Minister cites conflict over conflict investigation
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (May 23/01) - Jane Groenewegen will resign from the legislature's board of management tomorrow.
The move comes as the board deals with the second conflict-of-interest investigation against the deputy premier.
Groenewegen said Tuesday she will quit the board because more and more of its time is being taken up with the conflict allegations. As a result, she hasn't been able to take part in discussions, leaving the board short-handed.
"The board is not very big to start with," said Groenewegen. "It's a speaker and four members."
Apart from Groenewegen's resignation, three items on the agenda for Thursday's 9:30 a.m. meeting of the board deal either directly or indirectly with the Groenewegen investigation.
Premier Stephen Kakfwi is responsible for appointing Groenewegen's replacement. The seat is reserved for a cabinet minister.
Over the last two weeks, the board has been drawn into the investigation of a complaint filed against Groenewegen.
The board is responsible for ruling on an application by Groenewegen to have conflict-of-interest commissioner Carol Roberts removed from the investigation.
Groenewegen is alleging statements Roberts has made to the media raise questions about the commissioner's objectivity.
The board oversees operation of the legislative assembly. It is chaired by Speaker Tony Whitford and includes MLAs Brendan Bell, Michael Miltenberger and Floyd Roland.
Calls to Whitford's office were not returned by deadline.
