New Brunswick MLA Donald Arseneault is defending his ability to work for a national organization while remaining a sitting member of the legislative assembly and insists he won’t resign ahead of the end of his term.
Former Cabinet Minister Donald Arseneault recently accepted a position with the Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) which many viewed as a conflict of interest for an MLA.
Arseneault asserts that after advising the premier of his intentions not to seek re-election in 2018 he did his due diligence before considering the new role and is abiding by all existing rules.
“The (Conflict of Interest) Commissioner told me I was able to pursue this opportunity but with conditions that there are certain things you can and cannot do,” he explained. “Which is lobbying.”
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The entire situation has the Official Opposition up in arms saying regardless of what Arseneault is stating, a government member working for a group which lobbies the government is a conflict.
“I’m going to suggest that the conflict of interest regulations be changed to get rid of this bizarre technicality,” said Rothesay MLA Ted Flemming.
“I mean could you imagine someone saying we need a law that says a sitting MLA cannot be paid to be a lobbyist of government?”
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A lawyer himself, Flemming says the situation should serve as a catalyst to create legislation barring such a practice from occurring in the future.
“Here’s the irony of it, technically he’s not in violation,” explained Flemming. “And the only reason he isn’t is because no draftsman would ever have contemplated such outrageous behaviour.”
Arseneault’s most recent cabinet portfolio, Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, admittedly would’ve created a conflict of interest had he pursued a role with the CBTU.
Prior to being removed from Cabinet in the most recent shuffle, Arseneault indicated the conflicting element was removed from his file to ensure everything was above the board.
“The premier issued a letter to me to relieve me of my duties on the labour component and Minister Bill Fraser took on those responsibilities as of August 22nd,” he explained.
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With nearly a year remaining before the next scheduled election, Arseneault says he isn’t planning on resigning his seat and is confident he can remain effective in the role he’s held for over a decade and a half, despite his new responsibilities in Ottawa.
“I think I can do both. I was a minister of four portfolios as well as being an MLA,” he said. “I’ve shown over the years that I’m able to manage multiple responsibilities.”