Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 19/98) - An inquiry into an allegation of conflict of interest by Premier Don Morin will begin Oct. 13, five days after the next sitting of the legislative assembly is scheduled to adjourn. The five days will give Morin's lawyer, John Hustwick, sufficient time to prepare his client for the inquiry.

The date was nailed down yesterday morning when Hustwick, joined by conflict commissioner Anne Crawford, commission counsel, Robert Dunseith and other legal counsel involved in the matter met over a conference call. Before Crawford agreed to the October date, legal counsel of all parties involved were given the opportunity to offer suggestions of a tentative date.

Hustwick at first wanted the inquiry to begin Aug. 24 before further damage is done to Morin's reputation.

"I foresee this going well into November, if not 1999, and that works an injustice to Mr. Morin. He is the subject of this cloud, particularly risen by a distasteful advertisement placed in the local newspaper," said Hustwick, referring to an ad placed in the Yellowknifer by commission counsel. The ad call for information about the seven reference points being looked at in the complaint.

"He is the constant subject of abusive press coverage and inferences and innuendos," Hustwick said.

One delay to the inquiry is the question of whether or not Jane Groenewegen, who laid the complaint, and others should receive publicly-funded counsel for the inquiry.

The GNWT turned down the chance to clarify Crawford's authority to order counsel by refusing a judicial reference to the Supreme Court.

Groenewegen's lawyer, Barry Chivers was forced to make an application to the Supreme Court last week to get money owed to him for work he's done for Groenewegen.

The case should also clarify Crawford's power. Chivers application will be heard next week. How long the court case will last is unknown. Hustwick said the legal fee matter has nothing to do with the inquiry and therefore should proceed.

"I think it's naive to think that the application might not go to an appeal," said Hustwick.

Another issue dealt with on Tuesday had to do with disclosure of information to Morin's lawyer.

Hustwick asked Crawford two weeks ago at a pre-hearing to make available all records of interviews with witnesses, including videotapes and notes taken by commission counsel.

Crawford told Hustwick he should not expect a play-by-play of commission counsel's case during proceedings but he can expect over the next few weeks copies of the 40 interviews commission counsel has conducted with witnesses in the investigation.

The public inquiry is expected to last two weeks if no further obstacles come up.