SASKATCHEWAN NDP CALL FOR TOUGHER RULES FOR PROVINCIAL POLITICIANS
REGINA - Sask. Party Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill has been found guilty of breaking conflict of interest laws, and dodged accountability with a loophole in a second conflict-of-interest case.
Cockrill’s family business, Fortress Windows and Doors Ltd., secured $179,137.46 in contracts from the provincial government while Cockrill was employed as a salesperson. The Commissioner found that this broke the law.
In March of 2021, the Commissioner advised Cockrill that his employment in the family business meant that he was participating in government contracts. Cockrill had 90 days to come into compliance with the act. Rather than cutting ties, Cockrill continued to be connected to the company until December 2021 when he received a Christmas bonus of $2,115.38.
These actions mirror past violations by former Sask. Party MLA Gary Grewal, who continued his illegal motel dealings despite warnings from the Commissioner. The Sask. Party shielded Grewal from accountability after he was found guilty of illegally cashing in on $731,000 in government contracts earlier this month.
“After 17 years in power, this has become a pattern with this Sask. Party government,” said Meara Conway, NDP Ethics & Democracy Shadow Minister. “They say they’ve changed, but it’s the same old Sask. Party. Jeremy Cockrill needs to face the cameras and apologize to the people of Saskatchewan for breaking the law.”
Through a legal loophole, Cockrill escaped accountability in a separate investigation into questionable investments in two helium companies. While these companies held government contracts, Cockrill attended cabinet meetings discussing helium policies and he did not recuse himself. He got away with it because these two particular companies were not specifically named on the cabinet agenda, even though the helium sector was discussed broadly.
“You could drive a combine through the loopholes in Saskatchewan’s conflict of interest laws,” said Conway. “Mr. Cockrill’s conduct is proof that we need tougher rules and regulations. This whole thing just doesn’t pass the nod test. The people of Saskatchewan deserve better accountability from elected representatives.”
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