Friday, May 9, 2008

OTTAWA - In our April 11, 2008 press release Democracy Watch stated, 

“that Ethics Counsellor Wilson had told Secretary of State Peterson he must avoid close contact with people lobbying him, including the fact that Wilson had ordered Peterson to stop using Campbell as his trustee because Campbell had registered to lobby Peterson.” 

“Under his powers under subsections 5(1), 7(4) and 13(2) of the Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders, then-Ethics Counsellor Howard Wilson did not "order" Secretary of State Jim Peterson to stop using Barry Campbell as his trustee because Barry Campbell had registered to lobby Mr. Peterson's Department, he made a "determination"  that it would be appropriate for Mr. Peterson to stop using Mr. Campbell as his trustee because Mr. Campbell had registered to lobby Mr. Peterson.  Mr. Peterson and Mr. Campbell had discussed Mr. Campbell's impending registration to lobby Mr. Peterson and his Department , and had decided it would be appropriate for a new trustee to be appointed.  On the date of Mr. Campbell's registration Mr. Peterson discussed the matter with Mr. Wilson.  Mr. Wilson determined a new trustee should be appointed and undertook to call Mr. Campbell and see if arrangements could be made to do so.  Democracy Watch wishes to apologize to Mr. Campbell and Mr. Peterson for any inference that might have been drawn that the Ethics Counsellor’s determination was resisted by either of them or that it involved a finding that either had violated their ethical or legal obligations.”