Name the constituencies and tell us how much, demands Alberta Liberal caucus
Edmonton – Official Opposition Finance Critic Hugh MacDonald is demanding the government reveals the names of the 10 Progressive Conservative constituency associations that Elections Alberta is now investigating over claims they received illegal donations.
“What is this government party hiding? Which PC constituencies accepted these potentially illegal donations and what is the value of these donations?” MacDonald asks.
Elections Alberta is responsible for ensuring all political parties follow the Elections Act. It is illegal for any organization that receives provincial or federal funds to make political contributions. Currently, officers at Elections Alberta need permission from the Ministry of Justice to prosecute anyone for breaching the Act.
Lorne Gibson, Alberta’s former Chief Electoral Officer, made key recommendations that would have given Elections Alberta stronger investigative powers, MacDonald says.
“The Chief Electoral Officer made excellent recommendations to strengthen our laws and he was shown the door for his efforts,” MacDonald says.
The Alberta Liberals have documented 19 cases where the PC Party has solicited or received political donations from municipalities in recent years. The Alberta Liberals will make all 19 cases available for investigation.
“The reason the government ignored Mr. Gibson’s sound recommendations was so it could continue with the age old political practice of accepting donations from taxpayer funded organizations,” MacDonald says.
“This is a deceptive practice that must stop before the next provincial election.”
Recommendations by Gibson included the following:
• Providing the Chief Electoral Officer with investigative powers under the Election Act
• Extending the time limit on prosecutions so they may commence up to one year following the date on which the CEO believes the offense has occurred
• Requiring parties and candidates to retain records related to campaigns and annual activities for five years
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For more information contact:
Hugh MacDonald, MLA
Edmonton-Gold Bar
(780) 914-5270