Latest news with #ConflictofInterestAct
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Bona fide' changes to Nunavut law as legislature sitting wraps up
A modernization of Nunavut's pharmacy profession laws was one of five bills approved as the Nunavut legislative assembly's spring sitting came to a close Tuesday. MLAs met in Iqaluit for nine days for the second-last sitting before Nunavummiut head to the polls in the Oct. 27 territorial election. Commissioner Eva Aariak presided over the assent ceremony to sign the bills they passed into law. The Pharmacy Profession Act is what Health Minister John Main has described as an 'modernization' of Nunavut's pharmacy laws. It allows Nunavut pharmacists to administer vaccines and prescribe treatments for minor illnesses. It also establishes a pharmacist registration system, and outlines a complaints and disciplinary process, among other provisions. A supplementary appropriations bill adds $4.2 million in capital budget spending across the territory's departments of justice, family services, and executive and intergovernmental affairs for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. The capital budget for the current fiscal year, which totals more than $350 million, was originally tabled in October during the fall sitting. Another bill replaces Latin text with plain language across several territorial laws, such as 'bona fide' with 'good faith' in acts such as the Business Corporations Act and Conflict of Interest Act, and 'ex parte' with 'without notice' in several acts. A lengthy bill that outlines regulations of early learning and child care centres in Nunavut was approved and received assent after it was initially tabled in the winter sitting. Finally, MLAs passed a bill that adjusts which documents are published in the Nunavut Gazette. For example, notices of incorporations will now be published 'on a website maintained by or for the registrar' instead of in the Nunavut Gazette. Some bills didn't pass this assembly. Notably, a proposed amendment to the Vital Statistics Act would have added a non-binary sex option on birth certificates. That would have allowed people who do not identify as male or female to change their birth certificates to that third sex option if they chose to do so. Main said he was hoping the bill would pass this sitting because June is Pride Month. 'Support for gender-diverse individuals, it's very sensitive and it actually is connected to our work on suicide prevention,' Main told reporters last week. 'Individuals who are gender-diverse and are not adequately supported can be at risk of adverse mental health outcomes including suicide attempts or suicide.' However, that bill and two others tabled this sitting await review from the standing committee on legislation. Along with the signing of bills, MLAs offered their parting messages. Notably, Minister David Akeeagok gave early notice that he won't seek re-election this fall as the MLA for Quttiktuk. He wants prospective candidates to start talking with their families about possibly replacing him. Other statements from MLAs Tuesday included celebrations of high school graduates, tributes to individual family and community members, and talk of fishing derbies. Speaker Tony Akoak thanked legislative staff and the chamber's Inuktitut and Innuinaqtun interpreters for their work. 'We have had a very good, productive couple of weeks of meetings in the house,' he said. 'Have a safe journey home.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Inquiry must be called to get answers on sand mine scandal
Opinion It's pretty clear by now that an inquiry should be called into the Sio Silica scandal. Ethics Commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor released his long-awaited report into the matter this week. He found that former premier Heather Stefanson, then deputy premier Cliff Cullen and then economic development minister Jeff Wharton, violated the province's Conflict of Interest Act by attempting to approve a licence for a controversial silica sand mining project after their government was defeated in the Oct. 3, 2023 provincial election. All three ministers pushed to have a Class 2 licence under the Environment Act approved for Sio Silica, days before the new NDP government was sworn into office. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Ethics Commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor found that former premier Heather Stefanson, then deputy premier Cliff Cullen and then economic development minister Jeff Wharton, violated the province's Conflict of Interest Act. They did so even though they knew, or ought to have known, that it violated the 'caretaker convention,' a longstanding constitutional principle in Canada that prohibits governments from making major policy decisions once a general election is called (unless it's related to an urgent matter of public importance). 'The efforts to have the project licence approved by Ms. Stefanson, Mr. Cullen and Mr. Wharton were taken despite their knowledge that voters had rejected the former government and had placed their trust in a new government,' Schnoor wrote in his report. 'All three knew the requirements of the caretaker convention and both Mr. Cullen and Mr. Wharton had been given specific warnings that approving the project licence during the transition period would breach the convention.' They never did get the project approved. But they tried every which way to manipulate the system to get the job done. That included attempting to invoke a never-before-used section of the Environment Act, which allows the environment minister to approve a Class 2 licence, something normally handled by a senior public servant, in this case the director of the Environmental Approvals Branch. Then-environment minister Kevin Klein and acting minister at the time Rochelle Squires were asked by Wharton following the election to approve the licence. Both refused. 'The exercise of power in a matter of great controversy and with long-term implications, even if well motivated, was improper within the meaning of the act and calls for significant denunciation,' wrote Schnoor. There are good reasons why cabinet ministers should not make major policy decisions during elections, especially after they are defeated at the polls. They no longer have the mandate of the people to act. Attempting to do so is an affront to democracy. Schnoor recommended all three minsters should be fined (something the legislative assembly must vote on). Wharton has apologized for his actions (he initially denied any wrongdoing) and he was stripped of his critic role by Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan. But he's still in caucus. Stefanson, though, has been defiant. She claims she did nothing wrong, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. It's further evidence that she was never fit to be premier. 'None of the decisions I took in the period before the new NDP government was sworn in were made for any purpose other than to further and protect the public interest.' Stefanson said in a written statement from her lawyer. Her statement makes no sense. She was prohibited from making major policy decisions once an election was called, whether she believed it was in the public interest or not. She subverted democracy and is refusing to take responsibility for her role in this scandal. This matter should not end here. Manitobans deserve to know what motivated Stefanson, Cullen and Wharton to try to push this licence through. Schnoor said he found no evidence the ministers in question would have benefited personally from the project. But he had limited ability to delve further into what the motivating factors were. That is why a commission of inquiry under the Evidence Act should be called. An inquiry, headed by an independent commissioner, would have broad investigative powers, including the ability to gather necessary evidence and compel witness testimony in public hearings. Who stood to benefit from this project? Why was there such an urgent push to have it approved after the Tories lost the election? Wednesdays A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future. Manitobans deserve answers to those questions. And those involved should be held accountable for their actions. More importantly, an inquiry is necessary to explore options to try to prevent this from happening in the future. This isn't just about a few cabinet ministers trying to do an end-run around the law. It's about preserving and protecting our democratic institutions. Premier Wab Kinew should call an inquiry to get to the bottom of this mess. Tom BrodbeckColumnist Tom Brodbeck is a columnist with the Free Press and has over 30 years experience in print media. He joined the Free Press in 2019. Born and raised in Montreal, Tom graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and commerce. Read more about Tom. Tom provides commentary and analysis on political and related issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level. His columns are built on research and coverage of local events. The Free Press's editing team reviews Tom's columns before they are posted online or published in print – part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Global News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Manitoba Tory loses critic duties but remains in caucus after ethics probe
Manitoba Opposition leader Obby Khan stripped a Progressive Conservative caucus member of his critic duties Thursday, as questions continued to swirl about the former government's actions related to a proposed silica sand mine. Jeff Wharton, one of three Tories found this week to have violated the province's conflict of interest law, is to remain in caucus but will no longer serve as critic for business, mining, trade and job creation. 'I have removed his critic role in light of this report that came out … and we'll move forward from there,' Khan said. The province's ethics commissioner ruled in a report Wednesday that former premier Heather Stefanson, former deputy premier Cliff Cullen and Wharton, the economic development minister at the time, acted improperly by pushing for an environmental licence to be granted to the Sio Silica mining project after the Tories lost the 2023 election to the NDP. Story continues below advertisement Wharton apologized in the legislature and said he accepted the report's findings. He was not made available to reporters. 'To all Manitobans — and particularly the (people of) Red River North, the constituents that I have the honour to represent every single day — I am sorry. I will do better,' Wharton said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Ethics commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor wrote that despite the election loss, the three Tories tried to get the project approved before the new NDP government, led by Wab Kinew, was sworn in. Their actions violated the Conflict of Interest Act and contravened the caretaker convention — a long-standing parliamentary principle that forbids outgoing governments from making major decisions, the report said. The project did not get approved, due in part to opposition from bureaucrats and two other Tory ministers. The NDP government formally rejected the proposal months later. Stefanson and Cullen have since left politics. Stefanson, in a prepared statement, said she was only acting to further and protect the public interest. Cullen has not returned requests for comment. Schnoor is recommending fines of $18,000 for Stefanson, $12,000 for Cullen and $10,000 for Wharton. The legislature will vote whether to accept the report. Khan said he will vote in favour and believes his caucus will as well. Story continues below advertisement Kinew said there are still many unanswered questions about the former Tory government's actions that need to be answered. 'Why were they so intent on ignoring the results of the election to improperly further this private interest?' Kinew said. The report said there was no evidence that the three politicians would have gained anything financially had the project gone ahead, but Kinew said the ethics commissioner's ability to delve into any possible financial ties was limited. The premier also pointed to the report's findings that some of what the commissioner was told by the Tory politicians contradicted the evidence. Schnoor's report said the facts he learned 'simply do not support the assertions made by Ms. Stefanson,' including a statement from her that the project was at risk if approval did not come quickly. Schnoor also said Wharton told him about a conversation with Cullen that the commissioner ruled didn't happen. Kinew said there will be more discussion on the issues in the legislature in the days and weeks ahead. 'There's a whole lot of unanswered questions here that really speak to a group in the PC universe, including the former premier, who did some really bad things,' Kinew said. 'So I think there's a lot more that needs to be accounted for.'
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Manitoba Tory loses critic duties but remains in caucus after ethics probe
WINNIPEG - Manitoba Opposition leader Obby Khan stripped a Progressive Conservative caucus member of his critic duties Thursday, as questions continued to swirl about the former government's actions related to a proposed silica sand mine. Jeff Wharton, one of three Tories found this week to have violated the province's conflict of interest law, is to remain in caucus but will no longer serve as critic for business, mining, trade and job creation. 'I have removed his critic role in light of this report that came out ... and we'll move forward from there,' Khan said. The province's ethics commissioner ruled in a report Wednesday that former premier Heather Stefanson, former deputy premier Cliff Cullen and Wharton, the economic development minister at the time, acted improperly by pushing for an environmental licence to be granted to the Sio Silica mining project after the Tories lost the 2023 election to the NDP. Wharton apologized in the legislature and said he accepted the report's findings. He was not made available to reporters. 'To all Manitobans — and particularly the (people of) Red River North, the constituents that I have the honour to represent every single day — I am sorry. I will do better,' Wharton said. Ethics commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor wrote that despite the election loss, the three Tories tried to get the project approved before the new NDP government, led by Wab Kinew, was sworn in. Their actions violated the Conflict of Interest Act and contravened the caretaker convention — a long-standing parliamentary principle that forbids outgoing governments from making major decisions, the report said. The project did not get approved, due in part to opposition from bureaucrats and two other Tory ministers. The NDP government formally rejected the proposal months later. Stefanson and Cullen have since left politics. Stefanson, in a prepared statement, said she was only acting to further and protect the public interest. Cullen has not returned requests for comment. Schnoor is recommending fines of $18,000 for Stefanson, $12,000 for Cullen and $10,000 for Wharton. The legislature will vote whether to accept the report. Khan said he will vote in favour and believes his caucus will as well. Kinew said there are still many unanswered questions about the former Tory government's actions that need to be answered. 'Why were they so intent on ignoring the results of the election to improperly further this private interest?' Kinew said. The report said there was no evidence that the three politicians would have gained anything financially had the project gone ahead, but Kinew said the ethics commissioner's ability to delve into any possible financial ties was limited. The premier also pointed to the report's findings that some of what the commissioner was told by the Tory politicians contradicted the evidence. Schnoor's report said the facts he learned 'simply do not support the assertions made by Ms. Stefanson,' including a statement from her that the project was at risk if approval did not come quickly. Schnoor also said Wharton told him about a conversation with Cullen that the commissioner ruled didn't happen. Kinew said there will be more discussion on the issues in the legislature in the days and weeks ahead. 'There's a whole lot of unanswered questions here that really speak to a group in the PC universe, including the former premier, who did some really bad things,' Kinew said. 'So I think there's a lot more that needs to be accounted for.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025.
Global News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Manitoba ethics commissioner faults former premier for pushing mining project
Former Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson and two of her Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers violated the province's conflict-of-interest law and should be fined, the province's ethics commissioner ruled Wednesday. In a 100-page report, ethics commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor said Stefanson, then-deputy premier Cliff Cullen and then-economic development minister Jeff Wharton acted improperly by pushing for the approval of a silica sand mining project after the Tories lost the Oct. 3, 2023, election to the NDP. Despite the election loss, the three Tories tried to get the Sio Silica project approved before the new NDP government, led by Wab Kinew, was to be sworn in, Schnoor wrote. Their actions violated the Conflict of Interest Act and contravened the caretaker convention — a long-standing parliamentary principle that forbids outgoing governments from making major decisions. 'The caretaker convention stands at the very core of our democracy,' the report said. Story continues below advertisement 'A government that loses an election has lost the confidence of the people and has lost the legitimacy to do anything beyond maintaining the status quo until the new government can take office.' Schnoor is recommending fines of $18,000 for Stefanson, $12,000 for Cullen and $10,000 for Wharton. The legislative assembly gets to make the final decision. There was no evidence that the three politicians would have had any financial gain had the project gone ahead, Schnoor wrote, but their actions amounted to improperly furthering the interests of other people. Stefanson, in a written statement from her lawyer Wednesday, said she talked with the incoming NDP government about the project. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I had no obligation to do so but reached out to the incoming government and fully considered their views before deciding on what to do. No licence was issued to the applicant by my government,' the statement read. 'None of the decisions I took in the period before the new NDP government was sworn in were made for any purpose other than to further and protect the public interest.' The Canadian Press was unable to contact Cullen, who, like Stefanson, has left politics. He told Schnoor that he had simply sought information and did not pressure anyone, but that was contradicted by other evidence, the report said. Story continues below advertisement Wharton, the only one of the three who still holds elected office, was not at the legislature Wednesday. He has offered to publicly apologize and has described his actions as a good-faith error in judgment, Schnoor's report said. The mining project would have created thousands of wells over 24 years across a large swath of southeastern Manitoba and created many jobs, although only an initial phase was being considered for approval. The NDP government rejected the project in February 2024, citing the potential impact on drinking water among other concerns. The conflict of interest first came to light after Rochelle Squires and Kevin Klein, two other former Tory cabinet ministers, said they were called by Wharton after the election and pressured to award the project an environmental licence. They both said they refused because of the caretaker convention. Wharton denied the accusation in a media interview in December that year. Kinew said the report is history-making. 'The premier of the day here was found to have broken the law and not had constitutional legitimacy,' Kinew told reporters. 'I hope Manitobans, in fact all Canadians, take a look at this and see how sad it is when a government that loses power tries to exercise its final gasps in such an unethical way.' Story continues below advertisement The legislature will likely wait until after the summer break to decide whether to accept Schnoor's report and impose the fines, Kinew said. Obby Khan, a former cabinet minister under Stefanson who was elected this spring as Tory leader, said there is a need to clear up what can be done under the caretaker convention. 'I accept the rulings of the commissioner … I also accept that there needs to be an update within the caretaker convention as well, so that this doesn't happen going forward,' he said. Klein, who lost his seat in the election, called on Wharton to resign his legislature seat. 'There's a line between serving the public and serving political interests, and in this case that line was clearly crossed,' he said. Sio Silica said in a statement the company was not the subject of the investigation and was not found to have acted improperly. It has renewed plans for silica sand extraction in Manitoba.
