NNSL (Jul 31/98) - When MLA Jane Groenewegen meets with lawyers for the NWT conflict of interest commissioner Tuesday, she expects to be named a participant in the inquiry.

But so far, Groenewegen has no idea how she'll pay for the lawyer that she will need as a participant, one that will be allowed to cross-examine witnesses in the investigation into Premier Don Morin's business dealings.

The legislative assembly's management services board's decision not to pay for her lawyer has left the complainant in the inquiry with few options.

"How ridiculous would be if everyone else has a lawyer and I don't?" she said Thursday in an interview with Yellowknifer. "I am not just any witness. I am the complainant."

Groenewegen could pay for the lawyer herself, but the bill could be a hefty one. She could also refuse to take part, but then face a subpoena forcing to testify.

There is also the possibility of a public fundraising campaign. "A lot of people have approached me and said, 'If there's anything I can do, including a campaign....'" she said.

Groenewegen said she is considering appealing the management board's decision not to pay for her lawyer to the NWT Supreme Court.

"I have confidence in the research my lawyer has done," she said. "I'm optimistic about the prospects under a ruling of a judge."

Her lawyer has yet to be paid, she noted, and was working under a contingency arrangement with conflict of interest commissioner Anne Crawford.