“I accept his finding in the Helium matter. I also accept his finding in the Fortress matter and agree that any breach of the Act on my part was neither intentional nor deliberate.”
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Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill’s connection to a family-owned window company breached conflict of interest laws, the commissioner ruled in a report published Monday.
The Battlefords MLA was elected in 2020. In 2021, Fortress Windows and Doors received $179,137 in contracts from the Battleford Housing Authority (BHA). A public disclosure form filed that year listed Cockrill as an adviser for the company and, in 2022, he was listed as holding a part-time sales position.
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In the report, Conflict of Interest Commissioner Maurice Herauf says Cockrill “acted appropriately” by seeking advice from his office on disclosure, but that no specific advice was “sought or provided” to him regarding his continued employment.
“I have no reason to believe these contracts were not awarded through the usual competitive process,” added Herauf, whose report also notes the window company did business with the BHA prior to Cockrill’s election.
Herauf states the “sole issue here is the failure of Mr. Cockrill to step away from the company or to obtain an exemption.” The commissioner ruled that Cockrill breached Section 15 of the province’s Members’ Conflict of Interest Act, which prohibits participation in government contracts.
“I do not consider his breach of the Act to have been intentional or deliberate,” said the report.
The commissioner has recommended Cockrill receive a reprimand, arguing that a fine, suspension or “declaration of vacancy” would be “wholly disproportionate.”
“His interest in Fortress was remote, albeit captured by the Act,” Herauf wrote. “His limited participation is confirmed by the small amounts of his employment income and bonus in 2021.”
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Cockrill’s connection to Fortress Windows and Doors came into question when the Saskatchewan NDP requested an investigation earlier this year.
Cockrill was also the subject of an investigation into his investment in two helium companies. In a second report released Monday, Herauf ruled that Cockrill is not in contravention of sections 3 or 15 of the act.
“I accept his finding in the Helium matter. I also accept his finding in the Fortress matter and agree that any breach of the Act on my part was neither intentional nor deliberate,” Cockrill said in an emailed statement provided Tuesday afternoon.
But the Health Minister said he believed “following the Commissioner’s opinion meant” he was “fully compliant” with the act.
Both investigations were prompted by NDP shadow minister for ethics and democracy Meara Conway earlier this year. In a letter to Herauf, Conway noted how Cockrill’s 2022 disclosure form listed investments in Helium Evolution and Royal Helium while a member of cabinet.
Conway argued Cockrill’s investments as a cabinet minister “raise questions given government initiatives to develop Saskatchewan’s helium industry.”
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Monday’s report states that Cockrill still owns 75,000 shares in Helium Evolution, worth approximately $9,000.
In the report, Herauf noted that Cockrill did not recuse himself from certain cabinet discussions because neither Helium Evolution or Royal Helium were specifically mentioned. But he noted both companies received permits from the government and that while serving as a minister, Cockrill was involved in the Helium Action Plan (HAP) twice and did not recuse himself from those discussions. Herauf found Cockrill did recuse himself from other discussions when the companies were listed on the agenda.
Cockrill and former Saskatchewan Party MLA Gary Grewal have now both been found to have breached the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act.
It’s part of why NDP shadow minister for ethics and democracy Meara Conway is pushing for changes to the act and more thorough member disclosure statements.
On Wednesday, Conway said while the NDP accepts the report, it feels there are loopholes that need to be closed, specifically as it related to buying stocks while a member of cabinet.
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She said Cockrill’s response shows “a pattern from a government that time and time again does not appear to take their ethical duties very seriously.”
Conway argued Cockrill’s investments as a cabinet minister “raise questions given government initiatives to develop Saskatchewan’s helium industry, as well as ongoing government contracts with these companies.”
“In our view, this can only be described as a legal loophole. Frankly, one big enough to drive a combine through,” said Conway
Cockrill said he was glad to see a conclusion to the investigations.
“This matter has been difficult for my family,” he said in his statement, which highlighted a section of the report where Herauf says it may have been “prudent” for him to advise Cockrill “more squarely.”
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