Premier involved in public inquiry
Eight allegations of conflict of interest

by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 01/98) - Conflict of Interest Commissioner Anne Crawford has called a public inquiry into a complaint against Premier Don Morin.

Crawford met with Jane Groenewegen, the MLA who laid the complaint, her lawyer and Morin's lawyers last Thursday and announced the long-awaited decision Friday.

Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen welcomed the news.

"I'm pleased for the benefit of all parties, the Northern constituents, the members of the legislature and myself that the commissioner has decided to investigate these matters further because it will give them a full public hearing and respond to the questions that have been hanging over the government," she said.

Groenewegen added that her lawyer has advised her not to say too much at this point.

Speaker Sam Gargan tabled the commissioner's report in the House on Friday.

Of Groenewegen's 11 allegations, eight will be the subject of the public inquiry, which Crawford urged be held as soon as possible. Three other complaints were dismissed "as not having sufficient grounds."

The allege conflicts include:

  • The possibility Morin received benefits from living in a home owned by his close friend, Mike Mrdjenovich.

  • Morin's role in the extension of a lease of office space at Lahm Ridge Tower, a building recently purchased by Mrdjenovich and Roland Bailey, a former cabinet secretary.

  • Morin's role in awarding government contracts to Nova Construction, a company owned by Mrdjenovich.

  • Morin's involvement in the circumstances surrounding the sale of a Fort resolution property and whether or not he benefited from the sale.

  • Morin's role in the transfer of the bison herd formerly located in Hanging Ranch Ice Ranch to the Deninu K'ue Ranch near Fort Resolution.

  • Morin's connection to the decision of the GNWT to award a contract to a company in which Bailey has an interest and whether or not Bailey had access to a report on privatization of the Petroleum Products Division before the contract was awarded.

  • Morin's involvement in the NWT Aurora Fund (1996) and NWT Aurora Fund II.

  • Other matters that may come up from the investigation.

    Morin said Friday that he was"confident that what is left of the complaint will also be dismissed."

    Groenewegen filed the complaint against Morin Feb. 16 to clear the air about suspicion, innuendo and general distrust she said was directed at the government.

    Three days later, Crawford responded and said it would take two weeks to decide on a public hearing. Her deadline was postponed after a number of preliminary issues came up, namely whether or not Groenewegen should receive legal counsel paid for by the GNWT.

    On March 19, Crawford ordered publicly funded counsel for Groenewegen. Morin responded by asking Crawford to step aside for reason of bias.

    Crawford refused and gave Morin until May 25 to respond to her request for information.