Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 28/99) - A report paid for by the territorial government has cleared bureaucrats of any wrongdoings related to the Lahm Ridge Tower deal.

Vince Steen, the minister of public works, presented the report in the legislative assembly last week which held the good news for employees.

Paid for by the territorial government, the $47,000 report was prepared by Graham McLennan of Alberta-based McLennan Ross Barristers & Solicitors.

Steen said the review focused on the manner in which public works employees performed their duties in relation to the lease of office space in Fort Resolution, the renewal of the lease for Yellowknife's Lahm Ridge Tower as well as the preparation of ministerial briefings -- matters central to the conflict inquiry and Don Morin's decision to step down as premier.

"In summary," said Steen, "Mr. McLennan has concluded in his report the public works employees substantially complied with the processes and policies of the Government of the Northwest Territories in the conduct of their duties."

The report drew a response from Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen during Question Period on Friday.

"Who decided on a review of public works and services and when? By what method was the contract for this work awarded? What are the qualifications of the consultant who performed the review?," she asked, adding, "How much did it cost?"

Deputy Minister Bruce Rattray shed light on the issue Monday.

Rattray said the department had decided back in November it wanted to do something to review what had taken place and address accusations of back-room dealings. But he added that because the department initially supposed the review would be internal and because there were delays in initiating it, the proposal was never announced in the assembly.

"The game plan wasn't to redo the conflict report (issued by commissioner Anne Crawford), but to review those individuals who'd had a part in it," he said.

Rattray said the department chose McLennan Ross to conduct the approximately $47,000 review because of its objectivity and expertise.

Procedure questioned

But Rob Dunseith, a lawyer with Lucas, Bowker and White, and chief commission counsel during the conflict inquiry, questioned McLennan's ability to reach his conclusions in a relatively short period of time and without full access to witnesses, cross-examination and questioning.

"I would certainly contrast the different mandates and approaches involved," he said, "and given the limitations on Mr. McLennan to produce the report it was inevitable that a certain amount of superficiality would be involved."