Manitoba’s ethics commissioner has found a Progressive Conservative MLA and former cabinet minister violated the province’s conflict of interest act.
Greg Nesbitt, who represents Riding Mountain, has an interest in Russell Inns Ltd., which has a contract with the provincial government. With some exceptions, MLAs are prohibited from having a contract with the government or an interest in a private company that has a contract with the government.
MLAs must also include any contracts with the government in their disclosure statements. Mr. Nesbitt contravened the act by not doing so, commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor said in a report released Tuesday.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
Riding Mountain MLA Greg Nesbitt speaks during question period in 2023.
The commissioner found Nesbitt’s shares in the Russell Inns group of companies are non-voting and held as a form of security.
“He has no role or voice in its activities, and so he was unaware of the existence of the contract. The commissioner therefore recommended that no penalty be imposed,” the news release said.
Nesbitt was given the option of divesting his interest in the group of companies or seeking the commissioner’s approval to waive the prohibition. He chose the latter, and his request was granted.
“I have also advised Mr. Nesbitt that he should, if possible, take steps to have the Russell Inns group of companies advise him if any of them enter into contracts with the government of Manitoba in the future,” Schnoor said in the report.
An investigation was launched after NDP MLA Mike Moyes made a request on Aug. 9.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca