United Conservatives appoint retired judge to investigate alleged ballot stuffing

The United Conservative Party has appointed a retired judge to investigate after a Calgary constituency association meeting dissolved into chaos on the weekend.

Allegations of ballot stuffing and improper handling of votes at the founding annual general meeting of the UCP’s Calgary-North East constituency association have been circulating online.

A video of the event posted online shows shouting and arguments among party members at the meeting.

UCP executive director Janice Harrington said in a statement that party officials immediately suspended the meeting when potential irregularities came to light.

She said retired judge Ted Carruthers, who served as president of the Progressive Conservative party before his appointment to the bench in the 1990s, has been engaged to conduct an independent review.

“When serious, credible allegations are raised, they will be investigated,” Harrington said in an email.

The event in Calgary-North East followed a tumultuous contest for the UCP nomination in Chestermere-Strathmore, where sitting MLA Leela Aheer was acclaimed after other potential candidates declined to enter the race.

One potential candidate in that race, David Campbell, alleged misconduct and accused the party of bias in favour of Aheer. He was forcibly ejected from the founding AGM of the Chestermere-Strathmore riding association last month.

UCP Leader Jason Kenney was not available for comment Wednesday.

Calgary-West MLA Mike Ellis noted that for the UCP, unlike other parties, contested nominations are the order of the day.

That plays a role in the intense feelings at play in local races, he said.

“In regards to the negative allegations … all I know would be pure speculation. I can tell you that we as United Conservatives do not agree with bullying, intimidation. We do not agree with any form of underhanded type of behaviour,” he said Wednesday.

“From my understanding, there’s going to be an investigation. I think we have to allow that investigation to play out. If the allegations turn out to be true, then I hope appropriate action is taken and it’s dealt with swiftly.”