Former judge to review call from suspended Alberta justice minister to police chief
A retired judge from Alberta's Court of Queen's Bench is to determine whether suspended justice minister Kaycee Madu interfered with the administration of justice.
Premier Jason Kenney's office says Adele Kent will investigate a phone call Madu made to Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee 10 months ago regarding a traffic ticket.
“Kent will determine whether or not the call on March 10, 2021, constituted interference or an attempt to interfere with the administration of justice,” Kenney's spokesman Justin Brattinga said in a statement Monday.
“Minister Madu will provide his full cooperation and assistance.
“During this time, minister Madu will not participate in cabinet meetings and he will not receive his cabinet pay.”
Kent retired from the court last year.
She has been given a deadline of Feb. 15 and Brattinga said her findings would be made public.
Kenney suspended Madu from his justice duties last week after the phone call was revealed in media reports.
Madu has not spoken publicly about the matter but has issued statements on social media.
He has said he did call McFee about the ticket, not because he wanted it cancelled, but to seek assurances he wasn't being unfairly targeted because he is Black or held a high-profile government position. He said McFee assured him he was not.
Kenney's office said Kent is to decide whether, regardless of Madu's intent, the call could be reasonably viewed as an attempt to interfere with justice.
It said Kent “may obtain copies of documents or records directly relevant to the investigation and may conduct interviews with individuals that may have information that is directly relevant to the investigation.”
Critics, including the Opposition NDP, have said the review is not necessary.
They say regardless of intent, having a cabinet minister - especially the justice minister - call the police chief directly about a legal matter of personal interest breaches long-standing protocol on separation of powers and Madu must resign.
Kenney said last week the issue is not clear cut.
He noted that Madu did not ask for his ticket to be rescinded but instead raised larger concerns about issues, including racial profiling.
Kenney has said he knew that Madu had received a ticket but was unaware that Madu had called McFee about it until a week ago, when he directed Madu to step aside.
Political scientist Duane Bratt said the terms of reference for what the judge is allowed to look into are so narrow they call into question why an investigation is needed at all.
“I don't know how this is actually looking at racial profiling. Nor is it looking at when did Kenney know,” said Bratt, with Mount Royal University in Calgary.
Bratt said whether Madu meant to interfere in the administration of justice is an open question, but the fact people could view it that way is beyond doubt.
“(The perception) is an absolute yes. I don't know how you can say otherwise,” he said.
Madu, the only legislature member the United Conservative government has in Edmonton, had been justice minister since August 2020. He is serving his first term in the legislature.
On the morning of March 10, he was ticketed for distracted driving for being on a cellphone while behind the wheel in a school zone. He paid the $300 ticket soon after but not before reaching out to McFee.
Madu, in his statements, has disagreed with the ticket. He said his phone was in his pocket.
That prompted an angry response from Staff Sgt. Mike Elliott, head of the Edmonton Police Association, which represents rank-and-file officers.
Elliott said if Madu believed he was being unfairly treated, there is a complaint process that should be followed that doesn't include a direct call to the chief of police.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.