Saskatchewan health minister breached conflict-of-interest rules, penalty recommended

REGINA — Saskatchewan’s conflict of interest commissioner has found Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill breached rules when a window company with family ties did business with the government three years ago.

The report released Monday from commissioner Maurice Herauf says in 2021, Cockrill was an employee of Fortress Window and Doors and therefore was in a conflict when the company received nearly $180,000 in government contracts that year.

The company is owned by Cockrill’s in-laws and had done work for a public housing authority in North Battleford, west of Saskatoon.

The report says Cockrill received hourly compensation, was responsible for marketing and got a bonus.

“It is my opinion that Mr. Cockrill has breached (Section 15) of the act through his involvement with Fortress from June 23, 2021, to Dec. 14, 2021,” Herauf’s report says.

Section 15 prohibits legislature members from participating in government contracts.

Cockrill was elected to represent the Saskatchewan Party in 2020 and sworn into cabinet two years later.

Herauf wrote Cockrill was hired by his father-in-law in 2017 and took on an assistant manager role at the company with duties that included bidding on contracts.

When he was nominated for the October 2020 election, Cockrill and his father-in-law decided to scale back the minister’s responsibilities. Herauf wrote he was no longer the contact for bids and was not involved with government clients in 2021.

“Mr. Cockrill was a part-time employee and Fortress was a small family business, such that he felt an obligation to his family and employer not to leave the business in the lurch,” the report says.

Herauf wrote Cockrill was surprised to receive a bonus in December 2021 after ending his employment in August.

“His father-in-law told him that he appreciated him finishing things up. Mr. Cockrill reported and paid taxes on this payment as employment income and did not consider it a gift from a family member.”

The commissioner recommended Cockrill only receive a penalty.

Herauf wrote the minister’s interest in the company has long ended and he did not act deliberately. He adds Cockrill had sought advice from the commissioner on conflict issues, but was not told how to proceed with his employment.

“In these circumstances, I do not consider a fine, suspension or declaration of vacancy appropriate — in fact, I consider such penalties wholly disproportionate to the breach of the act identified in this opinion,” Herauf wrote.

Cockrill said in a statement he accepts the finding.

“The commissioner found that I breached the act through my ‘remote’ and ‘de minimis’ (a Latin phase meaning trifling or negligible) participation in government contracts. The breach of the act was neither ‘intentional nor deliberate,’” he said.

Herauf released a second report Monday that investigated Cockrill’s investments in Royal Helium and Helium Evolution, finding the minister did not breach rules in those cases.

Saskatchewan’s Opposition NDP had requested both investigations into Cockrill.

On the helium investments, the NDP wanted to know when the minister bought shares into the companies and what, if any, insider information he might have been privy to before the purchase.

Herauf’s report says Cockrill has not participated in negotiations involving the companies.

The commissioner wrote the minister has also recused himself from cabinet when the companies are discussed, which is “not only appropriate but mandated” in the legislation.

The report says Cockrill bought Royal Helium shares in November 2022 but sold them a year later. He began buying Helium Evolution shares in April 2022 and continues to hold them.

“Mr. Cockrill described himself as a ‘nerd’ about Saskatchewan news and stated that he saw an opportunity in the helium sector,” Herauf wrote.

The report adds government contracts that involve licences or permits available to the public are exempted from Section 15 of the legislation.

Cockrill said he accepts the findings.

“This matter has been difficult for my family as NDP (members) and candidates have tried to sully the reputation of both me and my family to score political points,” he said.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the commissioner and continuing a demonstrated track record of transparency.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2024.

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press