NNSL (Jun 17/98) - The conflict of interest hearing into a complaint against Premier Don Morin will likely be held during the second half of August, a source in the commissioner's office said.

Currently, the commissioner, through lawyers in Edmonton, is lining up witnesses and documents to be included in the hearing.

The date of the hearing cannot be set yet, said the source, because it is not known what degree of opposition commissioner Anne Crawford will encounter -- whether witnesses will challenge her orders to testify at the hearing or whether there will be any attempts to exclude documents to be entered as evidence.

Another part of the process yet to be determined is the role witnesses' lawyers will play in the hearing process. For example, it is not known whether they will request, or have, the right to cross-examine the complainant, Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen.

Another outstanding issue is whether the legislative assembly will pay for legal work done on Groenewegen's behalf in preparation for the hearing.

A member of the legislative assembly not involved in the complaint said last week the management and services board has no intention of paying Groenewegen's legal bill.

The member, who did not want to be identified, said the board's position is based on its interpretation of the legislative assembly and Executive Council Act.

The board believes the act gives Crawford the authority to hire lawyers to help the commission prepare for the hearing, but that it does not give Crawford the right to order the board to pay for independent counsel for Groenewegen's preparation.

The hearing will be held in Yellowknife, according to Crawford.

As far as dates go, Crawford said only, "For us, certainly, it has to be done before the house sits again. This thing isn't going to be allowed to sit and fester."

The next session of the legislative assembly begins Sept. 16.