
The Opposition NDP says it’s racing the clock in an attempt to prevent the government from terminating Alberta’s election commissioner — a move that could happen within days.
The United Conservative Party government countered Wednesday there’s no panic to pass Bill 22, which would fire the watchdog who has levied more than $211,000 in fines against people affiliated with the UCP for breaking election financing rules.
The commissioner’s office won’t say if it has any other open investigations into potential violations in the controversial 2017 UCP leadership race.
On Wednesday, Opposition Leader Rachel Notley asked the province’s ethics commissioner to step in and declare all UCP MLAs in conflict of interest and require they abstain from voting on Bill 22.
“Every single member of the governing party has something to gain from having this investigation quashed or brushed aside,” Notley said.
The bill would see current election commissioner Lorne Gibson fired and his staff transferred to the office of Alberta’s chief electoral officer. The officer would hire a new commissioner, who would report to him, but there’s no guarantee any of Gibson’s investigations into suspected elections chicanery would continue.
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See Also:
(1) A letter that should not exist: On Notley’s obnoxious viceregal fantasy
(2) Alberta Review Board chair resigns citing ‘critical’ lack of government, minister support
(3) ‘Something has to give’: Alberta justice system braces for budget cuts
(4) Watch: Alberta government introduces Farm Freedom and Safety Act
(5) Alberta government union leadership has lost touch with reality