Call for ethics investigation; Alberta under fire bans

The official Opposition wants an ethics investigation into the government’s re-hire of John Heaney, the premier’s former chief of staff.

United Conservative Party accountability and democracy critic Nathan Cooper wrote to the ethics commissioner Friday, raising concerns that Heaney, who is bound by an Alberta government code of conduct, is also a registered lobbyist in British Columbia.

The code says government employees can’t engage in “any business or undertaking other than his or her employment with the government” without an exemption. Cooper argues that, as a registered lobbyist in another province, Heaney is in violation of that code.

Cheryl Oates, the premier’s communications director, said Friday Heaney has an exemption for the work he’s doing outside of government.

Heaney is also under investigation by Alberta’s privacy commissioner over what Cooper has labelled “political interference” in freedom of information requests.

FIRE BANS

Many parts of northern Alberta are currently under a fire ban that prohibits campfires and the recreational use of off-highway vehicles on public lands. The ban begins at the southern boundary of Big Lakes County and continues north of Peace River and Lac La Biche.

The use of off-highway vehicles is banned on public lands due to the high wildfire risk, although they’re still permitted on private lands or for essential purposes such as emergency responders.

People breaking a fire ban can be hit with a $287 fine.