Independent MHAs Paul Lane and Eddie Joyce want to know why it took nearly three months and an official complaint to the Citizens’ Representative to get government to finally acknowledge the existence of a whistleblower report into the conduct of Elections NL CEO Bruce Chaulk.
Lane and Joyce are pleased to hear the Premier acknowledge the report and the intent to make it public, but say it should have happened voluntarily nearly three months ago.
The pair say if not for the employees involved approaching members of the opposition out of sheer frustration, they’re wondering how long the report might have been kept under wraps.
The two MHAs say the Speaker and government have to take responsibility for the mishandling of the matter and measures need to be taken to address what they say they’re being told have been ongoing at Elections NL.
Bennett’s Response
Speaker Derek Bennett is providing some context into the receipt of a recent report into allegations of bullying, harassment and nepotism against Elections NL CEO Bruce Chaulk.
The Premier told reporters Tuesday that he first saw the report on Monday, yet, questions were first raised by Independent MHA Paul Lane about the existence of the report in May.
The package received by government included several letters from Speaker Derek Bennett, one of which takes issue with how the report became public knowledge in the first place.
The Premier indicated that the Speaker had the report for a number of months, but only informed government this week.
Bennett meanwhile says Public Interest Disclosure provisions limit the Speaker’s authority to receive a report from the Citizen’s Representative and to refer it to an appropriate entity.
He says matters such as those contained in the report are taken seriously and acted upon as quickly as possible while ensuring due diligence is afforded and the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice are upheld.
Bennett indicates that once a formal request is received from the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, the Management Commission will review it.
