Federal Treasury Board president John Baird said yesterday he will review a decision by his predecessor to cover part of the legal fees of a top aide to former prime minister Jean Chrétien -- but it appears the offer will stand.
Liberal treasury board president Reg Alcock offered to pay up to $40,000 in legal fees to Jean Pelletier, the former chief of staff to Mr. Chrétien, who is challenging in Federal Court the findings of Mr. Justice John Gomery.
Judge Gomery chaired a public inquiry into the federal sponsorship program.
Mr. Alcock made the offer in a letter dated Jan. 23, the day of the federal election.
"There's a long-standing policy in government that high-ranking functionaries who are involved in judicial proceedings have the right to have their legal fees covered," Mr. Pelletier's lawyer, Guy Pratte, said in an interview.
Tu Thanh Ha