Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Aug 24/98) - While Ed Picco feels that Premier Don Morin is innocent of a conflict-of-interest complaint he is facing until proven guilty, he wants to see some serious reform brought about in the legislative assembly.

"I have spoken to some other MLAs who also think there should be some changes in the way the (management and services board) is operating," said the Iqaluit MLA, referring to the closed meetings of the board.

One of the decisions to come out of those meetings was that the government would not cover legal costs incurred by Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen and other witnesses in the investigation of a conflict-of-interest complaint Groenewegen filed against Morin.

Prior to flying to Yellowknife on political business last week, Picco, the MLA for Iqaluit, spoke out against the decision and called for future reform of the board.

The board is chaired by Deh Cho MLA and Speaker Sam Gargan. MLAs Kelvin Ng, Floyd Roland, Vince Steen and Kevin O'Brien are members.

The board is responsible for the operation of the legislative assembly building, as well as determining what expenses incurred by MLAs will be covered by the government.

"It's a secretive organization...their decisions are not privy to the other members," noted Picco.

He said that by refusing to foot the bill for the legal wrangling, the MSB was sending a negative message to NWT constituents.

"What it means for the general public is if you think someone's in conflict, you can lay a charge but...be afraid to unless you've got Fort Knox behind you."

Picco said he and four or five other MLAs he had recently spoken to want Groenewegen's costs to be paid by the government.

"Mr.Morin is being covered, I think Jane should be covered," said Picco.

He further explained that he didn't fully understand the MSB's decision and said it should, in deference to expediency, follow the commissioner's previous recommendations.

"For a committee of the legislative assembly to overturn the conflict-of-interest commissioner appointed by the legislative assembly, it seems very convoluted."