Statement: Premier Robert Ghiz
The decision by the Conflict of Interest Commissioner vindicates the judgement of the Department of Transportation and Public Works and its Minister, says Premier Robert Ghiz.
The Conflict Commissioner was required to rule on allegations made by an Opposition Member of the Legislative Assembly in 2007 against Minister of Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron MacKinley. The contents of the ruling were publicly disclosed Wednesday afternoon.
In his decision, the Commissioner said the “evidence advanced (in the allegation) was largely circumstantial and based on an incorrect premise.”
In his January 9, 2007 decision, Commissioner Neil Robinson concluded the following:
∙ “The Minister’s decision was in response to the Town of Cornwall’s request that the intersection giving access to the Cornwall Business Park be signalized.
∙ “The Town of Cornwall had been seeking a signalized intersection for a number of years.
∙ “The primary concerns of the Town were safety and the successful development of the Cornwall Business Park.
∙ “The concerns of the Town were of general application to the motoring public and the citizens of Cornwall.
∙ “The Minister’s decision was motivated by the same concerns.”
“It has always been clear that the Minister was acting in the public interest,” Premier Robert Ghiz said. “It is unfortunate that allegations made on an ‘incorrect premise’ were allowed to cloud the reputation of an individual who has devoted much of his life to public service.
“As the Minister maintained all along: the decisions taken were based on the safety of Islanders, and the longstanding request of the Town of Cornwall.”