Jane's talking to lawyer

Minister calls conflict allegation 'false'

Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 28/01) - Deputy Premier Jane Groenewegen is refusing to speak on the second conflict of interest controversy she has been at the centre of in the last four months.

Jane Groenewegen

In a terse press release issued Tuesday afternoon, Groenewegen called a CBC report that alleges she is in violation of conflict of interest law for remaining a director of two Hay River companies completely "false."

"I take this very seriously and, therefore, will be making no further comment on the matter until I have had adequate opportunity to consult with my solicitors regarding the accusations and allegations made by the CBC," read the release.

Papers filed at the public registry show the Hay River South MLA and her husband, Richard Groenewegen, are the sole directors of Greenway Realty Ltd. and Greenway Holdings Ltd.

The Minister of Health and Social Services filed notice March 1, 2000 that she was no longer a director of 953756 NWT Ltd. In her place Richard Groenewegen was named sole director.

NWT conflict of interest law prohibits ministers from serving as a director of any company and requires all members to arrange their private affairs "in such a manner as to maintain public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of the member."

Cabinet ministers must surrender control of their business interests to one or more trustees who are at arms length from the member. The provisions of the trust must be approved by the conflict of interest commissioner.

Groenewegen's disclosure statement notes her businesses hold leases with the NWT Liquor Commission, Hay River Housing Authority, Financial Management Board Secretariat and NWT Power Corporation.

An official in Groenewegen's office said the minister would not say which of her companies holds the leases or how much the leases are worth.

Members are required to file a disclosure report with the conflict-of-interest commissioner such information.

Last November the conflict-of-interest commissioner ruled Groenewegen violated conflict of interest law, but not seriously enough to warrant a public inquiry.

The decision related to a complaint filed by Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger regarding Groenwegen's use of a vehicle owned by one of her companies.