Elections Alberta moves forward in reviewing allegations of prohibited contributions

Elections Alberta is continuing to review allegations that political parties and constituency associations received contributions from prohibited corporations. A news release issued earlier this month outlined the process that is underway and provided the public with insight into the scope of this review.

“Sufficient information has been received to allow for the detailed review and careful consideration of thirty-two files to date,” said O. Brian Fjeldheim, Chief Electoral Officer.&nbsp “I am very pleased with the cooperation shown by stakeholders throughout this process. In fact, about half of the files we have opened thus far result from voluntary disclosures by prohibited corporations, in response to the communications provided by this Office.” In total, 73 files have been opened since Elections Alberta began its review.


To date:

• 15 files have advanced to the administrative penalty stage in cases where the allegations, or voluntary disclosures, are sufficiently well founded to support the application of an administrative penalty to a prohibited corporation.  Of these, 8 files contained prohibited contributions received after April 22, 2010: in these cases, the political entities will be ordered to return the full contribution amount to the prohibited corporations
• 9 files have been closed because the financial records demonstrate that no prohibited contributions were made
• 8 files have been closed in cases where the allegations were partly well founded: both contributors and recipients will be censured and required to institute appropriate procedures to avoid recurrence
• The files reviewed to date will not be referred for prosecution due to immateriality and expiry of the time limit for prosecution (within 3 years of the alleged offence). “I am satisfied that the remedies being applied are consistent with the law and appropriate to the situation,” said the Chief Electoral Officer.

Political entities in receipt of prohibited contributions on or before April 22, 2010 will be advised of the outcome of the review and advised that they may wish to return the prohibited contributions voluntarily. It is important to note that political entities are currently required to retain records for a three-year period, and were subject to a two-year retention period prior to April 22, 2010.

Elections Alberta will continue to gather the necessary documentation to determine whether allegations are substantiated and will assess all files in a fair, equitable and consistent manner. The Chief Electoral Officer will continue to provide updates on the status of this review within the confidentiality provisions of the law.

Elections Alberta is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly that provides non-political administration of the electoral process.