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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - In a session just two days old, and already filled with its share of controversy, Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen levelled an accusation against Hay River Mayor Jean-Marc Miltenberger, saying he saw a confidential document after entering into her office when she wasn't there.

Groenewegen raised a point of privilege against Finance Minister Miltenberger, because he had allowed his brother, Jean-Marc, to go down to her office, in a restricted area of the legislative assembly where guests are required to be accompanied by the person who signed them in.

She found a note written by Jean-Marc on her desk.

"I was immediately concerned as there were sensitive and confidential documents in plain view on my desk," she said.

Included amongst the documents, she said, was a draft of the non-confidence motion she presented in the house Friday.

She said Jean-Marc saw the document, as he gave an interview to the Hay River Hub criticizing the motion before it had been announced.

Groenewegen said unauthorized access to the private office space of any MLA is a breach of the member's parliamentary privilege.

"I view the release of this type of sensitive information to be in contempt of this house," she said.

Michael Miltenberger confirmed he signed his brother into the restricted area.

"He did want to go down and pay a quick courtesy call to the member who wasn't there and he left her a message," he said.

"I think the rest is assumption on the member's part."

"She has made some fairly damning accusations against the mayor," he added.

"If I was remiss for letting my brother out of my sight for 30 seconds, then I guess I have to be held accountable for that."

Groenewegen said the note contained a brief hello message, with the time, the date and Jean-Marc's signed name.

Speaker Paul Delorey said he would rule on the point of privilege at a later date.

Jean-Marc Miltenberger, who admits leaving the note, dismissed Groenewegen's allegations calling them false and offensive.

The mayor said Groenewegen has done Hay River a disservice by trying to bring down the government because of her "blind ambition" to reclaim a cabinet position.