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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
NDP releases lists of Crown freebies
Top bureaucrat admits taking two tickets to Jets games
Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press archives
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye.
That's what the Selinger government is singing in the hopes the two-week-old Jets ticket affair is fading in the rear-view mirror.
It comes as the NDP released full lists of how tickets obtained by four Crown corporations -- season tickets are part of their sponsorship and advertising deals they have with the Jets and the MTS Centre -- were disbursed during the Jets inaugural season in the NHL.
It also comes as Manitoba's top bureaucrat admitted he accepted two tickets despite conflict of interest rules that say those in the civil service must not accept gifts or other benefits that are connected directly or indirectly with the performance of their public service duties.
Paul Vogt, clerk of the executive council and cabinet secretary for the Province of Manitoba, said he attended two games on free tickets; one from David Leis, vice-president of Red River College, and the second from Jim Carr, president and CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba.
Vogt said Thursday the existing conflict guideline stated civil servants could give or receive hospitality if they were doing business together.
"In the case of RRC, it was mostly about capital (Patterson Building and Notre Dame campus), which was Leis' area," Vogt said in an email. "With the Business Council, I don't have a clear memory, but I have an ongoing conversation with Jim Carr that ranges over tax policy, trade, and immigration."
The Selinger government's new policy, released last week, amends conflict rules to prohibit all government officials, including MLAs, from receiving tickets to all pro sports events.
"I had a hand in drafting the new policy under direction from cabinet," Vogt said. "I personally believe it's the right way to go. So I have repaid for the RRC and Business Council tickets."
The province also released a new policy regarding the future distribution of tickets by Crown corporations.
One, the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission, handed out many tickets to executives and board members instead of using them in customer promotions.
The new policy states Crown corporations are encouraged to distribute tickets to professional sports events to community groups, charitable organizations or not-for-profit organizations. Tickets cannot be distributed to MLAs, government officials or board members.
Game tickets can, however, be distributed to Crown executives if they're acting in an official capacity, through an employee-recognition program, or for a legitimate business reason that has been approved by the board of the respective Crown.
Premier Greg Selinger said the next step is looking at whether the province's Conflict of Interest Act has to be updated.
Unlike other provinces and the federal government, it does not prohibit politicians from accepting gifts as long as those valued at more than $250 are publicly disclosed.
"This is the time to review the conflict-of-interest legislation," he said. "It's another opportunity to improve transparency and accountability in Manitoba."
Four Crown corporations disclosed Thursday how their allotment of season tickets was disbursed:
The documents released by Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Public Insurance, the Manitoba Liquor Commission and Manitoba Lotteries Corp. are posted on the Winnipeg Free Press website. The search words are 'ticket distribution.'
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 18, 2012 A6
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