Photo by Whitehorse Star
Pauline Frost
Premier urged to seek advice of Conflicts Commissioner
The legislature has passed a motion from the Yukon Party official Opposition directing Premier Sandy Silver to seek the advice of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner in relation dealings involving ex-cabinet minister Pauline Frost’s work on a project in Old Crow.
The legislature has passed a motion from the Yukon Party official Opposition directing Premier Sandy Silver to seek the advice of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner in relation dealings involving ex-cabinet minister Pauline Frost’s work on a project in Old Crow.
The motion was brought forward late last week by Pelly-Nisutlin MLA Stacey Hassard.
It read:
“THAT this House urges the premier of Yukon to seek the advice of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner regarding whether or not the former minister of Health and Social Services, Pauline Frost, contravened the Conflict of Interest (Members and Ministers) Act in regard to the Old Crow health and wellness centre.”
One day prior to the snap April 2021 election, Frost, as a cabinet minister, signed off on the contract for the construction of the Old Crow health and wellness centre, the Yukon Party noted.
Months later, after her election defeat, the former minister accepted a job with the winning bidder – and met with government officials about the project, the YP pointed out.
Section 10(4) of the Conflict of Interest Act states: a former minister shall not make representations to the Government of Yukon in relation to a transaction or negotiation to which the government is a party and in which the former minister was previously involved as a minister if the representations could result in the conferring of a benefit not of general application.
The Yukon Party wrote to the Conflicts Commissioner on the matter. The commissioner responded that the premier is the only member of the assembly who can seek the advice of the conflicts commissioner in matters involving former ministers.
All Yukon Party MLAs voted in favour of the motion.
All Liberal MLAs voted against having Silver consult the commissioner.
“This motion encompasses any new premier, so any candidate seeking the Liberal leadership should indicate if they would respect the will of the Yukon Legislative Assembly and seek the advice of the conflicts commissioner on this matter,” the Yukon Party said.
As he did earlier this year, Silver dismissed any substance to the Yukon Party’s concerns and indicated he does not plan to consult the Conflicts Commissioner on the matter.
Ranj Pillai, the only declared candidate for the leadership, has not publicly commented on the subject since announcing his candidacy last Friday.
On Nov. 21, Frost, who has not publicly commented on the Yukon Party’s concerns, was elected chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation.
She succeeded Dana Tizya-Tramm, who did not seek a second term but who was recently elected to the First Nation School Board.
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Comments (13)
Up 17 Down 1
YukonMax on Dec 5, 2022 at 6:11 am
Not the cons, not the libs, it's the "would be politicians" of this Territory that have been crafting this dysfunctional political landscape for decades and decades. It is so disjointed, "we" the people have very little hope anything would ever change.
Up 7 Down 0
Alex on Dec 4, 2022 at 3:02 am
Oh pauline... she's just trying to impress them without engaging with them directly.
Up 25 Down 2
Machinations Mafia on Dec 3, 2022 at 9:39 am
The Yukon is a rigged game, now. If you’re not on a first name basis with someone in power, you’ve got no chance. The results are wasteful overspending on projects that take four times as long and underperform on their stated goals with no real accountability. The age of decadence in its organized crime style leadership stage. Backed up by robber barons and shameless profiteers. Enabled by a gutless and unchallenging bobble head media. Monopoly of finance and culture over a nearly illiterate underclass so poorly served by the elites they go back for ever more abuse in virtue camouflage. We have collectively lulled themselves into a clownish level of complacency. Not to worry, we can keep up the modern slavery of foreign temporary workers to fill the gap. We’re the good guys, we promise.
Up 18 Down 10
Hahaha on Dec 2, 2022 at 5:36 pm
Ummm the MLA of Teslin has the contract for snow plowing and it was signed while his wife was the CAO. Maybe Stacey shouldn't throw stones since he lives in a glass house.
Up 26 Down 5
John on Dec 2, 2022 at 10:58 am
Hear that sound son? - Yes. See that puff of smoke about 100m to the right at about 3 o'clock? - Yes. Well that is firearm firing a round. - But how do you know it is a firearm, Dad? As you grow older you will learn to look for clues and be observant to what is going on around you. You will also be able to draw accurate conclusions by what you see, hear, smell and touch. I have been witness to that sound we heard and the puff of smoke so was able to draw upon my experience and knowledge to come to that conclusion son.
This little play illustrates how we come to the conclusion, that like the father and son interchange, it is clearly evident but what we see & hear and know of the facts that Frost was in breach of 'Section 10(4) of the Conflict of Interest Act'. It is not rocket science, it is plain for all to see. What is also obvious is the Silver is obfuscating - this is who he is - it is an inherent Liberal trait.
Up 32 Down 2
Groucho d'North on Dec 2, 2022 at 9:13 am
Methinks thou dost protest too much Mr. Silver. Clear the air
Up 29 Down 2
iBrian on Dec 2, 2022 at 4:09 am
She got in as Chief? Really??? This is bigger news then the article. Have they re-counted?
Up 30 Down 5
bonanzajoe on Dec 1, 2022 at 8:32 pm
Why bother, its all part of the reconciliation program.
Up 32 Down 1
Joe on Dec 1, 2022 at 6:40 pm
Just ask ranj…oh wait its not NVD
Up 33 Down 2
Jim on Dec 1, 2022 at 6:07 pm
So motion(s) are voted on and passed in the legislature and the Liberals just refuse to do it. I’m I just missing something where a vote in a democratic house becomes optional to follow through? Pompous Liberals assume that they have no one to answer to I guess.
Up 13 Down 17
Frogs in hot water on Dec 1, 2022 at 6:03 pm
Dear People - Ethics and accountability are Western European concepts of control, which, when applied to non-Western populations is raycism.
Because Western Imperialism has been used to subjugate, control, and decimate First Peoples all over the globe they are rejected in this instance because we must reconcile the government’s past wrongs. We realize that, but for, government procedures, regulations and laws, past and present White people would not be, especially white males, raycist.
The government giveth, and the government taketh - You, the electorate, the white ones anyway are paying the toll for the GOVERNMENT who attempted to kill the Indian in the child through the Indian Act.
It was the elites (classism) that committed to genocidal intent - Not you, but through an abuse of power the government is currently legislating more raycism to fix the raycism that they committed!
The government interested in maintaining its “good image”, its “righteous intent” has crafted a narrative of untruths and half truths to blame you - The citizen. They then use this narrative to cover for the role of the elites in the commission of genocide and tax you into oblivion to make reparations while blaming you… You deserve to own nothing, to be taxed, to bankrupted into oblivion so Trudeau and the New World Order can expropriate your wealth to sell it off cheaply.
This is not about equity! It is about destruction. You need to get rid of these politicos before it’s too late because you are going to lose everything if you don’t - FFS! Are stoopid!?!?
Up 32 Down 6
Juniper Jackson on Dec 1, 2022 at 4:07 pm
Of course there is something fishy going on.. there always is with a Liberal.
Up 76 Down 4
maple_mex on Dec 1, 2022 at 3:07 pm
Why would they be scared to consult the commissioner? Oh unless they are trying to hide somthing. This seems like a reasonable ask from the opposition to me.