The premier of New Brunswick has made public an ultimatum he gave to longtime MLA Donald Arseneault over what he calls a perceived conflict of interest, advising him to either leave his new role with the Canadian Building Trades Union or the Liberal Party.
READ MORE: New Brunswick MLA insists no conflict of interest despite controversy with second job
“We made it very clear that he has to make a choice between the job or sitting in our caucus,” said Premier Brian Gallant at the legislature on Thursday.
The news comes several days after Arseneault spoke about the process leading up to his acceptance of the job.
“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, which is lobbying,” he said on Oct. 27.
Gallant now says that stops short of what his caucus members must strive for, which is avoiding any perception of a conflict.
“He has to act and make a decision between being a Liberal MLA and having the job that is perceived to be containing lobbying in its description,” Gallant told reporters.
“The commissioner made it pretty clear that if he would do any actions that would resemble being a lobbyist, then he would be in a conflict of interest. So him going to be the manager of lobbyists, whatever the title is, within a union group is certainly an apparent conflict of interest.”
Opposition MLA Ted Flemming says his party has been crying foul over Arseneault doing double duty since it became public and is glad the premier is now addressing the issue, although he doesn’t believe enough is being done.
WATCH: NB MLA insists no conflict despite second job controversy
“The premier’s denial was wrong. He’s obviously reflected on it and he is now of opinion, which we’ve been from the get-go, that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable,” he said.
“You can change a skunk’s name and a skunk still stinks.”
New Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon says it isn’t just the Conflict of Interest Act that needs an overhaul.
He believes the rules surrounding the position of MLA must be tightened to avoid issues like this from arising in the future.
“It really should say attached to the rules of the house that when you’re elected as an MLA, that is your job and you can’t hold other jobs,” Coon said.
The premier seems to agree.
“We agree with the opposition, those rules need to be strengthened,” said Gallant.
The premier has said they intend to work with the other side of the house to close any loopholes that exist.
He has given Arseneault until the end of the week to advise him of his decision.
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