Public inquiry and code of conduct complaint into Steve Norn cost N.W.T. taxpayers more than $800,000

An inquiry into whether Steve Norn broke his code of conduct as an MLA cost N.W.T.taxpayers almost $805,000.

Nicole Bonnell, spokesperson for the NWT Legislative Assembly, provided CBC News with a summary of invoices on Friday afternoon.The largest expense was a payment toMaurice LaPrairie, counsel to the sole adjudicator, of$499,911.

Ronald L. Barclay, the sole adjudicator, earned$127,467 while Steven Cooper, the lawyer who represented Norn, earned $105,875.

Hearings unfolded over the course of nine days, but the entire inquiry took more than a month becauseCOVID-19 was detected at the Legislature which led to a delay in the proceedings.

Approximately $21,000 was spenton each the law clerk and the interpretation services, while the integrity commissioner who investigated the complaint against Norn and called for the public inquiry made just under $12,000.

The remaining fees approximately $17,000 wereoperational costs for the video and audio services, for staff overtime and for the court reporter.

Norn was removed from his seat as MLA for Tu Nedh-Wiilideh in the Legislative Assembly last month, followingrecommendations from Barclay'sreportthat he be expelled. Nornis the first MLA in the N.W.T. to lose his seat at the hands of his colleagues.