Stepping down
Premier Don Morin resigns, vowing to continue efforts to clear name

Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 27/98) - Vowing to continue to fight to clear his name, NWT Premier Don Morin stepped down yesterday afternoon, less than 24 hours after a damning report on his behaviour by the territorial conflict of interest commissioner was released.

Before a hushed crowd of politicians, journalists and legislative staffers, an obviously shaken Morin said his resignation would take effect at 5:00 p.m. Thursday.

He also said he would remain as MLA for Tu Nedhe and take his fight over Anne Crawford's report and methods to the floor of the legislature in the coming weeks.

"I still believe this whole process was a biased process," he said. "The conflict commissioner was very biased. I believe that she did not follow the natural rules of justice in carrying out the inquiry.... I believe that she showed a total...disregard to myself as premier of the Northwest Territories."

Morin was applauded as he left a podium and returned to the executive's offices on the legislature's second floor after his brief remarks.

Morin's lawyers made a similar argument in court Wednesday. NWT Supreme Court Justice John Vertes rejected their application to seal Crawford's report.

On Thursday night, GNWT press secretary Judy Langford said she understood the former premier's legal action would continue.

Goo Arlooktoo, who was deputy premier before Morin's announcement, said cabinet had decided he will serve as acting premier until MLAs can elect a new one.

"I respect Don Morin's decision to resign as premier in the interest of restoring confidence in this government and for personal and family reasons," he said in a statement.

Arlooktoo said there was no discussion in cabinet of Morin's fighting it out and remaining in office.

"The premier informed us of his decision," Arlooktoo said.

He also said a committee of GNWT deputy ministers has already been struck to examine Crawford's report to determine what changes could be made to improve government operating procedures in light of the inquiry.

Last night, MLAs announced they would chose a replacement for Morin Dec. 10.

Members vote by secret ballot.

Morin, first elected as an MLA in 1987, was chosen as premier by the leadership committee of the legislative assembly on Nov. 20, 1995.