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By The Canadian Press
Elections Watchdog Firing

Opposition calls for new review over election watchdog firing

Dec 12, 2019 | 8:19 AM

EDMONTON – The Opposition NDP is renewing its bid for an ethics probe into the firing of Alberta’s elections watchdog who had been investigating Premier Jason Kenney’s party.

N-D-P Leader Rachel Notley says there is now more material to show Ethics Commissioner Marguerite Trussler that the United Conservative caucus was in a conflict of interest when it voted last month to fire election commissioner Lorne Gibson.

The bill to fire Gibson was passed in just four days while Kenney was on a trade mission in Texas.

The NDP made a hurried application at that time for Trussler to intervene.

Trussler said then there may be some conflict at first glance, but she would need more time to investigate.

The government says the firing of Gibson was not done to stop his investigation but rather for financial efficiency.

Gibson’s job is now back under the purview of Chief Electoral Officer Glen Resler, and Resler says all investigations are continuing.

(The Canadian Press)

by The Canadian Press