NORTH BATTLEFORD – Saskatchewan Education Minister and Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill is not worried about a Conflict of Interest investigation concerning him that's underway, as he said he has "nothing to hide."
"I'm fully co-operating with the Conflict of Interest commissioner, as I have since I was elected in 2020," Cockrill told reporters at a media scrum in North Battleford on Sept. 5. "Anytime the Conflict of Interest commissioner has made a request or a recommendation to me since 2020, I've followed that. Certainly, that process is ongoing. I'm still trying to understand what that process is from the commissioner, but it's an ongoing process and I'll continue to co-operate."
Cockrill is under scrutiny over his role as a salesperson with his family’s business Fortress Windows and Doors. In MLA disclosure statements filed with the province for 2020 and 2021, Cockrill disclosed that the business had contracted to provide windows and door replacement to the Battlefords Housing Authority and Cut Knife Housing Authority, as well as window and door repair for SaskTel.
As far as the business's contracts are concerned, in an email to SaskToday on Sept. 6, Cockrill further clarified the matter.
"The Commissioner asked that I disclose any contracts that Fortress Windows and Doors had with government entities with 2020 and 2021," he stated. "I complied with this request, but I don’t know the details of these contracts as I was not involved with those jobs. To clarify my role, I was an employee of the company from 2017 to 2021 and have never been an owner or shareholder, nor was I involved with the contracts in question. My wife’s family has owned and operated the business for over three decades in the Battlefords."
Cockrill is not overly concerned about the investigation.
"I've been open and transparent about my personal financial interests ever since I was elected in 2020," he said. "I've got nothing to hide. As I've said, every time the commissioner has made a recommendation or a request of me since 2020, I've followed that. So, I look forward to the process concluding. I sleep well at night. I've got nothing to hide."
When it comes to the review being undertaken by the Conflict of Interest commissioner, Cockrill said he "will continue to cooperate in every way."
The Conflict of Interest commissioner confirmed last week he was launching an investigation into Cockrill and Regina Northeast MLA Gary Grewal.
Commissioner Maurice Herauf confirmed that he had determined there were reasonable and probable grounds to proceed with the conflict of interest investigation into the two MLAs. Grewal, MLA for Regina Northeast, is under scrutiny over his ownership stake in the Sunrise and Thriftlodge motels in Regina, which were used to house social services clients. The NDP has alleged that the clients were housed at inflated rates. Grewal has stated he did not have a management role in either motel.
– With files from John Cairns
