Former N.B. energy minister joins nuclear industry after resigning in June
Mike Holland will be joining AtkinsRéalis, formerly SNC-Lavalin
A former New Brunswick cabinet minister who resigned in June is joining AtkinsRéalis, a Montreal-based company previously known as SNC-Lavalin Group.
Mike Holland, who was natural resources and energy development minister and MLA for the riding of Albert, announced at the end of June that he was quitting to pursue a job in the private sector.
Holland will be joining the AtkinsRéalis team as the director of business development for North America.
The company told Radio-Canada the reason it recruited the former minister was to help increase sales of its nuclear reactor models and invest in the development of small modular reactors.
In a statement, the company said it's "working to accelerate" sales of its Candu reactors in Canada and internationally.
AtkinsRéalis,
formerly SNC-Lavalin, is headquartered in Montreal. New Brunswick's
former minister of natural resources and energy development accepted a
job offer with the company. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
Candu technology, according to the AtkinsRéalis website, is a Canadian pressurized heavy-water reactor design. The reactors have the ability to co-produce medical isotopes for diagnostic imaging, cancer treatment and to sterilize medical supplies, the website says.
One of these reactors is at the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station, while the other 18 in Canada are in Ontario.
Holland referred an interview request from Radio-Canada to the AtkinsRéalis communications department.
The company told Radio-Canada that Holland would not lobby the New Brunswick government in his new role. It said that he has been given direction in his new role by the New Brunswick integrity commissioner.
When Holland announced his resignation from the New Brunswick government, he said the company he accepted an offer from is not a company he dealt with in his role as a minister, nor as an MLA.
The Candu reactor at Point Lepreau is one of 19 operating in Canada. The other 18 are located in Ontario. (Marc Godbout/Radio-Canada)
However, AtkinsRéalis, then known as SNC-Lavalin, announced a partnership with Moltex Energy Canada in 2022 and Holland was quoted in the news release at the time.
"This agreement contributes not only to the growth of long-term, high-quality jobs in New Brunswick's energy sector, it also recognizes the leadership role of both Moltex and the province in advancing the next generation of nuclear technology," he said in the 2022 release.
With files from Alix Villeneuve/Radio-Canada
29 Comments
David Amos
Surprise Surprise Surprise
David Amos
"The company told Radio-Canada that Holland would not
lobby the New Brunswick government in his new role. It said that he has
been given direction in his new role by the New Brunswick integrity
commissioner. "
Too Too Funny
Wilbur Ross
He'll make a excellent lobbyist I bet. SNC is a perfect fit too.
David Amos
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Of that I have no doubt
Matt Steele
Congrats on the new job and career Mr. Holland .
It is good to see a former politician actually getting a job in the
private sector rather than waiting around until he was appointed to a
government position like Vic Boudreau did with his recent Senate
appointment .
Reply to Matt Steele
Yes , finally an Atcon 6er got his due.
David Amos
Reply to Matt Steele Still spinning to right I see
David Amos
Reply to Allan Marven James Risdon
More power to him for landing a good job in the private sector. I wish him well.
Allan Marven
Reply to James Risdon
Yes, but I thought it would have something to do with turkeys, not nuclear reactors.
David Amos
Reply to Allan Marven Me too
David Amos
Reply to James RisdonI don't
JOhn D Bond
Interesting SNC typically makes good decisions for its bottom line. Hiring a failed politician is a questionable move.
David Amos
Reply to JOhn D Bond Surely you jest
Wilbur Ross
His reward.
David Amos
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Par for the course
Noel Fowles
Sure, he was minister, but what are his credentials? A
degree in nuclear? Leader of the pack in the debacle that is Point
Lepreau
Just another - - -, jumping ship, into the arms of SNC
MR Cain
Reply to Noel Fowles
He does have a gift to gab; pretty much all you need. Front man for the technical experts.
David Amos
Reply to Noel Fowles
Yup
kelly sherrard
As far as I can see, the only think Mike
Holland will have to offer revamped SNC Lavalin company is government
contacts he has made during the last few years he's been elected. I
don't see how running a survivalist business in Riverview can benefit
this company?
MR Cain
Reply to kelly sherrard With 14 thousand employees, you have no need to be anything special.
Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to kelly sherrard
If one has leadership savvy they can pretty
much bend to encompass many aspects of business. I watch how these
people handle themselves in their portfolios. Many don't have it, but
Mike truly does in spades.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph SkavinskyI disagree bigtime
David Amos
Reply to kelly sherrard
Methinks many would agree that Mikey's new job is rather obvious N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky "When Holland announced his resignation from
the New Brunswick government, he said the company he accepted an offer
from is not a company he dealt with in his role as a minister, nor as an
MLA."
kelly sherrard
This is a surprise. All the Conservative MLAs
are jumping ship which signals the downfall of the Conservative party
going into the next election. What choice do we have for a party to run
this province? Both Conservatives and Liberals are incompetent and
have failed to make any inroads in the major issues facing this province
in the last 20+ years. The province keeps sinking deeper and deeper
into failure.
David Amos
Reply to kelly sherrard
You don't you try running for public office as an Independent?
Allan Marven
It was easy to tell. Amazing how those companies do it. Atcon is now Greenfield.
David Amos
Reply to Allan Marven Its not amazing at all
N.B. cabinet minister quits legislature to pursue private sector job
Natural Resources Minister Mike Holland first announced in February he would not re-offer for fall election
A New Brunswick cabinet minister who already announced he wouldn't be running again in this fall's provincial election is resigning from his role as an MLA as of Thursday.
Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland, MLA for the riding of Albert, announced he was quitting his post effective immediately to pursue a job in the private sector.
"I put everything I have into the work I've done for the last six years. It's been very fulfilling."
Holland was elected as part of Premier Blaine Higgs's Progressive Conservative government in 2018 and was re-elected in 2020.
Holland was first elected in 2018 as part of Premier Blaine Higgs's Progressive Conservative government. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
He spent almost his entire six years as minister of natural resources and energy development. He was also the minister of Indigenous affairs for the past few months following Arlene Dunn's resignation as Saint John Harbour MLA in February.
Holland announced in February he would not re-offer in this fall's election, along with several other cabinet ministers and backbenchers.
Holland said since his earlier announcement, he'd been considering opportunities in the private sector and felt now was the best time to make the transition from government.
Holland declined to name the company he's accepted an offer from, but said it's not a New Brunswick-based firm and is not a company he dealt with in his role as a minister, nor as an MLA.
"It's a really good opportunity. It's going to be another series of challenges for me and, and I'm looking forward to it," he said, adding that he'll either be staying in New Brunswick or moving to Nova Scotia.
Holland is one of 12 Progressive Conservative MLAs elected in 2020 who have either quit or announced they won't run again in this fall's election.
Several of those MLAs have publicly attributed their decision to Higgs's leadership style, but Holland said he's leaving on good terms with the premier.
"That body of work, where significant things were accomplished, I was able to do it because I had the support of the premier, and I will always be thankful for that. So we parted company on the best of terms."
Positive parting words from premier
In a news release Thursday, Higgs thanked Holland for his service in the legislature and said he worked hard leading several departments, while being a strong voice for his constituents.
"He has been an asset to our team, and I have full confidence that he will be a valued member of any organization that he works with in the future, and I wish him all the best," Higgs said.
The news release says Justice Minister and Attorney General Ted Flemming will take on the natural resources and energy development portfolio.
Meanwhile, Réjean Savoie, minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, will take on the responsibility for the Department of Indigenous Affairs, says the release.
Holland's departure now leaves four ridings vacant, including Saint John Harbour, Hampton and Portland – Simonds.
A byelection won't be required, as the seats were vacated within 12 months of the next election, scheduled to be held no later than Oct. 21.
37 Comments
David Amos
Surprise Surprise Surprise
Jim Lake
Probably stayed on just long enough to collect a
gold-plated pension. New Brunswick constituents pay the price for 6
years of the Higgs government again … please stop the pain and elect a
new, refreshing premier and set of MLAs that actually want to
collaborate, be open, accountable and transparent, and want to actually
work with and work for New Brunswickers.
Pat Holland
Reply to Jim Lake
You would need two full terms to qualify for a full pension and 6 years isn’t 2 full terms
Jim Lake
Reply to Pat Holland
Yeah, guess you’re right … I was thinking of
the Feds … but regardless, he’s still jumping ship before he’s finished
serving the term his constituents elected him to serve them for … not
the first Higgs MLA to do so, and that is just wrong. If anyone who
runs can’t commit to serving their full term (personal emergencies
aside) they shouldn’t run.
Mike Holland
Reply to Jim Lake
Not the case at all. In fact, the MLA pensions
have completely changed. My pension is the same as someone who worked in
the Civil service for 6 years. No more
David Amos
Reply to Mike Holland
Of that I have no doubt be ye Mikey or not
Geordan Mann
Reply to Jim Lake
Who are you talking about? All I see are the
liberals and conservatives, neither of which has ever exhibited the
attributes you have listed. Since the liberals are "new", how would you
know this?
Jake Quinlan
Reply to Mike Holland
Hmmm who was your grade 7 home room teacher Mike? :-)
Matt Steele
Mike Holland did a great job as Minister of
Natural Resources as he is an active outdoorsman himself , understood
his files , and made a lot of positive changes within the Department .
No doubt his new job will take him closer to Nova Scotia as long
distance relationships are difficult . Best of luck in your future
endeavors Mr. Holland , and thank you for your service . It is
appreciated .
Reply to Matt Steele
Thanks Matt
David Amos
Reply to Matt Steele Spin much?
Reply to Matt Steele
where's the ha ha button?
Alison Jackson
They will never say its about their bosses
performance when they re-enter private work, cause chances are the job
is probably with Irving.
MR Cain
Reply to Alison Jackson
It not only lacks class, but you never know when that bridge you burned may be one you have to cross.
Mike Holland
Reply to MR Cain
No bridges burnt here MR Cain
David Amos
Reply to Mike Holland Too Too Funny
Clive Gibbons
Reply to MR Cain
"Take care! The toes you step on today might be connected to the butt you need to kiss tomorrow "
-anonymous
As much as I'd like to take the fun road and go out with a sick burn, I usually stick to the high road and ride off quietly into the sunset. It's worked so far.
MR Cain
Reply to Mike Holland I remember a couple sessions with Terry Saguay,
how you forcefully refused to accept Austin's allegation that Irving
gets subsidies, and on the subject of lobbyists, when Jim wnted
something done, your door was always open. I don't think your honesty is
well suited for politics.
Al Clark
Careful Mikey, in the private sector there's some expectation of performance.
Pat Holland
Reply to Al Clark
He should do well there then if the last 6 years is any indication of the future
MR Cain
Reply to Al Clark The expectation is to make money, regardless of performance. Meet the minimum requirement, no more, no less.
David Amos
Reply to Al Clark
Trust that Mikey doesn't care what you think
David Amos
Reply to Al Clark
Flag much?
Al Clark
Reply to David Amos
Surprise naysay pause circus sea nile gobbledygook 30HP 800# HD (1200# w/rider)
Al Clark
Reply to David Amos
Make it to higgy's prayer meeting last night at Qplex?
John Gray
Reply to Pat Holland
Some new Brunswickers would disagree. I'm sure
Mike's a nice enough guy and I wish him well. However new Brunswicks
government is a mess and we need a new Premier. Higgs if he wanted to
save the PC party he should of stepped down. The housing file alone was
just so wrongfully handled that new Brunswickers are paying the price.
Plus investing their time into culture wars when they should be
discussing how to fix er wait times. It would be nice to not wait 8
hours a visit on a weeknight
Hon. Mike Holland
- Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development
- Minister of Indigenous Affairs
In his first venture into provincial politics, the Honourable Mike Holland was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in September 2018 for the riding of Albert and was re-elected in 2020 for a second term.
He was reappointed as the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development following the 2020 election.
Born in Chatham (now Miramichi), New Brunswick in 1970, Mr. Holland is the son of Phil and Brenda Holland.
Farm raised in rural New Brunswick, Mr. Holland has been an avid outdoorsperson his entire life. He is co-founder of the Canadian Wild Turkey Federation, a non-profit organization that is quickly becoming the new face of conservation in Canada.
Mr. Holland has been a local entrepreneur who sold outdoor gear which he invented. As the founder of Resourceful Redneck Inc., he successfully secured a funding partnership on the CBC TV show Dragon’s Den.
Over the years, Mr. Holland has been active with many outdoors and conservation groups, serving in various capacities from volunteer to board member.
Mr. Holland began gaining political experience in 2010, working as an executive assistant with cabinet ministers in five different provincial government departments
In his spare time, Mr. Holland enjoys exploring the outdoors with his three adult children and his partner Alison.
Constituency Office
| Mainline Phone | (506) 856-4961 |
| Fax Phone | (506) 856-2676 |
| General Email | Mike.Holland@gnb.ca |
| Address |
1037 Route 114 Lower Coverdale E1J 1A1 |
Challenger wins PC nomination in 'rare' upset over incumbent MLA
Mike Holland won a 'decisive' victory over Brian Keirstead to be candidate in N.B. riding of Albert
Mike Holland achieved a rare feat Saturday by capturing the Progressive Conservative nomination for the riding of Albert and ousting incumbent PC MLA Brian Keirstead.
Holland, a 47-year-old from Riverview, N.B., known for his entrepreneurial pursuits with outdoor gear, said he didn't realize how uncommon it is to upset a sitting MLA seeking re-election until after the outcome was announced at the convention in Hillsborough.
He said he'd have to check Wikipedia, but the online encyclopedia doesn't hold the answers. Records for riding by riding party nomination contests are scattershot at best. One known instance occurred 40 years ago.
"Cases of these are so rare for a sitting MLA, an incumbent, to be upset in a nomination contest," said J.P. Lewis, an associate professor of political science at the University of New Brunswick Saint John.
"The drama of political parties can always be a bit of a mystery because they set their own rules and a lot of the ongoings are maybe happening between the small network of people running the political party."
Lewis said there could be many factors at play and he could only speculate as to why a respected MLA like Keirstead was defeated in a riding that's almost a lock for the PCs.
PC MLA Brian Keirstead said the nomination process was above board. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Keirstead, who was elected to his first term in 2014, said it came down a collection of individual decisions that weren't in his favour, instead of some orchestrated plot behind the scenes.
"As much as we like to we know what's going on, we've seen some extreme upsets politically on all levels of governments," he said. "It's part of the political game; it's part of the political process."
Compelled to run
After deciding to seek the nomination last fall, Holland had ample time to court Albert PC party members and raise his profile, which already comes with a tinge of celebrity. He appeared on the television show Dragon's Den to pitch his company, The Resourceful Redneck.
Holland is also known in PC circles, having worked and volunteered with the party for many years. He even served as executive assistant to PC ministers.
His decision to run had nothing to do with anything Keirstead did or didn't do as MLA, Holland said, but rather that he felt compelled to run.
"An intersection of opportunity and preparedness had come up where I felt like it was time for me to exercise that experience and, of course, incredible desire to be involved in bringing a PC government to power here in New Brunswick," Holland said.
'Will of the people'
Both the PC party president, Rick Lafrance, and the riding association president, Karen Jackman, said nomination contests are a "democratic process" and open to challenges from party members.
"What happened there was the democratic process and the will of the people," said Lafrance, while thanking Keirstead for his work for the party.
He said there have been no other incumbents challenged and, as of Tuesday, 26 PC candidates have been acclaimed.
Rick Lafrance, president of the PC party, said Saturday's upset was 'the will of the people.' (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Jackman said the exact results of the secret ballot vote were not released, but it was a "decisive" victory for Holland.
"I think Mike Holland has a very charismatic personality," she said. "I think he worked hard in the county. He knows a lot of people and has a lot connections, and people responded very, very well to him."
It happened before
In 1978, a sitting MLA was defeated for the party nomination when John Munn beat Sterling Hambrook to be the PC candidate for Southwest Miramichi. Munn then lost to Liberal Morris Green in the provincial election.
Keirstead said at this time he's not sure what's next for him, but he will remain a PC party member and support their bid to return to power. He also remains the Albert riding MLA until the writ drops.
"Whether it's politics or business or anything else, often times life isn't without some kind of setback," he said. "You take it in stride and you look forward and you look positive on things."
---------- Original message ---------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Aug 28, 2018 at 11:49 PM
Subject: Yo Dominic Cardy you must know where the old Chief of Staff Greg Lutes ran off to N'esy Pas?
To: oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, kelly <kelly@lamrockslaw.com>, Dominic.Cardy <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>, serge.rousselle <serge.rousselle@gnb.ca>, Bill.Fraser <Bill.Fraser@gnb.ca>, andre <andre@jafaust.com>, David.Coon <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, krisaustin <krisaustin@peoplesalliance.ca>, dan. bussieres <dan.bussieres@gnb.ca>, Gilles.Blinn <Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Gilles.Cote <Gilles.Cote@gnb.ca>, brian.gallant <brian.gallant@gnb.ca>, jbosnitch <jbosnitch@gmail.com>, bruce.fitch <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, bruce.northrup <bruce.northrup@gnb.ca>, Brian Gallant <briangallant@nbliberal.ca>, brian.keirstead <brian.keirstead@gnb.ca>, Bill.Oliver <Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca>, carl. davies <carl.davies@gnb.ca>, carl.urquhart <carl.urquhart@gnb.ca>, <greg.byrne@gnb.ca>, <jack.keir@gnb.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, <Bernard.LeBlanc@gnb.ca>, denis.landry2 <denis.landry2@gnb.ca>, Stephen.Horsman <Stephen.Horsman@gnb.ca>, <Stephane.vaillancourt@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, wayne.easter <wayne.easter@parl.gc.ca>, Brenda.Lucki <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, hon.ralph.goodale <hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>, Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc <Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc@canada.ca>, kedgwickriver <kedgwickriver@gmail.com>, markandcaroline <markandcaroline@gmail.com>, Wilfred.Roussel <Wilfred.Roussel@gnb.ca>, <Kevhache@nb.sympatico.ca>, <gaudet2018@gmail.com>, Gilles.LePage <Gilles.LePage@gnb.ca>, <dannysoucypc@gmail.com>, <dcardy@gmail.com>, Gary.Crossman <Gary.Crossman@gnb.ca>, Glen.Savoie <Glen.Savoie@gnb.ca>, jeannotvolpe2018 <jeannotvolpe2018@gmail.com>, jeff.carr <jeff.carr@gnb.ca>, Ross.Wetmore <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, jill.green.fton <jill.green.fton@gmail.com>, MarcelDoiron <MarcelDoiron@rocketmail.com>, <martykingston2018@gmail.com>, votemarywilson <votemarywilson@gmail.com>, mikeholland4albert <mikeholland4albert@gmail.com>, <peggymcleanpchq@gmail.com>, <scott.smith.nms@gmail.com>, Trevor.Holder <Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca>, Dorothy.Shephard <Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, news <news@kingscorecord.com>, news <news@dailygleaner.com>, David.Raymond.Amos <David.Raymond.Amos@gmail.com>
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Aug 28, 2018 at 11:49 PM
Subject: Yo Dominic Cardy you must know where the old Chief of Staff Greg Lutes ran off to N'esy Pas?
To: oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, kelly <kelly@lamrockslaw.com>, Dominic.Cardy <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>, serge.rousselle <serge.rousselle@gnb.ca>, Bill.Fraser <Bill.Fraser@gnb.ca>, andre <andre@jafaust.com>, David.Coon <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, krisaustin <krisaustin@peoplesalliance.ca>, dan. bussieres <dan.bussieres@gnb.ca>, Gilles.Blinn <Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Gilles.Cote <Gilles.Cote@gnb.ca>, brian.gallant <brian.gallant@gnb.ca>, jbosnitch <jbosnitch@gmail.com>, bruce.fitch <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, bruce.northrup <bruce.northrup@gnb.ca>, Brian Gallant <briangallant@nbliberal.ca>, brian.keirstead <brian.keirstead@gnb.ca>, Bill.Oliver <Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca>, carl. davies <carl.davies@gnb.ca>, carl.urquhart <carl.urquhart@gnb.ca>, <greg.byrne@gnb.ca>, <jack.keir@gnb.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, <Bernard.LeBlanc@gnb.ca>, denis.landry2 <denis.landry2@gnb.ca>, Stephen.Horsman <Stephen.Horsman@gnb.ca>, <Stephane.vaillancourt@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, wayne.easter <wayne.easter@parl.gc.ca>, Brenda.Lucki <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, hon.ralph.goodale <hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>, Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc <Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc@canada.ca>, kedgwickriver <kedgwickriver@gmail.com>, markandcaroline <markandcaroline@gmail.com>, Wilfred.Roussel <Wilfred.Roussel@gnb.ca>, <Kevhache@nb.sympatico.ca>, <gaudet2018@gmail.com>, Gilles.LePage <Gilles.LePage@gnb.ca>, <dannysoucypc@gmail.com>, <dcardy@gmail.com>, Gary.Crossman <Gary.Crossman@gnb.ca>, Glen.Savoie <Glen.Savoie@gnb.ca>, jeannotvolpe2018 <jeannotvolpe2018@gmail.com>, jeff.carr <jeff.carr@gnb.ca>, Ross.Wetmore <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, jill.green.fton <jill.green.fton@gmail.com>, MarcelDoiron <MarcelDoiron@rocketmail.com>, <martykingston2018@gmail.com>, votemarywilson <votemarywilson@gmail.com>, mikeholland4albert <mikeholland4albert@gmail.com>, <peggymcleanpchq@gmail.com>, <scott.smith.nms@gmail.com>, Trevor.Holder <Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca>, Dorothy.Shephard <Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, news <news@kingscorecord.com>, news <news@dailygleaner.com>, David.Raymond.Amos <David.Raymond.Amos@gmail.com>
https://www.telegraphjournal.c
New Tory chief of staff has ties to Larry’s Gulch controversy
CHRIS MORRIS Legislature Bureau August 26, 2015
FREDERICTON • The opposition Tories in New Brunswick have hired a
chief of staff – Greg Lutes, a former deputy minister who has been
involved in the controversy surrounding the alteration of a guest list
at the Larry’s Gulch fishing camp.
http://davidraymondamos3.blogs
Monday, 22 January 2018
Mr Higgs and Dominic Cardy are trying to learn how to herd cats and
even the clowns are laughing at the nonsense
---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2018 20:51:37 -0400
Subject: Whereas Chucky Leblanc is going down memory lane with Blaine
Higgs tonight Methinks Dominic Cardy and his buddy Kelly Lamrock
should remind their boss of a few things N'esy Pas?
To: oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, kelly <kelly@lamrockslaw.com>,
"Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, "blaine.higgs"
<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.c
<serge.rousselle@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Fraser" <Bill.Fraser@gnb.ca>, andre
<andre@jafaust.com>, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, krisaustin
<krisaustin@peoplesalliance.ca
<dan.bussieres@gnb.ca>, "Gilles.Blinn" <Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>,
"Gilles.Cote" <Gilles.Cote@gnb.ca>, "brian.gallant"
<brian.gallant@gnb.ca>, jbosnitch <jbosnitch@gmail.com>, "bruce.fitch"
<bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, "bruce.northrup" <bruce.northrup@gnb.ca>, Brian
Gallant <briangallant@nbliberal.ca>, "brian.keirstead"
<brian.keirstead@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Oliver" <Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca>, "carl.
davies" <carl.davies@gnb.ca>, "carl.urquhart" <carl.urquhart@gnb.ca>,
greg.byrne@gnb.ca, jack.keir@gnb.ca, premier <premier@gnb.ca>,
Bernard.LeBlanc@gnb.ca, "denis.landry2" <denis.landry2@gnb.ca>,
"Stephen.Horsman" <Stephen.Horsman@gnb.ca>,
Stephane.vaillancourt@rcmp-grc
<wayne.easter@parl.gc.ca>, "Brenda.Lucki"
<Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "hon.ralph.goodale"
<hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>, "Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc"
<Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc@canada.ca
<kedgwickriver@gmail.com>, markandcaroline
<markandcaroline@gmail.com>, "Wilfred.Roussel"
<Wilfred.Roussel@gnb.ca>, Kevhache@nb.sympatico.ca,
gaudet2018@gmail.com, "Gilles.LePage" <Gilles.LePage@gnb.ca>,
dannysoucypc@gmail.com, dcardy@gmail.com, "Gary.Crossman"
<Gary.Crossman@gnb.ca>, "Glen.Savoie" <Glen.Savoie@gnb.ca>,
jeannotvolpe2018 <jeannotvolpe2018@gmail.com>, "jeff.carr"
<jeff.carr@gnb.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>,
"jill.green.fton" <jill.green.fton@gmail.com>, MarcelDoiron
<MarcelDoiron@rocketmail.com>, martykingston2018@gmail.com,
votemarywilson <votemarywilson@gmail.com>, mikeholland4albert
<mikeholland4albert@gmail.com>
scott.smith.nms@gmail.com, "Trevor.Holder" <Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca>,
"Dorothy.Shephard" <Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca>, Newsroom
<Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, news <news@kingscorecord.com>, news
<news@dailygleaner.com>, "David.Raymond.Amos"
<David.Raymond.Amos@gmail.com>
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Gallant, Premier Brian (PO/CPM)" <Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca>
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2018 05:35:32 +0000
Subject: RE: Mr Higgs and Dominic Cardy are trying to learn how to
herd cats and even the clowns are laughing at the nonsense
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Premier of New Brunswick. Please be
assured that your email will be reviewed.
If this is a media request, please forward your email to
media-medias@gnb.camedia-media
>. Thank you!
******************************
Nous vous remercions d’avoir communiqué avec le premier ministre du
Nouveau-Brunswick. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel sera examiné.
Si ceci est une demande médiatique, prière de la transmettre à
media-medias@gnb.camedia-media
Tuesday, 28 August 2018
For people who haven't seen the interview I made with P.C. Leader Blaine Higgs....
https://youtu.be/gJurxc9Msxw
Posted by Charles Leblanc at 1:04 pm No comments :
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Byrne, Greg (PO/CPM)" <Greg.Byrne@gnb.ca>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:51:47 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Whereas Chucky Leblanc is going down memory
lane with Blaine Higgs tonight Methinks Dominic Cardy and his buddy
Kelly Lamrock should remind their boss of a few things N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting me; unfortunately, I will be out of the
office until September 25, 2018. If you need asistance, please
contact vreception at 506-453-2144.
Merci de m’avoir contacté ; malheureusement, je suis hors du bureau
jusqu'au 25 septembre et je ne répondrai peut-etre pas à vos messages
avant cette date. Si vous avex besoin d'aide, veuillez appeler la
réception au (506) 453-2144.
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Fraser, Bill Hon. (DTI/MTI)" <Bill.Fraser@gnb.ca>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:51:47 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Whereas Chucky Leblanc is going down memory
lane with Blaine Higgs tonight Methinks Dominic Cardy and his buddy
Kelly Lamrock should remind their boss of a few things N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. Due to the provincial election, I will be
out of the office until Tuesday, September 25, 2018. This email
account will not be accessible until after the election.
For matters related to the Department of Transportation and
Infrastructure, please call 506-457-7345.
For matters related to the Regional Development Corporation, please
call 506-453-2277.
For matter related to Intergovernmental Affairs, please call 506-453-2875.
_____
Je vous remercie pour votre courriel. En raison de l'élection
provincial, je serai hors du bureau jusqu'au mardi 25 septembre 2018.
Ce courriel ne sera pas accessible durant l'élection.
Pour les questions relatives au ministère des transports et de
l'infrastructure, veuillez composer le 506-457-7345.
Pour les questions relatives à la société de développement régional,
veuillez composer le 506-453-2277.
Pour les questions relatives aux affaires intergouvernementales,
veuillez composer le 506-453-2875.
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Carr, Jeff (LEG)" <Jeff.Carr@gnb.ca>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:51:47 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Whereas Chucky Leblanc is going down memory
lane with Blaine Higgs tonight Methinks Dominic Cardy and his buddy
Kelly Lamrock should remind their boss of a few things N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing the office of Jeff Carr, MLA for the riding of
New Maryland - Sunbury. Please know that we have received your email,
and someone from our office will be in touch with you shortly.
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Coon, David (LEG)" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:51:47 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Whereas Chucky Leblanc is going down memory
lane with Blaine Higgs tonight Methinks Dominic Cardy and his buddy
Kelly Lamrock should remind their boss of a few things N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email./ Merci pour votre courriel.
During the election period, I can be contacted at
david.coon@greenpartynb.ca./ Pendant la campagne électorale, vous
pouvez me contacter à david.coon@greenpartynb.ca
Best Regards,/Meilleures salutations,
David Coon
MLA Fredericton South & Leader of the Green Party/
Député de Fredericton Sud et chef du Parti Vert
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Oliver, Bill (LEG)" <Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:51:47 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Whereas Chucky Leblanc is going down memory
lane with Blaine Higgs tonight Methinks Dominic Cardy and his buddy
Kelly Lamrock should remind their boss of a few things N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
The Constituency Office will be closed from August 23, 2018 to
September 24, 2018, inclusively.
Accordingly, this email account will not be active during the same period.
Le bureau de circonscription sera fermé due 23 août 2018 au 24
septembre 2018, inclusivement.
Par conséquent, ce couriel ne sera pas actif pendant cette période
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Fitch, Bruce (LEG)" <Bruce.Fitch@gnb.ca>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:51:47 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Whereas Chucky Leblanc is going down memory
lane with Blaine Higgs tonight Methinks Dominic Cardy and his buddy
Kelly Lamrock should remind their boss of a few things N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
The Constituency Office will be closed from August 23, 2018 to
September 24, 2018, inclusively. Accordingly, this email account will
not be active during the same period.
Le bureau de circonscription sera fermé du 23 août 2018 au 24
septembre 2018 inclusivement. Par conséquent, ce couriel ne sera pas
actif pendant cette période.
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Holder, Trevor (LEG)" <Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:51:43 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Whereas Chucky Leblanc is going down memory
lane with Blaine Higgs tonight Methinks Dominic Cardy and his buddy
Kelly Lamrock should remind their boss of a few things N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
"The Fifty-sixth Legislature of the Province of New Brunswick is
dissolved. Accordingly, the office with which this email account is
associated is closed.""La cinquante-sixieme legislature de la province
du Nouveau-Brunswick est dissout.En consequence, le bureau aupres
duquel ce compte courriel est associee est ferme."
---------- Original message ----------
From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:51:48 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Whereas Chucky Leblanc is going down memory
lane with Blaine Higgs tonight Methinks Dominic Cardy and his buddy
Kelly Lamrock should remind their boss of a few things N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting The Globe and Mail.
If your matter pertains to newspaper delivery or you require technical
support, please contact our Customer Service department at
1-800-387-5400 or send an email to customerservice@globeandmail.c
If you are reporting a factual error please forward your email to
publiceditor@globeandmail.com<
Letters to the Editor can be sent to letters@globeandmail.com
This is the correct email address for requests for news coverage and
press releases.
https://www.telegraphjournal.c
Retired RCMP officer to investigate alleged misuse of Larry’s Gulch
ADAM HURAS Legislature Bureau May 14, 2015
A group of canoes along the shore at Larry's Gulch.
Submitted
FREDERICTON • The province’s attorney general office has asked a
retired RCMP officer to investigate alleged misuse of Larry’s Gulch.
Attorney General Serge Rousselle has confirmed the move after pledging
earlier this year that the Liberal government will hire an independent
body to conduct further inquiry into the handling of Larry’s Gulch
guest lists.
No timeline has been placed on the investigation.
New Brunswick’s Access to Information Commissioner, Anne Bertrand, is
also investigating a 2013 trip to Larry’s Gulch.
A 2013 Larry’s Gulch guest list obtained by Brunswick News on Sept.
18, 2013, included a total of 20 names, including former premier David
Alward and a former assistant managing editor of the Times &
Transcript, Murray Guy, beside a three-day trip in July organized by
NB Liquor.
But another version of the list obtained by the newspaper L’Acadie
nouvelle at a later date no longer has any of those names for the
dates in question, instead replacing them with the word “private.”
An investigation by senior management at Brunswick News, which began
following a media inquiry, has uncovered that Murray Guy, a former
assistant managing editor at the Times & Transcript, was the guest of
Daniel Allain, then-president and CEO of NB Liquor, at Larry’s Gulch
fishing lodge in 2013.
The investigation also found that Guy and former Times & Transcript
managing editor Al Hogan, on their own initiative and without
disclosing to senior management, then sought to have Darell Fowlie,
deputy minister of communications in Alward’s government at the time,
alter the guest list before releasing it to other media.
By the spring of 2014, Fowlie had moved to the private sector and was
no longer with the premier’s office.
As a result of the investigation, Guy has resigned, and Hogan is no
longer employed by Brunswick News.
A government review of changes made to the guest list of the fishing
lodge was released on Tuesday and found that NB Liquor wrote a letter
to trigger the reclassification of a 2013 trip to Larry’s Gulch to
erase from the record the names of those in attendance and deem the
meeting private.
But that request only came after a former member of the premier’s
office asked the Department of Tourism to solicit NB Liquor for that
response.
https://www.telegraphjournal.c
Liberals refer Larry’s Gulch report to prosecutors
CHRIS MORRIS Legislature Bureau July 8, 2015
Energy and Mines Minister Donald Arseneault speaks to media in this file image.
Karissa Donkin/Legislature Bureau
FREDERICTON • The Liberal government has asked the Office of the
Attorney General to investigate the privacy commissioner’s finding
that two former deputy ministers altered a guest list for the
provincially owned Larry’s Gulch fishing camp.
Energy Minister Don Arseneault told reporters Tuesday that the Liberal
government has decided to refer the commissioner’s report to the
public prosecutions branch in the Office of the Attorney General to
review options for further action.
He said those options could include investigation by the RCMP.
“It is a very serious matter,” Arseneault said. “The law has been
broken and we feel that there should be repercussions for that but we
will let the process judge for itself.”
He said the review of Privacy Commissioner Anne Bertrand’s report,
which did not recommend charges, will be conducted by prosecutors and
will be independent of any political influence.
Bertrand’s report found that the former deputy minister of
communications “acted inappropriately” by asking the former deputy
minister of tourism to remove names of NB Liquor guests from the
Larry’s Gulch list. Those officials were acting on the request of a
former Times & Transcript assistant managing editor who wanted his
personal information removed from the list, she found.
The commissioner doesn’t use names in her report, but the deputy
minister of communications at the time was Darell Fowlie, while Greg
Lutes held the position of deputy minister of tourism.
Arseneault made it clear he does not accept the rationale offered by
Fowlie who told Bertrand that he did not “perceive a problem” in
making the changes to the fishing lodge guest list.
He said Lutes was advised by three separate department staff members
that altering the list would break the law.
“They knew very well what they were doing,” Arseneault said.
Fowlie served as deputy minister of communications in the office of
former premier David Alward until October 2013 when he took a leave of
absence from government to help plan the Progressive Conservative
re-election campaign.
Lutes was deputy minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture at the time
in question and had worked previously for the Tory party.
The opposition Tories declined to comment on Arseneault’s statements Tuesday.
An official in the opposition office instead referred to a previous
statement Tory MLA and former Attorney General Ted Flemming released
last week after Bertrand published her report.
“We have nothing to add as this entire episode was a carefully crafted
and timed smokescreen to draw attention away from the Auditor
General’s
preliminary report on the Atcon fiasco,” Flemming states, referring to
a previous Liberal government’s failed investment of over $70 million
into the Miramichi-based Atcon construction company.
“We would suggest to the taxpayers of our province to keep a careful
eye on the Gallant government while this report occupies space in the
media, as it offers yet another distraction from the actions of the
government.”
A 2013 Larry’s Gulch list obtained by Brunswick News on Sept. 18, 2013
had 20 names, including former premier David Alward and a former
assistant managing editor of the Times & Transcript, Murray Guy,
beside a three-day trip in July organized by NB Liquor. Another
version of the guest list obtained later by the newspaper L’Acadie
nouvelle no longer had any of those names for the dates in question,
instead replacing them with “private.”
An investigation by senior management at Brunswick News, which began
after a media inquiry, found in February that Guy was the guest of
Daniel Allain, then president and CEO of NB Liquor, at Larry’s Gulch
in 2013.
The investigation also found that Guy and former Times & Transcript
managing editor Al Hogan, on their own initiative and without
disclosing to senior management, then sought to have Darell Fowlie,
deputy minister of communications in Alward’s government at the time,
alter the guest list before releasing it to other media. Following the
Brunswick News investigation, Guy resigned, and Hogan is no longer
employed by Brunswick News.
Earlier this week, Bertrand defended her decision not to recommend
charges despite her finding that Fowlie and Lutes broke the province’s
conflict of interest law by altering the Gulch guest list.
The privacy commissioner said both men have already faced
“substantive” consequences by having their names in the media and
associated with “wrongdoing.”
“The people we interviewed, including the two we found responsible in
this case, had no clue these were consequences of their actions,”
Bertrand said. “For me, one of the pre-eminent results of this report
is to let the public know they have a right.”
Because Lutes and Fowlie are no longer employed by government, she
said she doesn’t believe they will repeat the error.
Bertrand said if it happened again, she would recommend charges.
https://www.telegraphjournal.c
Former New Brunswick Tory strategist loses new job
JOHN CHILIBECK Legislature Bureau July 9, 2015
A group of canoes along the shore at Larry's Gulch.
Submitted
A former political operative in David Alward’s Tory government has
lost his job in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Sharon Vokey, executive director of the Progressive Conservative Party
of Newfoundland, confirmed in a short interview on Wednesday that her
party’s campaign strategist Darell Fowlie had been relinquished of his
duties.
“He’s been let go – that’s correct,” she said before reading a
prepared statement. “Here’s all I have to say on it, and the party
will be offering no further comment: ‘Due to information that the
Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador was made
aware of recently, the party has concluded its contractual
relationship with Mr. Fowlie.”
Fowlie had been tapped last fall to help devise campaign strategy for
the governing party in the lead-up to the Nov. 30 provincial election
in Newfoundland and Labrador.
He took on the job shortly after his former boss and colleague,
Premier David Alward, lost the New Brunswick election to Brian
Gallant’s Liberals. He had been a senior strategist for Alward for
years and a deputy minister until spring 2014.
In a report released last week, New Brunswick’s access to information
commissioner, found the former deputy minister of communications
“acted inappropriately” by seeking to have the former deputy minister
of tourism remove names of NB Liquor guests from the Larry’s Gulch
guest list. Anne Bertrand found the officials were acting on a request
by a former assistant managing editor at the Times & Transcript who
wanted his personal information removed from the list before it was
made public by the tourism department.
Bertrand said her investigation found the actions of the two
government officials were “deliberate” in circumventing the province’s
access to information rules.
The commissioner doesn’t use names in her report, but the deputy
minister of communications at the time was Fowlie, while Greg Lutes
held the position of deputy minister of tourism.
Asked who would fill Fowlie’s shoes, Vokey said on Wednesday that was
yet to be determined.
“This is what political parties do,” Vokey said. “We’re gearing up
like we do every election, but no further comment on that.”
On Tuesday, New Brunswick’s Liberal government asked the Office of the
Attorney General to investigate the privacy commissioner’s finding
that two former deputy ministers altered a guest list for the
provincially owned Larry’s Gulch fishing camp.
Energy Minister Donald Arseneault told reporters the Liberal
government had decided to refer the commissioner’s report to the
public prosecutions branch in the Office of the Attorney General to
review options for further action.
He said those options could include investigation by the RCMP.
“It is a very serious matter,” Arseneault said.
Bertrand’s report found that the former deputy minister of
communications “acted inappropriately” by asking the former deputy
minister of tourism to remove names of NB Liquor guests from the
Larry’s Gulch list.
A 2013 Larry’s Gulch list obtained by Brunswick News on Sept. 18,
2013, had 20 names, including Alward’s and that of former assistant
managing editor of the Times & Transcript Murray Guy, beside a
three-day trip in July organized by NB Liquor. Another version of the
guest list obtained later by the newspaper L’Acadie nouvelle no longer
had any of those names for the dates in question, instead replacing
them with “private.”
An investigation by senior management at Brunswick News, which began
after a media inquiry, found in February that Guy was the guest of
Daniel Allain, then president and CEO of NB Liquor, at Larry’s Gulch
in 2013.
The investigation also found that Guy and former Times & Transcript
managing editor Al Hogan, on their own initiative and without
disclosing to senior management, then sought to have Fowlie, deputy
minister of communications in Alward’s government at the time, alter
the guest list before releasing it to other media. Following the
Brunswick News investigation, Guy resigned, and Hogan is no longer
employed by Brunswick News.
By the spring of 2014, Fowlie had moved to the private sector, but he
still worked behind the scenes to help the Alward campaign during the
election.
–With files from Chris Morris, Karissa Donkin and Adam Huras
https://www.telegraphjournal.c
Larry’s Gulch findings referred to RCMP
CHRIS MORRIS Legislature Bureau August 21, 2015
New Brunswick Attorney General Serge Rousselle, seen in this file
photo, has referred the findings from an investigation into the
provincially owned Larry’s Gulch fishing camp to the RCMP.
Adam Huras/Legislature Bureau
FREDERICTON • New Brunswick Attorney General Serge Rousselle has
referred the findings from an investigation into the provincially
owned Larry’s Gulch fishing camp to the RCMP.
Rousselle’s office said in a statement on Friday that the independent
report, prepared by retired RCMP officer Gary Le Gresley, investigated
“the uses made of Larry’s Gulch and whether public funds were used to
support political goals.”
“The findings were presented to the Office of the Attorney General
and, based on those findings, the decision was made to refer the
matter to the RCMP,” the Office of the Attorney General said in its
statement.
No other details were released.
RCMP Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh in Fredericton said the force has
received a complaint from the attorney general, along with
documentation, and is reviewing the information “to decide what course
of action should be taken.”
Opposition Tory Leader Bruce Fitch said that the behaviour of the
attorney general is “highly irregular,” and that the Liberal
government is trying to divert attention from other issues.
The Liberals did not respond to requests for comment.
In July, the Liberal government asked the public prosecutions branch
in the Office of the Attorney General to investigate Privacy
Commissioner Anne Bertrand’s finding that two former deputy ministers
altered a guest list for the Larry’s Gulch camp to omit the name of a
former Times & Transcript editor.
The privacy commissioner said in her report that the former deputy
minister for communications within the Premier’s Office “acted
inappropriately” by pursuing having the then-deputy minister from the
Department of Tourism remove the names of NB Liquor guests from the
Larry’s Gulch list.
Bertrand did not use names in her report, but the deputy minister of
communications at the time was Darell Fowlie, while Greg Lutes held
the position of deputy minister of tourism.
In that case, Energy Minister Don Arseneault said the Liberal
government decided to refer the commissioner’s report to prosecutors
to review options for further action, including possibly sending the
matter to the RCMP.
Bertrand did not recommend charges in her report.
A 2013 Larry’s Gulch list obtained by Brunswick News on Sept. 18,
2013, had 20 names, including former premier David Alward and a former
assistant managing editor of the Times & Transcript, Murray Guy,
beside a three-day trip in July organized by NB Liquor. Another
version of the guest list obtained later by the newspaper L’Acadie
nouvelle no longer had any of those names for the dates in question,
instead replacing them with “private.”
An investigation by senior management at Brunswick News, which began
after a media inquiry, found in February that Guy was the guest of
Daniel Allain, then president and CEO of NB Liquor, at Larry’s Gulch
in 2013.
The investigation also found that Guy and former Times & Transcript
managing editor Al Hogan, on their own initiative and without
disclosing to senior management, sought to have Fowlie, deputy
minister of communications in Alward’s government at the time, alter
the guest list before releasing it to other media. Following the
Brunswick News investigation, Guy resigned, and Hogan is no longer
employed by Brunswick News.
Bertrand has said she decided not to recommend charges despite her
finding that the two deputy ministers broke the province’s conflict of
interest law by altering the list. At the time, the privacy
commissioner said both officials had already faced “substantive”
consequences by having their names in the media and associated with
“wrongdoing.”
She also said she believed her report sent the required message about
the need for civil servants not to alter or conceal public government
records, but that if there was another similar incident, she would
consider charges.
https://www.telegraphjournal.c
New Tory chief of staff has ties to Larry’s Gulch controversy
CHRIS MORRIS Legislature Bureau August 26, 2015
FREDERICTON • The opposition Tories in New Brunswick have hired a
chief of staff – Greg Lutes, a former deputy minister who has been
involved in the controversy surrounding the alteration of a guest list
at the Larry’s Gulch fishing camp.
The hiring of Lutes was announced via a brief message on Twitter on
Tuesday, saying the opposition office is “pleased to welcome new Chief
of Staff Greg Lutes.”
Opposition leader Bruce Fitch declined to be interviewed, but reacted
in an email to Liberal government disapproval of the appointment by
questioning government policies, including a recent senior-level
appointment in the office of Premier Brian Gallant.
“The people of New Brunswick might wonder why the premier has created
yet another deputy-level paycheck in the premier’s office in the form
of the new Principal Secretary,” Fitch said in his statement.
Energy Minister Don Arseneault, who is the Liberal government’s chief
spokesman on the Larry’s Gulch issue, said the hiring of Lutes raises
questions about decision making in the opposition office.
“I mean, come on ... for the Tories to actually hire Greg Lutes after
all we know and is still unfolding about Larry’s Gulch, it really
questions their decision- making,” Arseneault said.
“They need to explain – do they really think this is the right decision?”
Last week, the New Brunswick attorney general’s office said the
findings from a private investigator’s report into the provincially
owned fishing camp have been referred to the RCMP.
In addition, in July, the Liberal government asked the public
prosecutions branch in the Office of the Attorney General to
investigate Privacy Commissioner Anne Bertrand’s finding that two
former deputy ministers altered a guest list for the Larry’s Gulch
camp to omit the name of a former Times & Transcript editor.
The privacy commissioner said in her report that the former deputy
minister for communications within the Premier’s Office “acted
inappropriately” by pursuing having the then-deputy minister from the
Department of Tourism remove the names of NB Liquor guests from the
Larry’s Gulch list.
Bertrand did not use names in her report, but the deputy minister of
communications at the time was Darell Fowlie, while Lutes held the
position of deputy minister of tourism.
Lutes was deputy minister of tourism under the previous Progressive
Conservative government from 2013 until last year’s election.
A 2013 Larry’s Gulch list obtained by Brunswick News on Sept. 18,
2013, had 20 names, including former premier David Alward and a former
assistant managing editor of the Times & Transcript, Murray Guy,
beside a three-day trip in July organized by NB Liquor. Another
version of the guest list obtained later by the newspaper L’Acadie
nouvelle no longer had any of those names for the dates in question,
instead replacing them with “private.”
An investigation by senior management at Brunswick News, which began
after a media inquiry, found in February that Guy was the guest of
Daniel Allain, then president and CEO of NB Liquor, at Larry’s Gulch
in 2013.
The investigation also found that Guy and former Times & Transcript
managing editor Al Hogan, on their own initiative and without
disclosing to senior management, sought to have Fowlie, deputy
minister of communications in Alward’s government at the time, alter
the guest list before releasing it to other media.
Following the Brunswick News investigation, Guy resigned, and Hogan is
no longer employed by Brunswick News.
Bertrand has said she decided not to recommend charges despite her
finding that the two deputy ministers broke the province’s conflict of
interest law by altering the list.
At the time, the privacy commissioner said both officials had already
faced “substantive” consequences by having their names in the media
and associated with “wrongdoing.”
She also said she believed her report sent the required message about
the need for civil servants not to alter or conceal public government
records, but that if there was another similar incident, she would
consider charges.
No charges in Larry’s Gulch investigation: RCMP
ADAM HURAS Legislature Bureau April 14, 2016
Submitted A group of canoes along the shore at Larry's Gulch.
FREDERICTON • The New Brunswick RCMP has concluded that no charges
will be laid after an investigation into the government’s fishing
lodge guest list.
“Last fall, we received some documents reporting of a discrepancy in
the guest lists at Larry’s Gulch in 2013,” said Const. Jullie
Rogers-Marsh. “This would have been information we received from the
attorney general.
“We have reviewed the information and it was determined that there is
no criminality and the matter is now concluded and the complainant has
been informed of the outcome.”
It was revealed in early 2015 that a Gulch guest list from 2013 had
been altered and the names of NB Liquor officials, government
representatives and their guests removed and replaced with the word
“private.”
Privacy commissioner Anne Bertrand then investigated and released a
report in which she concluded that two senior government officials
“acted inappropriately” by altering the Larry’s Gulch list – a
document that is available to the public under the Access to
Information law.
Bertrand said the officials in question were acting on the request of
a former Times & Transcript assistant managing editor who wanted his
personal information removed from the list.
An investigation by senior management at Brunswick News in February,
2015 found that Murray Guy, former assistant managing editor at the
Times & Transcript, was the guest of Daniel Allain, then-president and
CEO of NB Liquor, at the 2013 event.
The investigation also found that Guy and former managing editor Al
Hogan, on their own initiative and without disclosing to senior
management, then sought to have Darell Fowlie, who was deputy minister
of communications in former premier David Alward’s office, alter the
guest list before releasing it to other media.
As a result of the investigation, Guy resigned, and Hogan is no longer
employed by Brunswick News.
The commissioner didn’t use names in her report, but the two
government officials were Fowlie and Greg Lutes, a former deputy
minister of tourism.
The commissioner did not recommend charges, despite stating that “such
actions constituted an offence” under the province’s Conflict of
Interest Act.
Attorney General Serge Rousselle then asked a retired RCMP officer to
investigate the alleged misuse of Larry’s Gulch. The finding from that
investigation were then referred to the RCMP.
“There is vindication there that there are no charges,” Opposition
Leader Bruce Fitch said in an interview. “That was my thought all
along.”
Fitch said with the Larry’s Gulch file wrapped up, the RCMP can focus
on another.
“It frees up their time now to do the Atcon investigation,” Fitch said.
The Progressive Conservatives handed over the disgraced Miramichi
company’s backup computer servers to the RCMP after revealing last
December that the party purchased them at a bankruptcy auction in
2013.
Rogers-Marsh said there was no update to provide on that investigation
on Wednesday.
Liberal Minister Donald Arseneault was critical of Fitch’s comments
that the Progressive Conservatives have been “vindicated,” pointing
back to the privacy commissioner’s findings of wrongdoing.
“They altered lists and Bruce Fitch thinks they’re vindicated, that
they’ve done nothing wrong,” Arseneault said, adding that the
Progressive Conservatives have since hired Greg Lutes as their chief
of staff. “A good day for the Conservatives is when there’s no
criminal charges laid against them.”
Still, Arseneault said he respects the RCMP’s findings.
“This chapter on this process is over,” he said. “But at the same
time, New Brunswickers continue to judge the various parties,
including the Tories, on how they conduct themselves.”
Emails sent to both Fowlie and Lutes for comment were not returned.
The Gallant government has since announced that booking priority at
the Gulch is now being given to private sector groups, although
government trips will continue, limited to excursions that “will lead
to job creation, improving New Brunswick’s economy, and fostering
intergovernmental partnerships.”
The February budget then stated that government would look for a
private-sector operator to run the lodge beginning next year.
No comments:
Post a Comment