Asks conflict commissioner to step aside
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Apr 27/01) - Deputy premier Jane Groenewegen maintains a conflict-of-interest complaint against her is unfounded.
The statement indicated that though Groenewegen is listed as a director on the corporate registry, she has not "in any capacity" acted as a director.
Groenewegen was not aware she remained a director until being informed of it in a media interview.
In the one-page statement Groenewegen also said she is concerned about the objectivity of conflict commissioner Carol Roberts.
Groenewegen's lawyer, Barrie Chivers, said he and the cabinet minister requested, "the appointment of a special conflict of interest commissioner to act in (Roberts) place with respect to this complaint."
Chivers said the "apprehension of bias" that led to the request was based on comments the commissioner has made since the allegations arose, but would not elaborate.
"It isn't appropriate for us to engage in combat through the media," said Chivers. "It's just inappropriate."
Chivers would not say if the commissioner advised Groenewegen to give up her directorships or when Groenewegen last received direction from the commissioner.
Groenewegen's response to the complaint, filed by Hay River businessman Jack Rowe, was delivered to Roberts yesterday.
Asked how long the response was, Chivers would say only "substantial."
