News Release

FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK (May 1, 2000) - Honourable Bev Harrison, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is pleased to announce that on the unanimous recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Stuart G. Stratton, Q.C., has been appointed New Brunswick's first Conflict of Interest Commissioner under the Act.

The Conflict of Interest Commissioner has the mandate to ensure that elected officials comply with the conflict of interest provisions of the new Members' Conflict of Interest Act. The new Act, which was enacted by the Legislative Assembly in March of 1999, has been proclaimed to come into force on May 1, 2000.

Commissioner Stratton's appointment became effective February 1, 2000. He is currently focussing his efforts on establishing procedures for the Office of the Conflict Commissioner and meeting with all Members of the Legislative Assembly.

The new Act is a culmination of a review undertaken by the Legislative Administration Committee of conflict of interest legislation in New Brunswick.

The Committee presented its final report to the House on December 18, 1998. The report contained numerous recommendations for reforming conflict of interest legislation.

A main recommendation of the Committee was that a new Members' Conflict of Interest Act be enacted and that a Conflict of Interest Commissioner be appointed to administer the legislation.

The Government responded to the report by introducing Bill 64, Members' Conflict of Interest Act. The Act replaces the provisions in the Conflict of Interest Act which applied to Members of the Legislative Assembly. The Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner takes over functions previously performed by a designated judge of the Court of Queen's Bench or Court of Appeal of New Brunswick.

"The general intent of the Act is to prevent conflicts from arising between the exercise of a Member's official duties and his or her private interests, and to ensure that public confidence is maintained in our elected officials," stated Commissioner Stratton.

"One of the main functions of the Commissioner will be to advise Members of their obligations under the Act. We are confident that Justice Stratton will do an outstanding job as Conflict of Interest Commissioner for New Brunswick," said Speaker Harrison, who also serves as Chair of the Legislative Administration Committee.

The Office of the Commissioner is located in Edgecombe House located at 736 King Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Commissioner may be reached at (506) 457-7890.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Loredana Catalli Sonier, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly - Tel: (506) 453-2506