The report recommends the mayor and deputy-mayor should not be removed from council. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

inquiry report

Inquiry report is not an exoneration of Pinehouse Lake leadership: Minister Carr

Feb 19, 2020 | 1:17 PM

A formal inquiry report released today in regards to the Northern Village of Pinehouse Lake is not an exoneration of local councillors.

That’s according to Government Relations Minister Lori Carr, who said the province also won’t accept a business as usual approach from the village. The report from former Justice William Vancise includes a number of recommendations and also states the mayor and deputy-mayor of the village should not be removed from office.

The latest probe at Pinehouse was prompted by a scathing report from the Privacy and Information Commissioner in 2018 pointing to a lack of cooperation and non-compliance to Freedom of Information requests over many years regarding the village’s finances and governance.

A leaked report in 2019 following an initial inspection of the village by independent inspector Neil Robertson, included a recommendation the mayor, Mike Natomagen and one councillor, Conrad Misponas, be removed from office. Following that initial inspection, a full investigation including an audit was ordered and the administration has been under special supervision for many months.

The inquiry ended in November 2019 and the final report was under review by the provincial government since it was received Dec. 23.

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Other recommendations in the inquiry report include the province consider potential amendments to The Local Authority Information and Protection of Privacy Act, amendments to The Northern Municipal Act, 2010 regarding conflict of interest definitions and the provision restricting council members’ employment by the municipality or its controlled corporations, and the minister may consider extending the special financial audit.

“This report has helped provide considerable clarity into the complex situation within the village and the many challenges it faces,” Carr said. “Mr. Vancise recommends that members of council should not be removed from office. The Government of Saskatchewan accepts this recommendation.”

The report also noted in some instances the village council was not meeting their legislative responsibilities in the areas of access to information requests and some municipal operations. It was determined, however, it was not a result of a deliberate disregard for the law and the village has taken steps to address the issue.

“Clearly there is more work to do within the community,” Carr said. “That is why I am immediately ordering officials within the ministry to arrange for temporary administration support-staff to provide hands-on assistance to the local council.”

The support staff will remain in Pinehouse for up to six months and is part of several actions the community must carry out to ensure the community is meeting its obligations under the law.

Going forward, the village must ensure all recommendations of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commission’s existing review reports regarding the village are addressed, ensure all financial activities of the village and its controlled corporations are properly accounted for in the village’s financial statements, and provide a public disclosure statement for all elected village officials.

The province also needs to be provided with a resolution of council, along with written evidence that clearly shows that no elected village officials are serving as employees of the village or any of its corporations. It must also provide written confirmation council is committed to taking the steps necessary to support its acting municipal administrator to become certified by the Saskatchewan Urban Board of Examiners.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno