Ethics investigation clears Kenney but issues caution
Commissioner finds fundraising pitch not prohibited, but still inappropriate
Alberta’s ethics commissioner has cleared Premier Jason Kenney in a conflict of interest investigation over a fundraising letter, but says whether or not it was ethical is beyond her purview.
Commissioner Marguerite Trussler’s investigation, released Tuesday morning, stemmed from a fundraising letter penned by the UCP, asking for cash to cover the party’s outstanding campaign debt of $340,000. It was signed “Premier Jason Kenney.”
Heather Sweet, NDP ethics and democracy critic, complained the UCP cannot use Kenney’s position as premier to fundraise.
Trussler said in her ruling that the Conflict of Interest Act, which governs her work, only deals with making sure no MLA or their direct associate obtains a financial benefit through things like insider knowledge, influence and inappropriate gifts.
“(It) does not deal with moral integrity,” Trussler wrote.
As such, she found it was not within her realm to decide whether signing a fundraising letter as premier “offends the dictionary or generally held view of the meaning of ethical, or is appropriate practice.”
However, she cautioned that Kenney using his title to solicit party donations should be avoided because it’s not considered appropriate — even if it’s not specifically prohibited.
Sweet said in a statement she respected the ruling.
“It’s clear the commissioner is not a fan of the premier using his office to raise money for his party
The commissioner ... doesn’t have strong enough legislation to rule in favour of a contravention.
but doesn’t have strong enough legislation to rule in favour of a contravention,” Sweet said.
“I call on the UCP to do the right thing and strike a bipartisan committee to review the Conflict of Interest Act and ensure this doesn’t happen again.”