News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Butler demands release of information concerning watch received in Qatar

November 21, 2005

"The people of the province have a right to know what the former Minister did with this watch when he left the department," said Butler. "It was inappropriate for the Minister to accept the gift in the first place and he later committed to leave it with the department when he left. After being shuffled to the Department of Tourism, Culture & Recreation for his mishandling of the issue, it is now time for the Minister to disclose what happened to the watch.

"If Mr. Hedderson did leave the watch with the department, I fully expect the new Minister to have it appraised and determine what action will be taken, hopefully donate it to charity. In the House of Assembly today, I requested that the Minister have an independent appraisal conducted and the findings tabled in the House for the public record. The new Minister laughed at my question, but I want her to know that we are serious about this request and government has an obligation to ensure that it is accountable to the public. If Minister Hedderson took the watch with him as it appeared during question period, he must explain why he misled the people by promising to leave it with the department.

"There seems to be a double standard with respect to government Ministers and employees accepting gifts. I think the Premier has an obligation to set the record straight and state whether or not he feels it is appropriate for Ministers to accept gifts in this manner. We treat this as a very serious issue that requires attention from the new Minister of Education. Minister Burke must disclose the location of the watch, determine its value and tell the people of the province what she intends to do with it."

Media Contact:
Jeff Mackey
Caucus Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6427