Pubdate: Mon, 19 Apr 2010
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2010 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: James Wood, The StarPhoenix

PREMIER MULLS LECLERC'S FUTURE

Wall To Outline 'fFrther Steps'

Premier Brad Wall will outline today "further steps" the Saskatchewan
Party government has taken to deal with the situation of Serge
LeClerc, the Saskatoon Northwest MLA who on Friday removed himself
from caucus over allegations of recent drug use, says a top official
in the premier's office.

But Reg Downs, senior adviser to Wall, declined to say what those
actions entail.

Last Friday saw the detonation of a political bombshell that is
expected to dominate debate in the legislative assembly this week.

LeClerc said in a statement that he left the caucus to "clear his
name" after CBC received a package of information alleging cocaine and
marijuana use by the MLA. The package included transcripts from an
Internet chat room and a recording of a phone conversation where a
person who sounds like LeClerc discusses drug use and a sexual
encounter with a man.

LeClerc -- who speaks regularly on and has written a book about
overcoming his past as a career criminal and drug addict -- vehemently
denied to the CBC that it was him, calling the allegations a "smear
job" and saying he had not done drugs for decades and did not partake
in "illicit homosexual sex."

He has volunteered to take a drug test and has asked for CBC to
provide him the recording so it can be turned over to the police for
analysis. LeClerc told CBC he no longer has his personal laptop
computer for the hard drive to be checked.

Downs said Sunday he was limited in what he could comment on, but he
did say the government was not aware of the allegations before CBC
brought them forward to LeClerc on Friday.

"We have never heard anything of that nature before," said
Downs.

LeClerc had been speaking at a school in Wall's Swift Current
constituency Friday morning.

Downs also said there has been no complaint made by anyone against
LeClerc under the Saskatchewan Party's code of ethics for its members.

Nevertheless, the situation remains a potentially large political
headache for Wall and the government.

NDP justice critic Frank Quennell, who is the Opposition's
spokesperson on the LeClerc issue, was not made available for comment
Sunday.

On Friday though, Quennell called on Wall to conduct his own
investigation into the allegations, noting there are serious issues
being raised about the conduct of an MLA aside from the issues of
potential criminality.

An official with the Opposition caucus, speaking on background during
the weekend, did say the NDP will be raising questions about LeClerc's
case today, including asking Wall to clarify his status within caucus
and whether government resources will be used as LeClerc attempts to
clear his name.

While LeClerc has described his personal story as a transformation
from "lawbreaker to lawmaker," he has been under fire from the
Opposition in recent weeks.

At the beginning of April, NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter said LeClerc
had given him the finger in the legislative assembly and had
threatened him during a loud confrontation in the rotunda in November.
LeClerc denied both accusations.

The NDP has also raised questions over how LeClerc has represented the
pardon he received in 2000 as "unprecedented."

LeClerc has described his past self as a violent gang leader, drug
dealer and drug addict who turned his life around after becoming a
Christian while incarcerated.

After years in and out of prison, he was released in 1988 and embarked
on a career of charitable work and motivational speaking.

LeClerc will now sit as an independent MLA. He will also be removed
this week by cabinet from his unpaid duties as legislative secretary
to the Corrections Minister and his committee duties.

It is uncertain whether he will be in attendance at the legislature
today.

A CBC official said Friday a decision would be made this week over
whether it will turn the recording over to LeClerc or the government. 
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