Cabinet minister Adam Lightstone found himself in a bit of a pickle this past month when colleagues instigated an investigation by NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 integrity commissioner over a potential conflict of interest sparked by a temporary appointment within his department.
Lightstone had approved the appointment of his spouse as acting deputy minister of Human Resources for five days, to cover off the deputy ministerSA国际影视传媒檚 scheduled holidays in what the integrity commissioner Katherine Peterson describes as a SA国际影视传媒渃hronically understaffedSA国际影视传媒� department.
The deputy minister concluded that LightstoneSA国际影视传媒檚 spouse was best suited to fill in for her due to her SA国际影视传媒渟trong skills, knowledge and experience,SA国际影视传媒� and steps were taken to avoid LightstoneSA国际影视传媒檚 spouse being in direct contact with the minister regarding work issues.
Lightstone has since stepped aside, relinquishing his portfolios SA国际影视传媒渦ntil such time as the Legislative Assembly has the opportunity to formally resolve this matter in accordance with the provision of the Integrity Act,SA国际影视传媒� the premier said.
Peterson, who oversees ethics on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, has recommended that legislators reprimand Lightstone and that the MLA publicly acknowledge his conduct.
However, having to give up his portfolios seems to be a bit of an overreaction, all circumstances considered.
Peterson stated that Lightstone initially had concerns regarding the appointment but he accepted the deputy ministerSA国际影视传媒檚 advice and gave his signed approval.
While it is true that there were some oversights made, especially in LightstoneSA国际影视传媒檚 defence that SA国际影视传媒渆veryone (senior staff) knewSA国际影视传媒� about his relation to the recommended appointee, the lack of interest from other potentially available senior staff appears to have put him in a bind.
PetersonSA国际影视传媒檚 rebuff was that SA国际影视传媒渢here was no canvas of other departments to determine whether a senior staff member could fill this role.SA国际影视传媒�
The biggest problem isnSA国际影视传媒檛 even that there was a conflict of interest, but that despite doing what Lightstone considered due diligence and approving a plan that was agreeable to all immediate parties, it was not communicated appropriately, internally or externally.
Arviat-South MLA Joe Savikataaq was among those to bring up the SA国际影视传媒渟mell testSA国际影视传媒� or the perception of the chain of events.
The integrity commissioner ultimately found that SA国际影视传媒渁lthough SA国际影视传媒� Minister Lightstone made an error in judgment made in good faith and on the basis of advice received at the time SA国际影视传媒� I wish to point out that there is no evidence of any collusion, corruption, inappropriate benefit nor nefarious actions or directions associated with these circumstances. There was no evidence of the advancement of a private interest of the minister, his spouse or other person.SA国际影视传媒�
Conflict of interest is nearly unavoidable in a such a contracted labour pool SA国际影视传媒� everyone knows everyone; families are large, sprawling and sometimes more complicated than southern-style governance allows for.
Transparency and disclosure could have stopped this issue in its tracks in December SA国际影视传媒� written proof of these conversations is what saves many of us from uncomfortable situations in the workplace.
A perception cannot be hastily formed when interested parties are informed.
