Alberta’s NDP opposition calling Thursday’s passing of Bill 22 “the most disgusting abuse of power in the history of Alberta.”
The controversial legislation fires Alberta’s Election Commissioner, who had been investigating the United Conservative Party’s leadership race won by Premier Jason Kenney.
Opposition Leader Rachel Notley says Kenney has turned the assembly into what she calls “a bully pulpit” adding this bill “proves this Premier is corrupt and his cabinet and his private members are complicit.”
The UCP however, says Bill 22 is a cost-saving move and there is nothing to stop the dismissed Election Commissioner from being rehired or a new Election Commissioner from continuing the investigation.
Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf says he supports Bill 22 and doesn’t buy opposition accusations this strictly has to do with getting rid of the man who’s been investigating members of the governing party.
He says “I fully expect the Ethics Commissioner and the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer to make those decisions independent of government, without elected officials dictating who, how and what they look at.”
Neudorf says he’s received numerous emails and calls regarding Bill 22 and notes the main crux of the legislation is to remove redundancies on a number of agencies, boards, and committees.
The omnibus-style bill also contains a provision to move management of the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund to the Alberta Management Investment Corporation.