With the province’s business proceeding as normal, it is impossible to know if Premier Williams is in conflict of interest in his decision making as leader of the government.

The line of questioning is below.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it was recently reported in the media that the Premier still had not finalized his Conflict of Interest statement declaring all of his business interests and ensuring that each of his holdings was placed in a blind trust. It is expected that all ministers, particularly the Premier, complete this process in a timely fashion; however, it has taken the Premier now several months to fulfill the requirement.

A Budget has recently been tabled and a new Department of Business, of which the Premier is also the Minister Responsible, has been created.

Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier is: Could he please update the people of the Province as to whether or not he has completed this important requirement that ensures that he is not in a conflict of interest while making decisions, either as the Premier or as the Minister Responsible for Business?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as the Leader of the Opposition knows, that matter is currently being dealt with by the Commissioner. I am working with the Commissioner. My officials are actually working with the Commissioner, my auditors, my financial advisors. The business holdings that I had are somewhat complex. We are proceeding as quickly and with all due dispatch that we can in a proper manner. I have no reason to believe that the Commissioner is dissatisfied with the process, and my own personal auditor is dealing with that. I see no problem at this time but we are moving forward. It is a complex situation and I am doing everything I can to deal with it as soon as possible.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. GRIMES: Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier just recently, in the last couple of days, actually, has refused to appear before the Estimates Committee for the Department of Business, that would have allowed the Opposition to ask direct questions related to the new department.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: Was the real reason that he would not agree to reschedule the Committee a direct result of what he feared could be asked regarding his personal business holdings and possible conflicts of interest in his position as Premier and Minister of Business?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, the real reason why I was not at that committee meeting was that I was in Europe. As hon members opposite -

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

PREMIER WILLIAMS: If you would just allow me to answer the question that you just asked.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Premier.

PREMIER WILLIAMS: I was in Europe, and actually conducting business on behalf of the Province. As I said, when I answered these questions previously, I was over there trying to deal with a very difficult situation at 5 Wing Goose Bay. A piece of business that is worth $100 million to the people of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and indeed Labrador generally. A very, very important piece of business. So that is something we are trying to foster as well.

While I was there - as I indicated when I was on my feet just a couple of days ago - I met with the Canadian Embassies, and as the Minister of Business I am trying to do everything possible to attract business to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in order to create jobs and employment and economic growth and development for the Province. So I would certainly think that was very, very productive. As well, I was also dealing with the foreign overfishing file, which is something of extreme importance to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the Premier now to complete his answer, quickly.

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

So, if that is not a satisfactory explanation I can do no more. I was not in the Province. I was not available. The Estimates were passed. I was doing my best to grow the Province and develop business for the Province.