COURT DATE FOR FORMER LIBERAL AIDE'S POT TRIAL

VICTORIA -- Another court date has been set for former B.C. government
insider David Basi on marijuana-production charges.

Basi lost his job as chief political aide to Liberal house leader Gary
Collins the day after the RCMP raided the legislature last December.

He faces charges of marijuana production and possession for the
purpose of trafficking.

Basi's lawyer, Michael Bolton, appeared on his behalf yesterday in
B.C. Provincial Court.

"He'll be pleading not guilty to these charges," Bolton
said.

The allegations stem from the operation of a grow-house on Vancouver
Island.

It's unlikely Basi will attend his next hearing to enter the
not-guilty plea for himself.

"I'll likely appear on his behalf again at that time," Bolton
said.

Basi's next court date was set for Dec. 20.