Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 18/01) - A report on a conflict-of-interest complaint against the deputy premier should be released, said its author.
Conflict-of-interest commissioner Carol Roberts advised Speaker Tony Whitford she intended to table her report on the complaint last Wednesday if the assembly did not provide any direction to the contrary.
That direction came in the form of a hastily- assembled special committee that will rule on an application from deputy premier Jane Groenewegen. Groenewegen wants to block the release of Roberts' report and have the matter re-investigated by someone else.
"I have a completed report sitting out there," Roberts said the day after the committee was struck.
"I think it's in Mr. (Jack) Rowe's interests that this is tabled, it's in the public interest that it is tabled and it's in the minister's interest that it is tabled."
Groenewegen is alleging statements the commissioner has made raise 'reasonable apprehensions of bias.'
"If they want to debate bias, the appropriate time to do that is after (the report is) released," Roberts said. The debate should focus on the report, the commissioner said.
Groenewegen maintains the report should remain under wraps. "It's kind of ridiculous to raise concerns (about the investigation) at the end of the process," she said.
"It is in the public interest that members complained of have a fair process," said the Hay River MLA.
Jack Rowe, a constituent and business rival of Groenewegen's, filed the complaint April 5, a week after it was revealed that, in apparent violation of ministerial conflict-of-interest requirements, Groenewegen was listed as a director of one of the companies she owns.
Groenewegen has said she was never instructed to give up the directorship by Robert Clark, Roberts' predecessor.
Roberts said she is uncertain whether the application deals only with her capacity to rule on this complaint, or whether it has wider implications concerning her ability to carry out the duties of conflict-of-interest commissioner.
Asked when she anticipates the report will be tabled, Roberts replied, "your guess is as good as mine."
