Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 05/98) - Jane Groenewegen had the last word Tuesday on the conflict of interest public inquiry.

Speaker of the House Sam Gargan said there would be no more talk on the issue as the public inquiry gets under way.

The ruling came after the Hay River MLA made a point of order about a comment Premier Don Morin made the day before inviting her to make herself available as a witness at the inquiry.

He asked her to ... "submit herself to cross-examination, under oath," from his solicitors. I am confident that the truth will be revealed to all those who wait," said Morin on Monday.

Groenewegen said the comments constitute a threat and a breach of parliamentary language.

"One could conceivably interpret the honorable member's invitation to submit to cross-examination.... as an implied threat whereby he implied that under oath I would be forced to reveal information contrary to statements previously made. Which implies that I previously lied and only under oath would the truth be revealed," she said.

Gargan agreed and said that the comments made by the Premier justifiably provoked her point of order and that any comments on this matter causes him considerable concern.

"In light of the calling of a public inquiry into the conflict of interest complaint. I will not allow any more questions or comments made in statements that directly or indirectly deals with the conflict of interest matter," said Gargan.

"In the interest of fairness I will not allow this chamber to be used as a forum that might influence the conflict or interest inquiry."