Kenney relieves minister of duties over call to police

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has relieved Justice Minister Kaycee Madu of his duties after it came to light that Madu called Edmonton’s police chief about a traffic ticket.

Kenney says while all parties agree Madu never asked Chief Dale McFee to cancel the ticket last March, there’s a bigger issue at play.

“It’s essential the independent administration of justice is maintained,” Kenney said in an announcement on Twitter Monday.

“That’s why I will appoint a respected independent investigator to review the relevant facts and to determine whether there was interference in the administration of justice in this case.”

“In the interim period, I have asked Minister Madu to step back from his ministerial duties.”

Kenney said Energy Minster Sonya Savage will handle Madu’s justice portfolio in the meantime. The premier said he spoke with Madu earlier in the day after the traffic ticket and phone call were reported by CBC. The CBC story said Madu was given a $300 ticket for distracted driving while using a cellphone in a school zone in March of last year, and that he called McFee soon after.

Kenney said he conveyed to Madu his “profound disappointment” in his decision to call the police chief after getting the ticket.

About 90 minutes prior to Kenney’s announcement, Madu issued a statement of his own.

Madu, who is Black, said he phoned McFee after he received the ticket but only to seek assurances that he was not being racially profiled or singled out for surveillance given his political position.

“At no point did I request that the ticket be rescinded. I would never do that. However, in that particular call, I regret raising the issue at all with Chief McFee,” Madu said.