'Thanks for the heads up': N.W.T. integrity commissioner flags media request to minister
CBC
The N.W.T. integrity commissioner notified the territorial health minister that a journalist was asking questions about her family business.
The integrity commissioner is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly required to remain impartial. The role includes providing advice to members and ministers about avoiding conflicts between their public duties and their private interests.
On Dec. 14, CBC News sent an email to David Phillip Jones, the N.W.T.'s integrity commissioner and an Edmonton based lawyer. According to an annual report, Jones has been the N.W.T.'s integrity commissioner since Dec. 1, 2013.
The email requested details on funding provided by the territorial government through the social services department and health authority to clients of the McKenna Funeral Home, which Health Minister Julie Green refers to as "the family business" in her bio.
Jones responded over email, he did not provide the requested information but said as the McKenna Funeral Home is one of the few funeral service providers in the territory, he had determined there was no conflict.
About an hour after the request was sent, CBC News received another email, this time from Green but directed to Jones.
"Hi David, Thanks for the heads up. Best wishes for the holidays," Green wrote.
When Jones was asked if he had forwarded the media request to Green, he said "sure."
It's unclear if Green accidentally hit reply all, or intentionally wanted CBC News to be aware that she was in receipt of the media request which was only sent to Jones.
Trista Haugland, the N.W.T. cabinet press secretary, said in an email Green wouldn't be available for an interview by publication deadline.
CBC News reached Jones by phone. Jones objected to the interview being on the record, claiming he is unable to be quoted for his role. But this was not agreed upon.
He said he forwarded the media request because it "involves the minister" and "a fundamental rule is everyone knows everything."
When asked if he has forwarded other media requests to the members in question, he said "I expect that I have."
Jones said he would "probably" do the same if a member of the public sent a request, but has never come across that.
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