Premier Caroline Cochrane issued the following statement today concerning the report of the NWT Integrity Commissioner:

“I welcome today’s report by NWT Integrity Commissioner David Jones dismissing MLA Jackie Jacobson’s recent complaint against myself and Minister Diane Thom. Mr. Jones has found insufficient grounds to warrant an inquiry and has concluded that the complaint is vexatious and was not made in good faith,

“I absolutely believe that the behaviour of all Ministers and Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly must be above reproach, in keeping with the great responsibility and trust that the people of the Northwest Territories have placed in us, and fully support the legitimate use of established processes and tools for holding us to account, 

“While I am pleased that an independent authority has examined all the facts related to Mr. Jacobson’s complaint and made an unbiased determination about the truth of the allegations, it is disappointing that this formal process meant to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Legislative Assembly and its Members was evidently used for reasons unrelated to our role or work as government,

“All Members were elected to serve the people of the Northwest Territories and work hard to address the needs and priorities of residents and communities. These unfounded allegations have been a significant distraction that have taken up valuable time and attention from Ministers, Members and officials that could have been better used advancing work that would benefit the territory,

 “The past few months have been difficult ones for my new Cabinet and a new government, as the whole territory has had to deal with an unexpected global pandemic that is affecting the territory at all levels. I am proud of all the Ministers, who have risen to the challenge of COVID-19 and their new roles.

“Now that Mr. Jones has made his report, I look forward to putting this distraction behind us and to all Members of the Legislative Assembly being able to focus full time on working together in a respectful and professional manner to chart a path out of the current pandemic, advance the priorities of the Legislative Assembly and mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories.”

Minister of Health and Social Services Diane Thom added:

“I am relieved to receive the report of the NWT Integrity Commissioner and his decision to dismiss the complaint against the Premier and myself. I take my role as Minister of Health and Social Services seriously and am committed to doing the best job I can to help protect the health of all residents of the NWT. The past few months have been challenging, both on a personal and professional level, and I am now looking forward to focusing on the job I was chosen to do by the voters of Inuvik Boot Lake and the Members of the Legislative Assembly.”