Saskatchewan NDP to push for reprimand of health minister who broke conflict rules

REGINA — Saskatchewan’s Opposition NDP has demanded Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill apologize for breaching conflict-of-interest rules when a window company with family ties did business with the province three years ago.

Ethics critic Meara Conway told reporters Wednesday that New Democrats also plan to introduce a motion in the legislature in the spring that, if passed, would reprimand Cockrill.

Conway said the reprimand could come in the form of a censure to show deep disapproval of the minister’s conduct.

“It has symbolic weight,” she said.

“One of their most senior ministers, Jeremy Cockrill, minister of health, has been found to have broken conflict of interest laws.”

A report this week from conflict of interest commissioner Maurice Herauf says in 2021 Cockrill was an employee of Fortress Windows and Doors and therefore had an interest when the company received nearly $180,000 in government contracts that year.

The company is owned by his in-laws and did work for a public housing authority in North Battleford, west of Saskatoon.

The report found Cockrill remained an employee with the company and received a bonus after the commissioner told him he had an interest.

The findings come after the NDP requested the commissioner investigate Cockrill earlier this year.

“When he got this opinion that he was offside of the act, he should have cut ties with the company, without question, in 90 days. He didn’t,” Conway said.

She said at best it shows a “flippant attitude” and at worst, a sense of “entitlement.”

The commissioner recommended Cockrill receive a reprimand, but no stiffer punishment, as the minister’s interest has long ended and he did not act deliberately.

He wrote Cockrill had also sought advice from the commissioner on conflict issues, but was not told how to proceed with his employment.

Cockrill said in a statement this week he accepts the findings and that the breach was not intentional.

He also accused NDP members of trying to sully his reputation.

Conway said these are serious issues.

“This is a question of public trust in elected officials. That’s why we have conflict of interest in ethics rules,” she said.

“The commissioner is very clear. Had he come into compliance, he wouldn’t have been offside of the act.”

Herauf released a second report this week that investigated Cockrill’s investments in Royal Helium and Helium Evolution, finding the minister did not breach rules in those cases.

The minister bought shares in the companies while he was a cabinet minister and New Democrats questioned whether he had any insider information.

The report said Cockrill has not participated in negotiations involving the companies. He also recused himself from cabinet when the companies were discussed, which is mandated in the legislation.

However, the report said Cockrill did not recuse himself when cabinet was talking about the helium industry broadly. The commissioner found this was acceptable as such discussions were of “general public application.”

Conway said while she accepts the findings, she thinks there should be tougher rules to ensure cabinet ministers recuse themselves even during those broader conversations where they may have an interest.

“This can only be described as a legal loophole, frankly — one big enough to drive a combine through,” she said.

Conway said the Opposition plans to introduce a private member’s bill this spring to strengthen conflict laws, including tougher penalties.

“Under the current system, civil servants are subject to higher standards than cabinet ministers. That’s not OK and speaks to the need for reform,” she said.

Premier Scott Moe has also said the province is open to reviewing the legislation, which hasn’t been changed since 1993.

It’s the second time a Saskatchewan Party member has been found in breach of conflict of interest legislation this year.

In October, former Saskatchewan Party backbencher Gary Grewal was found to have broken the rules when his motels did business with the government.

Grewal’s businesses had received $732,000 since 2018 for accommodating social services clients. He did not seek re-election.

The NDP raised the issue last year when it found one of his motels raised rates for a client when the Ministry of Social Services started paying her bill.

“It’s a pattern with the Sask. Party government,” Conway said.

“After 17 years in power, they say they’ve changed, but we say it’s the same old Sask. Party.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 18, 2024.

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press