Alberta justice minister to 'step back' from duties during conduct review after traffic ticket: Kenney
Premier Jason Kenney has asked Alberta's justice minister to "step back" from his ministerial duties until an independent review into his conduct following a distracted-driving ticket he received in 2021 is completed.
Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu called Edmonton's police chief to discuss a distracted-driving ticket he received, the Edmonton Police Service confirmed to CTV News.
Madu, the MLA for Edmonton-South West, was pulled over and fined on March 10, 2021, police said.
"Minister Madu had concerns about the context of the traffic stop," EPS spokesperson Cheryl Sheppard told CTV News in an email.
Sheppard added Madu did not ask Chief Dale McFee to rescind the ticket.
"The ticket remains valid and was issued correctly."
'I REGRET RAISING THE ISSUE'
In a statement, Madu said he was pulled over after leaving his home and that he ultimately regrets calling the police chief after the ticket had been issued.
"The officer indicated that he had observed me driving while distracted, alleging that I was on my phone," the justice minister said. "I disagreed, stating that I was not on my phone, as it was in an inside pocket.
"Later, I spoke to Chief Dale McFee," Madu added. "Due to the timing of the incident, I wanted to ensure that I was not being unlawfully surveilled following the controversy surrounding the Lethbridge Police Service. I also raised concerns around profiling of racial minorities that was in the media at the time."
At that time, a review into Lethbridge police conduct in 2017 was being prepared after reports of unlawful surveillance of NDP MLA Shannon Phillips, the then environment minister.
According to Madu, McFee assured him that this was "most definitely" not the case.
"To be abundantly clear, at no point did I request that the ticket be rescinded. I would never do that," Madu said.
"However, in that particular call, I regret raising the issue at all with the Chief McFee," he added. "I paid the ticket fully and promptly. I have the utmost respect for our men and women in uniform, and for the invaluable, often thankless role they perform."
- Lethbridge Police Commission rejects request for public inquiry
- Lawyer wants officer dismissed for tracking Alberta minister in 2017
'PROFOUND DISAPPOINTMENT'
Kenney announced the independent investigation and that Madu would be stepping away from his ministerial duties on Twitter Monday evening.
The premier said he spoke with Madu and conveyed his "profound disappointment" over contacting the police chief after being issued the ticket.
"Minister Madu told me that he did not ask to have the ticket rescinded, nor was it his intention to interfere in the case, and that he promptly paid the ticket," Kenney said. "Nevertheless, it's essential the independent administration of justice is maintained.
"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."
Energy Minister Sonya Savage will act as the justice minister and solicitor general during Madu's leave of absence, Kenney said.
"Details about the independent review will be made public in the near future," he added.
'WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE'
The Alberta NDP called on Madu to resign.
"It is wholly unacceptable for the Attorney General to engage with senior law enforcement regarding a penalty levied against him," MLA Irfan Sabir said in a news release from the party.
“Regular Alberta drivers do not have the ability to call their local police chief and discuss traffic tickets. Madu used his position as minister to initiate this conversation, and regardless of whether he asked the chief to cancel the ticket, it is political interference for him to have discussed it all."
Duane Bratt, a political scientist in Calgary, also said Madu should lose his job.
"You cannot have ministers of the crown, let alone the justice minister, calling judges and police chiefs about active cases especially active cases they are personally involved in," he said. "It should be an automatic case."
"There is a very long precedent in Canada that if you call a judge or police chief on an active case you have to step down."
Madu, who previously served as minister of municipal affairs, was named justice minister in August 2020.
"I don't know how you come back on this," said Bratt. "There's a higher threshold for being minister of justice."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A turbulent campaign nears its finale as Americans choose between Harris and Trump
A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancour headed for its Election Day finale on Tuesday, as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.
Government calls $9M condo purchase an 'operational decision'
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly defends the purchase of a $9 million condo for the Consulate General of New York City at a parliamentary committee, as a necessary investment.
New homeowners find skeleton in attic 15 years after previous occupant disappeared
Homeowners in France have discovered a skeleton in the attic of an outbuilding while undertaking renovation work.
Netanyahu fires Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, after months of clashes over war and politics
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant after months of clashes over domestic politics and Israel’s war efforts.
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
'Extreme disregard for the safety of others': Lamborghini driver gets prison sentence for 2021 Toronto crash
A mortgage broker who totalled his Lamborghini and left a passenger with life-altering injuries after trying to pass a Toronto streetcar at nearly three times the speed limit has been handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence.
'I’m not proud of it': Jason Kelce apologizes after video shows him spiking a cellphone after fan used a homophobic slur
Jason Kelce issued an apology during ESPN's 'Monday Night Countdown' after a viral video captured a 'heated moment' between the retired Super Bowl champion and a fan over the weekend.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
Harris and Trump tie in Dixville Notch midnight vote to kick off Election Day
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. president Donald Trump have tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch, kicking off Election Day in one of the first places in the country to report its presidential preference.