Photo: Government of Alberta / Flickr

By Canadian Press

Traffic Ticket Controversy

Kenney orders justice minister to step aside, orders investigation

Jan 18, 2022 | 9:04 AM

EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he has relieved Justice Minister Kaycee Madu of his duties after Madu called Edmonton’s police chief about a traffic ticket.

Kenney says all parties agree Madu did not ask Chief Dale McFee to cancel his ticket, but it’s important the integrity of the justice system be maintained.

Kenney, in a late night announcement on Twitter, says he has asked Madu to step aside while an independent investigator examines the relevant facts of the case to determine whether Madu interfered in the administration of justice.

In the meantime, Energy Minister Sonya Savage will assume Madu’s responsibilities.

The decision stems from a distracted driving ticket Madu received from an Edmonton police officer on the morning of March 10, 2021.

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Madu says he phoned McFee after he received the ticket but only to seek assurances that he was not being racially profiled or singled out for surveillance given his political position.

Alberta NDP Justice Critic Irfan Sabir issued the following statement in response to news reports regarding traffic violations given to UCP Justice Minister Kaycee Madu and his subsequent communication with the Edmonton Police Chief:

“Minister Kaycee Madu must resign. It is wholly unacceptable for the Attorney General to engage with senior law enforcement regarding a penalty levied against him.

“It is striking that this same minister is in the process of removing Albertans’ ability to challenge traffic tickets without producing $150 with a week’s notice.

“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.

“There is a long-standing parliamentary precedent that prohibits this kind of behaviour. It is inappropriate for any cabinet minister to interfere in the administration of justice, even more so when it’s directly related to their own personal self-interest, and it’s utterly unacceptable when that interference is committed but the Attorney General.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)