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ALBERTA
LEGISLATURE OFFICE
Edmonton, Alberta
TSK 1E7
access selling event that former Commissioner Don Hamilton took a dim view of
in his report of May 11th 2007. In particular, the fact that this event was unadvertised and only available to potential contributors by special invitation makes
it more unseemly, in that it appears that special non-public access to the Premier
can be purchased for $1000. Such an activity damages the integrity and
impartiality of the Premier's office.
The second issue I wish to bring to your attention is more serious. It also goes to
the issue of integrity and impartiality of the Premier's office, but also raises
doubts about the effectiveness of the provincial ban on corporate donations.
Last week the Premier made a private trip to Toronto. I say private in the sense
that it was not on the government itinerary and was not made public to Albertans.
While she was in Toronto, the Ontario NOP party organized an exclusive
fundraising dinner with Ontario NOP Leader Andrea Horwath and Premier Notley.
The dinner was marketed to Ontario companies with significant commercial
interests in Alberta. The cost of a seat at this exclusive dinner was $9975 a
person. An order form for a ticket is attached.
The Premier's office confirms this event took place, but is referring questions to
the Ontario NOP party, who are declining to say who attended.
Our concern is that it is inappropriate for the Premier of Alberta to leave the
province and solicit donations from corporations that are prohibited from making
political contributions in Alberta. It creates very serious issues of partiality, and
seems to undermine the legislation that was passed last year banning the
solicitation of corporate funds.
Getting a meeting with the Premier is very difficult, but now it appears that
Alberta companies who cannot donate to the NOP in Alberta can pay $9975 in
Ontario to get that special face-to-face interaction.
This issue is made somewhat more problematic because of how the New
Democratic Party is structured, because there is only one New Democratic Party
entity, with provincial wings - corporately the entire NOP is only one entity. This
raises the issues of internal transfers in either money or, more likely, in-kind
considerations that would allow the Alberta NOP to skirt Alberta law.
LEGISLATURE OFFICE
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 1E7
We ask that you provide some clear guidance on this event because we believe
it is neither the first nor last instance of these out-of-province fund raisers for the
Premier and the other wings of the federal NDP party.
It is possible that you may find that the Conflicts of Interest Act does not envision
in its clauses the need to explicitly prohibit this type of behaviour. If that is the
case, I would request that your office make recommendations on how to
strengthen the act to prevent this type of conflict. This is particularly relevant to
Wildrose Caucus because the Select Special Ethics and Accountability
Committee will soon be studying the Conflicts of Interest Act.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and do not hesitate to let me know if
you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Jason Nixon,
MLA Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre
Wildrose Shadow Minister for Democracy and Accountability
Member of the Select Special Ethics and Accountability Committee
Cc: Glenn Resler, Chief Electoral Officer for Alberta.
LEGISLATURE OFFICE
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 1E7
Name:
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Organization:
-----------------------Address:
------------------------City: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Postal Code: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Email:
Cheque D
VISA D
Mastercard
Amount: $9975
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ONTARIO
101 Richmond St. E. Toronto ON, MSC 1N9 I PHONE' 416S918637 I FAX' 416S994820
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