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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The conflict of interest commissioner ruled that Premier Floyd Roland did not improperly receive benefits to pay rent for a home his family is living in, after he moved out in late November.

Jane Groenewegen, Hay River South MLA, said she wondered how it could be alright for a member to have a statutory declaration signed for a residence where he didn't live and for him to continue receive benefits for it.

"I posed the question and that's his answer," she said, of conflict of interest commissioner Gerald Gerrard's decision.

"So let the public decide."

Roland holds the lease for a Yellowknife property he used to reside in with his wife and four sons. He moved out on Nov. 28, 2008, but continues to receive a housing benefit for the property.

In a letter dated March 5, Groenewegen wrote Gerrard to request he investigate Roland's actions to see whether he was in breach of two sections of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.

She cited sections 86 and 75 in the act, to see whether Roland was improperly receiving benefits and if his actions maintained public confidence in his role as a member of the legislative assembly.

"Premier Roland's obligations under the lease agreement continue unaltered despite the fact he has personally moved from the subject accommodation; his wife and four sons continue to live in the rented accommodation," wrote Gerrard.

Roland issued a statement Friday thanking the commissioner for the quick ruling and hoped the matter could be put behind the assembly and let them move forward.

Groenewegen said the insinuation that the issue was taking MLAs' attention away from working on behalf of the people was overstated and called Roland's response a cop-out.

"To suggest that anyone was consumed with this is ridiculous," she said.

"It's all about accountability."

She said calling people to account was part of a working government.

"If he views it as a disruption to working government, I think he should keep his house in better order."

Roland's statement said he will not provide any further comment on the matter.

Gerrard said he is still in the process of determining whether or not there is validity to another conflict of interest complaint filed by a group of regular MLAs.

They alleged Roland was in conflict by maintaining an intimate relationship with a legislative assembly clerk who sat in on closed-door committee meetings.