PC Party Benefit Plan Trust (November 29)
Mr. MacDonald: Thank you. Yesterday the Minister of Justice failed to answer questions around the PC Party benefit plan trust, which has been listed for the last four years in the member’s disclosure statements pursuant to the Conflicts of Interest Act.
The minister yesterday could not answer, and the president of the PC Party would not answer.
To the Minister of Justice: again, what is the value of the PC Party benefit plan trust?
Mr. Olson: Mr. Speaker, that’s not information within my purview as Minister of Justice.
Mr. MacDonald: I disagree. It certainly is.
Again to the same minister: given that taxpayers are subsidizing the PC Party benefit plan trust, what is the amount of money provided by taxpayers to subsidize this trust?
Mr. Olson: Mr. Speaker, I am responsible for the legislation. I am not responsible for the operation or administration of this act. If the member has questions, he can ask the Chief Electoral Officer, or he can ask the Conservative Party. It’s not information within my purview.
Mr. MacDonald: Unbelievable.
Now, again to the same minister: will the minister ask the president of the PC Party, the association, to release all the details of this benefit plan trust, and why is it necessary in the first place?
Mr. Olson: Mr. Speaker, I’m not about to be doing the hon. member’s work for him.
The Speaker: Government House Leader, we have a point of order? Okay.
Third Official Opposition main question. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar.
Mr. MacDonald: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. True Blue Alberta was incorporated to be the legal vehicle for fundraising and for the payment of expenses relating to the leadership campaign of the former Premier. It had no other purpose. True Blue Alberta was investigated in 2007 under the Conflicts of Interest Act.
Again to the Minister of Justice: given that True Blue Alberta had no other purpose, why did it pay taxable allowances, over $5,000, to the former Premier and his spouse years after the leadership race was over?
Mr. Olson: Again, a common theme, Mr. Speaker. I am also responsible for the Conflicts of Interest Act, but I do not administer or operate everything that happens under the Conflicts of Interest Act. If he’s got questions, he can talk to the Ethics Commissioner.
Mr. MacDonald: Again, that’s unbelievable, sir, because you are responsible under the Government Organization Act for the Conflicts of Interest Act and the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act. Why will you not exercise the authority under your office?
Mr. Olson: I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear the question over all the yelling.
Mr. MacDonald: Again, Mr. Speaker, to the same minister, and I will speak slowly so, hopefully, he can understand. Why was it necessary to pay the former Premier and his spouse the taxable allowances from True Blue Alberta at the same time the PC Party set up a benefit trust fund?
Mr. Olson: Mr. Speaker, this organization I have no responsibility for, I have no information about them, and if he wants, he can ask them.
Alberta Hansard, November 29, 2011