Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill has been found violation of the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act in connection to his association with Fortress Windows and Doors.

In a ruling from Conflict of Interest Commissioner Maurice Herauf issued this week, it was found Cockrill violated s.15(5) of the Act through his involvement with Fortress Windows and Doors from June 23, 2021 to December 14, 2021.

In his ruling Herauf stated Cockrill “has an interest” in Fortress within the meaning on a.15(3) of the Act due to Fortress being owned by his in-laws, and that he has participated in government contracts Fortress had with Battlefords Housing Authority and SaskTel. He also determined Cockrill did not come into compliance in the 90-day time period from March 22, 2021 to June 22, 2021.

Herauf also recommended that the only penalty imposed on Cockrill be a reprimand. He pointed out that Cockrill acted appropriately and sought the advice of his office on disclosure, but no specific advice was sought or provided to him respecting his continued employment at Fortress. Herauf also pointed out that he did not consider Cockrill’s breach of the Act to have been intentional or deliberate.

In a separate ruling Herauf did not find Cockrill in violation over shares he held in Helium Evolution or Royal Helium.