Transport minister accused of conflict of interest

A new set of traffic lights planned for Cornwall, P.E.I., has led to accusations of conflict of interest against the minister of transportation.

Progressive Conservative MLA Mike Currie said the new lights will increase the value of adjacent property owned by Transportation Minister Ron MacKinley.

"Once you put a set of lights in you open up that tract of land, and I think it's been changed for comprehensive development, so that really enhances the value of the property from farmland to subdivision properties," Currie told the media outside the legislature Tuesday.

"I feel there's definitely a conflict."

Currie filed the complaint, with his affidavit, with the speaker of the house on Tuesday afternoon. That complaint will be passed on to the conflict of interest commissioner.

Currie said the Cornwall area MLA should have recused himself from discussions over the new lighted intersection on the Trans-Canada Highway. The lights will be located at the entrance to the Cornwall Business Park. Land on the other side of the road is owned by MacKinley.

"You're paid a handsome figure to be a cabinet minister, and you're not to participate or do anything to enhance your own personal gain," said Currie.

Speaking to CBC New Wednesday morning, MacKinley defended his work on the file, saying pushing for the lights is part of his job as an MLA.

"I've been pushing for years to have these lights installed. I'm also pushing for all safety things across the province under my new job as minister of transportation and public works," he said.

"It's pretty hard to go anywhere in Cornwall where you'll find myself, the MacKinleys, don't own land."

MacKinley said the mayor of Cornwall and business owners wanted the lights to make the entrance to the business park safer.