Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 14/98) - If taxpayers do not foot Jane Groenewegen's legal bill through the legislative assembly's management and services board, there is talk of a public legal fund being set up to help her out.

The board has so far refused to pay for counsel to assist the Hay River MLA in her conflict of interest complaint against Premier Don Morin.

One of the proponents of a public fund, if necessary, is city councillor Blake Lyons.

"I'm not saying anybody is guilty of anything but I think the issue has to be cleared," said Lyons.

"We've had the same situation at city council and I have sympathies for both Don Morin and Jane Groenewegen. It's tough for both of them. They work together, but when you hold views and there's a difference of opinion, it has to be resolved."

Groenewegen said many people have come to her in recent months asking if she needs financial backing.

"I have heard of it from many different sources and areas but I have not responded to it because I didn't anticipate all the problems," said Groenewegen.

If a public fund is necessary, the Hay River MLA, who laid the complaint against Premier Don Morin, would feel flattered if people contributed.

Bob MacQuarrie said he is not a proponent of a public fund but when asked by Groenewegen some time ago if it were necessary, would he help, he said, "absolutely."

"I feel that she's doing what a MLA ought to do in raising concerns where the public sees that they have not been served well," said MacQuarrie.

"I don't presume that there is any conflict of interest or vice versa but I just think it's the kind of situation where enough questions are raised that a further look at the matter is required."

Yesterday, Groenewegen's lawyer, Barry Chivers made an application to the NWT Supreme Court to try and collect legal fees owed to him from past work for Groenewegen.

During the Supreme Court hearing, which is expected to start Aug. 26, Crawford's powers will likely be clarified. But, if the judge does not order the government to comply with the commissioner's order, a public fund may be the only route left.

Chivers said he is not in a position to talk about the possibility of a public fund right now.

"There's the court proceedings and we'll take it one step at a time," he said Wednesday.

If Chivers' case is not successful and Groenewegen and others do not receive funding, Robert Dunseith, a commission counsel lawyer said the commissioner might have to forge ahead.

At a pre-hearing last week in Yellowknife, Crawford said she is not willing to wait until sometime in October to get the inquiry started.

"The commissioner may well decide at some point that she can only do so much to accommodate the needs of parties other than the member who is being investigated and that we have to press on regardless. That is a possibility," said Dunseith.