[morgin]

Married for six years, 20+ years ago. Friends now. Unknown (but unlikely) if there are spousal payments.

You are all extremely crazy if you think that personal relationships don't or shouldn't have an impact on who you hire when there is no direct conflict of interest.

Do you think major companies hire law firms based on raw data about the firms alone? No, they do not. All things being equal, most major national firms have similar strengths and weaknesses, and regionals have different strengths and weaknesses. The reason certain firms get work from the top companies in Calgary over others is entirely down to individual lawyer reputations + personal relationships between decision makers.

JSS is an extremely well regarded regional firm. Shouldn't our government try to work all the relationships they can to get the best deal for the province? Why does Redford having a previous relationship 20+ years ago with a partner there, and now being friends, automatically mean someone is illegally or unfairly profiting? What if it means that there will be a better working relationship, less money billed to the government for the file due to a better working relationship, etc?

There is no legal conflict of interest. If someone comes up with evidence showing we got a raw deal due to this decision, then I will be appropriately upset. The memo says all choices were equal. Other factors to make that decision, including existing relationships, SHOULD COME INTO PLAY. Conflict of interest rules exist to limit rewarding those relationships when there is a true conflict. She is outside the scope of those rules. If you want conflict of interest to include "never make a decision where someone you know could theoretically profit" (and unless you want a hermit for a premier, she's going to know a lot of people in the legal community given her history) then lobby to have the rules changed. Rational people who understand the importance of professional relationships in decision making will mock you, however.

Until such time that someone can show an actual conflict of interest, let the government operate like the sophisticated entity it should be (and mimic how business is done) instead of looking for issues where there aren't any yet.