Saskatchewan Devine Tory MLAs & sad story of Jack Wolfe CBC

Broadcast Date: Feb. 8, 1999

more information in this Maclean's November 18, 1996 article:

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM00...

Opinionated Radio Jock John Gormley is an ex-Tory MP elected in 1984 & not re-elected in 1988. After being defeated was paid alot of money from the Saskatchewan Tory Government for a questionable amount of work while he was studying Law at the University of Saskatchewan. Read more in the following article...

The following Canadian Press article appeared in the Regina Leader-Post - after the defeat of the Conservative Devine government and the findings of the Gass Commission inquiry:
"The defeated conservative MP was paid $1000.00 a month by the Grant Devine government as a "public relations consultant" while he was a full-time student at law school.

John Gormley was paid by the Saskatchewan Liquor Board during the first year of his three years at law school, according to a contract obtained by the Canadian Press.

The contract was signed in September 1989 under the administration of Devine.

Gormley, now 34* (*this was in 1992) represented the northern Saskatchewan riding of Battlefords-Meadow Lake for one term before being defeated in the 1988 federal election by New Democrat Len Taylor.

Less than two months after the election, Gormley signed a contract with the provincial government that paid him $5000.00 a month for unspecified services for the since-disbanded Department of Public Participation.

In the fall of 1989, Gormley signed on as a public relations consultant for the Provincial Liquor Board at a salary of $1000.00 a month, with an additional $175.00 and expenses for each day he actually worked for the Crown board.

At the same time, John was a full time student at the University of Saskatchewan's school of law. He cancelled the contract in April 1990.

All told, the radio journalist may have been paid up to $48,000.00 by the PC government.

Gormley, who graduated from law school last month (June '92) confirmed the terms of both contracts in an interview.

"I did a retainer arrangement where I did public relations work with the (liquor) board itself." he said. " I was doing communications consulting work as a former broadcaster."

Gormley said his political connections likely helped him get the liquor board contract.

"I was somebody with a relatively high profile in the province. The fact that I was a former Tory MP, I'm sure had some effect on the government.

Gormley said he did a number of public relations jobs for the liquor board during his month contract, but would not say how many hours he worked.

"I can't comment on that." he said.

Liquor board spokesman Holly Alexander said there is no record of what Gormley did during the period covered by the contract.

"There's nothing on file to indicate exactly what Mr. Gormley did for the liquor board," she said. "At this point, we just don't know."
Chris Wattie
The Canadian Press
(Regina Leaderpost: June 27, 1992)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Saskatchewan legislature

[thebigstir]

CRIMINALS