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Hundial also wants to know how many other meetings with other levels of government Cheema has attended with the mayor, and details about those meetings, if they happened.

After Hundial finished reading his notice of motion, McCallum said, “I could actually make a comment, but I won’t. I’ll leave it at this stage.”

In an emailed statement on Tuesday, McCallum said Hundial’s claim that Cheema was at the meeting “is categorically false. Mr. Cheema has never been present at any meetings I’ve had with the minister.”

According to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, although Cheema was on the calendar Farnworth did not meet with him in November. Cheema was referenced because he was the one who contacted Farnworth’s office to arrange the meeting during the period between when McCallum was elected on Oct. 21, 2018 and when he was sworn in on Nov. 5.

The ministry characterized it as “an introductory meeting,” where one of the subjects discussed was traffic fine revenue sharing.

Hundial, an independent councillor who used to be part of McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition, said on Tuesday that he will wait for a response from staff before saying anything further about the motion.

Cheema could not be reached for comment.

Cheema, through his companies, donated tens of thousands of dollars to McCallum and his Safe Surrey Coalition in the 2014 municipal election, according to financial disclosures.

Although he doesn’t appear to be listed as a donor in the 2018 election, Cheema was one of three “very special people” McCallum thanked during his victory speech on election night for his work behind the scenes.

McCallum said he has worked with Cheema, his friend, for more than 40 years and Cheema was “the reason why I’m here today.”

jensaltman@postmedia.com

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