Cam Broten MLA

27 December 2011

Decisions on prosecuting the Sask. Party for breaking election laws should be made out-of-province, free from political interference, said NDP advanced education critic Cam Broten.

A public prosecutor will make a determination on whether or not to pursue charges against the Sask. Party based on the provincial chief electoral officer’s finding that the Sask. Party violated the Elections Act.

"The chief electoral officer's investigation concluded that the Sask. Party broke the law. Now it's up to prosecutors to decide if there will be charges," Broten said. "That decision needs to be entirely free of interference so it is imperative that the Sask. Party government send this file to out-of-province prosecutors."

The initial investigation was launched when the NDP raised concerns regarding the Sask. Party's actions surrounding its elite Enterprise Club. Donations that had earned memberships in the Enterprise Club – both individual and corporate – appeared not to be properly accounted for.

The NDP specifically cited a contribution from Glen Kobussen, a prominent player in the Sask. Party government's failed attempt to merge St. Peter's College and Carlton Trail Regional College

Broten pointed to a statement made by Justice Minister Don Morgan in the Legislative Assembly on March 28, in which Morgan said: “If there is any issue that there is any potential misconduct by any member of this government or anybody that's closely tied to this government, this will absolutely be referred out of the province.”

"Earlier this month, Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris announced that there was not enough evidence to charge Kobussen with regard to inappropriate actions in the failed college merger," Broten said.

"Despite the government's close ties to Kobussen, they chose not to keep their promise to refer that file out of the province. Now that the Sask. Party itself is subject to charges, will they do the right thing and ensure the decision is made without political interference?"