EDMONTON, AB (December 8, 2011): Transportation Minister Ray Danyluk must prove that his PC constituency association has returned nearly $4,000 it received in illegal contributions and Premier Alison Redford must assure Albertans her party has stopped soliciting these types of donations, the Wildrose Caucus said today.

As reported in the St. Paul Journal, the local PC association accepted $3,775 in political contributions from the Town of St. Paul between 2005 and 2011. Under the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, it is illegal for political parties to solicit contributions from organizations like municipalities.

During question period yesterday, in response to questions from Wildrose MLA Rob Anderson, Danyluk – the MLA for Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills – told the Legislature he was assured that “all contributions that were made illegally were returned.”

Today, Anderson sent a letter to Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer Brian Fjeldheim asking him to look into Danyluk’s claims.

“These donations were solicited and obtained illegally, they must be returned to the taxpayers of St. Paul immediately,” Anderson said. “It’s time for the PC party to start playing by the rules that everybody else does.”

Redford blames municipalities for accepting illegal contributions even though it is illegal for political parties to solicit them. As reported today, several organizations prohibited from making political contributions have said they were asked to do so by Redford’s PCs.

“Ms. Redford is simply out of excuses now,” Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said. “She can no longer blame municipalities for giving into illegal solicitations from her own party. It’s now up to her to direct the PC party to stop asking these organizations to contribute and return any donations her party has accepted from them.”

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: 780-904-4913