No Conflict of Interest

Nova Scotia's Conflict of Interest Commissioner has ruled that a situation involving a staff member at the Office of Immigration was not a conflict of interest.

Commissioner Merlin Nunn's ruling was based on an independent investigation by an auditing firm launched in October after senior officials with the office identified a potential conflict of interest involving an employee and one file.

"This ruling clears the air on a matter that we take very seriously," said Immigration Minister Len Goucher. "Staff at the Office of Immigration are working very hard to attract immigrants to Nova Scotia and to help them succeed when they arrive. I look forward to getting back to that vital job."

The office is implementing a recommendation in the ruling to help prevent a potential conflict of interest situation in the future by placing a stronger emphasis on employees to reveal any potential conflict issues.

The independent investigation was conducted by the auditing firm Dunphy and Associates.