Alberta ethics commissioner reviewing if Smith interfered in justice

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Smith told listeners on her weekly phone-in radio show on Saturday that she took the call because she thought it would be in the context of Palowski’s role as leader of another political party.

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Legal experts say the call was a clear violation of the firewall between politicians and the justice system and that regardless of the pretext, Smith should have ended the call when the case came up.

Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt doubts the commissioner will complete her investigation before voters go to the polls, meaning the allegations will be hanging over Smith during the campaign.

Irfan Sabir, Alberta NDP Justice Critic and MLA for Calgary-Bhullar-McCall, issued the following statement in response to the Ethics Commissioner’s investigation:

“While I welcome this investigation, I want to stress that it’s also not nearly enough. We continue to call for a fully independent judicial investigation as well. Only a judge could look at breaches of other legislation and could conduct interviews concerning matters not covered in the Conflict of Interest Act.

“Additionally, the outcome of an Ethics commissioner investigation will relate only to the private interest of Art Pawlowski. The Premier’s actions are a clear violation of the rule of law, and she should be held accountable for that.

“Finally, the sanctions for a breach of the Conflict of Interest Act are limited to the Legislative Assembly — which is held by a UCP majority. Consequences for any wrongdoing under the Conflict of Interest Act or other laws must also be a matter for the judicial system and not solely the legislature.

“Alberta’s NDP continues to call for a fully independent investigation by a judge. The Premier could launch this today. Albertans fear they have a Premier who thinks she’s above the law, or that the laws of our province don’t apply to her extremist friends.

“The foundation of our justice system has been shaken. Albertans deserve full answers on what happened here before they cast a vote in May.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)