Cam Broten MLA

5 January 2011

Two weeks after being told by the Chief Electoral Officer that the Sask. Party broke election laws, Justice Minister Don Morgan still hasn't sent the file to an out-of-province prosecutor.

"Two weeks is more than enough time for the Minister to live up to his word and send this file to out-of-province prosecutors," said NDP advanced education critic Cam Broten. "Saskatchewan people need a guarantee that conflict of interest and political interference will not be factors in deciding on charges against the Sask. Party."

Broten noted that Chief Electoral Officer David Wilkie obtained independent counsel from Ontario to assist with the investigation into the Sask. Party's actions, but Wilkie then had to turn the complete file over to the Ministry of Justice.

"The sooner this file is placed in another jurisdiction, the better," said Broten, who called the situation "a textbook example of a case in which a referral is necessary."

On March 28, 2011, Morgan stated in the Legislative Assembly: "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."

Prosecutors will determine whether or not to pursue charges against the Sask. Party based on the investigation's conclusion that the Sask. Party violated the Elections Act in their reporting of campaign contributions - both individual and corporate - which earned memberships in the exclusive Enterprise Club.

The investigation found at least one of the Sask. Party's violations related to a donation 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. In December, 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. Despite the government's close ties to Kobussen, they chose not to refer that file out of the province.