| Wildrose Calls on Elections Alberta to Investigate Alleged Illegal PC Government Fundraising |
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EDMONTON, AB (October 14, 2011): Today the Wildrose Caucus sent a letter calling on the Chief Electoral Officer to investigate allegations of illegal contributions to the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta.
It is illegal under the Elections Finances and Disclosures Act Section 16 as defined by Section 1(l)(2) for public funds to be used to finance partisan politics.
Recent news reports have found that the town of St. Paul allegedly used municipal dollars to support a PCAA fundraising golf tournament for local MLA Ray Danyluk, who is now Transportation Minister. Wildrose research revealed this isn’t the only instance. For example, in September 2009 Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA, Broyce Jacobs, sent a letter thanking the town of Cardston for donating up to a potential $5,000.00 or more in waived green fees for former Premier Ed Stelmach’s golf tournament.
“The current government has created an environment where municipalities feel pressured to break the law in order to curry favors from the provincial government,” Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said. “After 40 years in power this government believes that the rules don’t apply to them - but they do.”
Paul Hinman, Wildrose Municipal Affairs Critic, is calling for a restoration of public funds received by the PC MLAs back to the municipalities where they were generated.
“For several years the current government has been sending the message that you need to support us or your funding could be cut off and this needs to stop,” Hinman said. “Municipalities need a stable funding formula so they are not beholden to a political slush fund for municipal funding.”
The Wildrose Caucus released their Municipal Affairs policy on October 21, 2010. Among other substantive policies that comprise the Wildrose “Green Book”, the Municipal Affairs policy can be viewed here.
More examples of local tax municipalities being pressured by the current government and PC MLAs can be found below:
http://www.smokylake.ca/download/uploads/documents/0000/2183/August_12-09_Minutes.pdf http://www.county.stpaul.ab.ca/download/uploads/documents/0000/0013/CouncilMinutesJuly172007.pdf http://www.tofieldalberta.ca/attachments/view/106/minutes_20110524.pdf http://www.hardisty.ca/council/pdf/Minutes05-14-08.pdf http://www.county.stpaul.ab.ca/download/uploads/documents/0000/1528/May_12.pdf http://www.townlife.com/uploads/documents/0000/0516/June_17.pdf
The Wildrose Caucus stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedom and democracy.
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For further information or to arrange an interview, media are invited to contact:
Evan Menzies Communications Assistant, Wildrose Caucus
Ph: 780-638-4655 |