will have the understanding and support of these people. I love this job -- as you know, it's been a quarter of a century, it's been 25 years -- and more than anything else, I would want to be there to support my friend and my leader, Jack Layton, at this time of such great hope and promise for our party.

In light of the very personal nature of this statement -- and I apologize, you'll understand why this is very difficult -- but in light of the very personal nature of this statement, and the outstanding legal issues, I'm not able to take any questions. I hope you understand and I thank you for that understanding.