Yellowknife (May 07/04) - The man leading the inquiry into the NWT Liquor Licensing Board controversy says he's here not here to vindicate senior-level public servants.

Ethics counsellor Ted Hughes was in Yellowknife earlier this week and spoke with reporters about his investigation into the controversy surrounding the Liquor Licensing Board. - Andrew Raven/NNSL photo

"I don't come here with any preconceived notions," said ethics counsellor Ted Hughes.

The territorial government has asked Hughes to look into allegations that senior public servants "interfered" in cases brought before the liquor board last February.

Felt pressure

Internal documents obtained by Yellowknifer through an access to information request, indicate that two Yellowknife bars may have benefitted from preferential treatment from the Justice Department.

Members of the liquor board also say they felt pressure to scale back punishments against bars who violated the liquor act.

Hughes met with government officials earlier this week to get some background on the controversy.

He expects to know within the next few days the parameters of his inquiry, currently being crafted by lawyers contracted by GNWT.

Hughes said once he receives the terms of reference, he will make them public.

Premier reviewed files

After reviewing internal documents and emails, Premier Joe Handley said last month he was "100 per cent" confident senior officials did not overstep their authority.

"But we need someone objective to verify that," he said late last month.

When told of the Premier's comments Wednesday, Hughes said, "Nobody will be exonerated by me ... if that's not the case."

Hughes will have access to internal Justice and Finance Department documents and will interview senior-level government officials including the Deputy Minister of Justice Don Cooper.

"There's no reason to think he wouldn't talk with me," said Hughes.

"People on both sides will want to talk with me."

Hughes, who lives in Victoria, will be back in Yellowknife on May 25 to conduct interviews around the terms of reference.

He isn't sure exactly how long the inquiry will take, but said he would proceed "as expeditiously as possible."

Hughes said the entire process would be open to public scrutiny.

"A condition of taking this assignment was that the report will be made public," he said.