Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 25/98) - Several NWT cabinet ministers are among the close to 40 witnesses that have been called to testify during a public inquiry into conflict of interest allegations involving Premier Don Morin.

"I don't think I should go into detail in terms of how many ministers have been subpoenaed," said Robert Dunseith, legal counsel for conflict commissioner Anne Crawford.

"We have served subpoenas on all the ministers we believe have relevant information in the complaint."

Not all interviews have been done in the investigation yet, added Dunseith.

Some witnesses have to be re-interviewed as well because of new information and documentation that has come up in recent weeks.

Dunseith said it has been challenging preparing for the hearing especially since all interviews have to be summed up and given to participants in the inquiry at least two weeks prior to the inquiry.

"We have been working very hard to try to live within the time frames the commissioner imposed and as far as that goes we've been working overtime so that we will be in a position to get there," said Dunseith.

The inquiry, scheduled to begin Oct. 13, is expected to last about two weeks.

Before the inquiry begins, commission counsel will give a summary of the law surrounding a conflict of interest complaint. Counsel will also give a list of misdemeanours that would result in a conflict under then legislative assembly and Executive Council Act.

"There are quite a few ways a member can get in trouble, so to speak. The elements of those transgressions, I could give you a 150-page memo about that and in fact we will be," said Dunseith.

"It ranges anywhere from a member receiving a personal benefit from his public office which would be the most serious matter right down to conduct that would create a perception of impropriety."

The conflict commissioner will make recommendations based partly on commission counsel's summary during proceedings.