Last night, an anonymous source posting on Public Eye reported Pat Kinsella, the most powerful Liberal backroom boy in the province, was seated at aluminum giant Alcan Inc.'s table during the Surrey-Panorama Ridge by-election fundraiser. Just to make sure we checked with the company's corporate affairs director Richard Prokopanko. In an interview from Kitimat, Mr. Prokopanko confirmed Mr. Kinsella had invited him to the fundraiser as his guest, where the two were seated together. But he said no lobbying took place, although "one person asked about what the aluminum industry was doing." Mr. Prokopanko also said he was the only Alcan representative at the event.

When asked directly whether Mr. Kinsella engaged in any lobbying on Alcan's behalf at the fundraiser Mr. Prokopanko said, "You'd best ask Mr. Kinsella what he talked about that evening. But we certainly didn't (lobby)." A call placed to Mr. Kinsella has not yet been returned. Mr. Kinsella, who is not listed on the lobbyist registry, has repeatedly denied working as a government relations man for Alcan, instead saying he's been under contract as a communications conusltant for the company. Mr. Kinsella has also denied ever talking to cabinet ministers or their staffers about his clients. Legislation passed by the Liberals requires all lobbyists to register or face a fine of up to $25,000.