I'm glad for Chisholm Pothier.

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Originally uploaded by Oldmaison.

Lord's press aide didn't need to quit: ombudsman
Last Updated: Thursday, September 28, 2006 | 5:27 PM AT
I was allowed in the Legislature when this happens and speaking to some reporters?

I could get the feeling that they believed that Chisholm resign too quickly but that's the way he is and this is the reason that I truly respect the guy!!



CBC News

An assistant to Premier Bernard Lord didn't need to resign after inadvertently violating privacy rules, New Brunswick's ombudsman said in a report.

Bernard Richard released his report Thursday into the actions of Chisholm Pothier, a former press aide to Lord.

Richard says it was a mistake for Pothier to quit after giving reporters a letter containing personal information about a man in the Neguac area last spring.

Richard says Pothier made an honest mistake. "I know it's convenient in a sense, convenient for him to resign, take responsibility and resign. It took the pressure off his masters and that may be noble for him to do that. In my view it's really not required by my interpretation of how this act works."

Richard says Pothier's case is different from that of former cabinet minister Brenda Fowlie, who deliberately released personal information about a political opponent a year earlier.

But even if Pothier wanted to go back to work in the premier's office, there's no job to go back to. Lord leaves office Oct. 3, when the new Liberal government is sworn in.

Liberals made initial complaint

It was the Liberals who first complained to the ombudsman about Pothier's actions.

Liberal MLA Kelly Lamrock says his party accepts Richard's conclusions – and bears no ill will towards Pothier. "I'm somewhat glad that Mr. Pothier, to some extent, has had his name vindicated. I think he was a good soldier and I think it's a good thing the record will probably show that that's all he was. I hope he can move on and it's for those of us who ascend to higher positions, and those in our civil service, deputy ministers, to learn from the report."

Richard's report recommends that deputy ministers put in place clear guidelines about handling letters to ministers that contain personal information. He says civil servants understand the rules but it appears political staffers may not.

The ombudsman's investigation began as a result of an incident last May, when Lord referred to a January 2005 letter in the provincial legislature.

The letter was addressed to Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud and written by Liberal MLA Carmel Robichaud, on behalf of a constituent who had been convicted of drunk driving, but wanted a permit to drive to and from work.

Letter referred to by Lord

Lord referred to the letter after the Liberal opposition raised questions about Tory supporters trying to influence the government on a Shediac development project.

Lord offered to table the letter in the house, suggesting Liberal MLAs were using their influence to help drunk drivers get back behind the wheel.

Outside of the chambers, Pothier handed copies of the letter to reporters without blacking the individual's name out. He apologized, saying he regretted that decision and was personally responsible for making the letter public. He then resigned.

In his report, Richard said Lord and Robichaud did not violate the province's privacy law by discussing the letter in the legislature.

Richard said they were protected by the rules of parliamentary privilege when they produced the letter during a heated and partisan debate in the legislature.