Territory spends $1,700 for diand minister's jacket
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 18/00) - Premier Stephen Kakfwi's gift of a $1,700 suede jacket given to Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Robert Nault is under review by the federal ethics counsellor.
MP's cannot keep gifts valued at more than $1,000. The federal watchdog will determine if Nault breached protocol by wearing the jacket.
Nault recieved the jacket in Yellowknife last Monday and wore it during a signing ceremony at the legislature.
The gift -- a D'Arcy Moses creation -- was an act of good will on behalf of the territories, said Kakfwi's press secretary Drew Williams.
"There was an intent for (Nault) to wear it during the signing ceremony.
What he does with it afterward was not stipulated," Williams said.
An identical D'Arcy Moses jacket marked down from $1,795 to $1,295 was in Centre Square mall on Friday.
Municipal officials apparently missed the sale.
Williams confirmed that at least $1,700 was used from the executive council budget to pay for the jacket.
Nault's press officer Nancy Pine said the gift's value was not discussed during the meeting.
"It's not uncommon for the Minister to receive extravagant gifts, especially from Aboriginal groups" she said.
Pine said Nault is aware of the gift protocol that governs Members of Parliament.
