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This article was published 17/05/2022 (376 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Manitoba judge is set to consider whether allegations Premier Heather Stefanson violated conflict-of-interest laws merit further judicial review.

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said he will appear in court Wednesday morning to present his case the premier broke the law when she failed to disclose more than $30 million in real estate sales.

In January, the Free Press reported the premier breached the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Conflict of Interest Act by not declaring the disposal of three properties sold for $31 million in 2016 and 2019.

At the time, Stefanson said it was an oversight she did not disclose the disposal of three properties that had been listed among her assets for several years.

Under current legislation, the province’s conflict of interest commissioner doesn’t have the power to investigate alleged breaches of the act.

If a citizen believes a member has a conflict of interest, they have to file an affidavit with the Court of Queen’s Bench and pay $300 to have a judge to authorize a hearing before another judge.

In late April, Lamont filed a formal complaint and paid the fee. He has also asked the judge to review whether Stefanson had a conflict of interest when she voted for a bill to amend residential tenancy laws when she was families minister.

If a hearing is granted and the judge determines conflict-of-interest rules were broken, the member could be suspended for up to 90 days, pay a fine of up to $5,000, be removed from office and have to pay restitution to the government or Crown agency for any financial gain that resulted from the violation.

Lamont said he will be self-represented in the case.

“It just illustrates what a ridiculous system we have that I’m expected as a voter to work my way through the public courts system and bring essentially a private prosecution against the premier,” Lamont said. “That’s why this kind of case has never been brought before.”

Province pushes for day school deadline extension

A resolution by the Manitoba Legislative Assembly urging the federal government to give Indian day school survivors and their families more time to file compensation claims passed unanimously Tuesday.

The resolution, brought forward by Tory MLA Andrew Micklefield, said delays and difficulty accessing legal advice caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have left day school survivors concerned about their ability to adequately prepare documents.

In 2009, a class-action lawsuit was launched on behalf of federal Indian day school survivors. A settlement agreement was reached in August 2019. Survivors have until July 13 to file a claim to the federal government.

“Because of the pandemic with many First Nations going into multiple lockdowns, many survivors of the horrific Indian day schools have yet to claim their share of the settlement,” the MLA for Rossmere said in a statement.

“Although no settlement could ever adequately address the pain, trauma, and suffering… we need to ensure that these survivors get the compensation they are entitled to without limitation or barriers.”

Approximately 200,000 children attended day schools run by the federal government; in Manitoba, 115 day schools were covered by the settlement agreement.