Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 04/98) - Ministers John Todd and Goo Arlooktoo at the Morin inquiry Tuesday, stated that Premier Don Morin was not present during discussions over an office complex being built on property owned by the premier.

Their statements contradict recorded cabinet minutes of May 16, 1996 that indicate Morin came into the 10:16 a.m. meeting at 10:22 a.m. and assumed the chair.

Finance minister Todd, along with other cabinet ministers, also signed a letter dated May 15, 1998 that stated the premier had declared a conflict and left the meeting when the lease discussions came up.

"Do you remember that (letter)?" asked conflict of interest commissioner Anne Crawford.

Todd did not answer the question, repeatedly insisting Morin had not been in the cabinet meeting.

"Did he declare and leave," Crawford asked again.

"I don't recall," responded Todd. "We made the decision with Mr. Arlooktoo in the chair in which Mr. Morin did not attend the meeting."

"The minutes certainly don't show him leaving the room," said Crawford.

"Well I can tell you, unequivocally, and I'm sure my colleagues will confirm it, Mr. Morin was not in the chair and not at the meeting when that issue was discussed," said Todd.

"That's not the same thing as declaring a conflict," said Crawford.

"I'm just telling you, he wasn't at the meeting and there was a reason for it. That's the normal practice that's done in cabinet," said Todd.

Crawford asked again if the premier declared a conflict at the meeting. Todd again said he (Morin) wasn't in the meeting when they discussed the issue.

"I'll take that as a no," said Crawford.

Arlooktoo takes the stand

Arlooktoo, public works and services minister at the time, was asked if he ever recalled Morin declaring a conflict in 1996. Arlooktoo said he couldn't recall because they are very rare occurrences. Crawford suggested that it might be so rare that he might remember it.

Arlooktoo paused and said: "I believe Mr. Morin felt he had a conflict and made arrangements that he would not be there and that's what the minutes show," said Arlooktoo.

Crawford asked why a letter confirming Morin declared a conflict and left the meeting was written in May of this year and signed by the ministers, including him.

"It was to show that the minutes, I believe, had not clearly stated that Mr. Morin was not part of the discussions," he said.

"It says here that Mr. Morin declared a conflict of interest. Did that happen?" asked Crawford.

"I cannot recall at this point if it happened or not," said Arlooktoo.

"Could you have recalled on May 15, (1998)?" asked Crawford.

"I may have, but as I say, cannot recall right now," he said.

"Did Mr. Morin leave the meeting?" she asked.

"Yes," he said.

"When was he in the meeting?" she asked."

"The minutes show he came in at a certain point," he said.

"Did he leave the meeting?" she asked.

"That's what the letter says," he said.

"Is it true?" she questioned.

"The point of the letter is to show that Mr. Morin had no involvement and was not part of the discussions on the (negotiation) of that lease and that's what the letter conveys. Perhaps not as accurately or clearly as it should."

Arlooktoo said he would not sign the same letter today unless it stated that Morin took no part in the discussion or the decision.