Lac La Biche County officials say they have disproved allegations the municipality made illegal donations to political parties.
On Jan. 24, the county received a message from Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer O. Brian Fjeldheim stating, “I have received a report alleging that prohibited contributions have been made by Lac La Biche County … to political entities in Alberta.”
So far, an internal audit of expense claims has shown that current and former Lac La Biche County councillors or the CAO haven’t directly or indirectly attended a political fundraiser with taxpayer money.
“I’m absolutely very pleased that’s been resolved,” mayor Peter Kirylchuk said. “I’m glad that’s behind us so we can move forward.”
Alberta’s election law forbids certain organizations, including municipalities and crown corporations, from giving money to a political group. That includes attending fundraising events like dinners or golf tournaments. At a meeting Feb. 7, council looked to create a policy that would make it very clear that there was zero tolerance for elected officials or county employees getting paid to go to a political fundraising event. They even went so far as to look at not covering a councillor’s mileage or meals to attend any event that could be seen as giving money to one political party.
Melanie Kanarek, the county’s Manager of Legislative Services, recommended a zero-pay policy.
“That’s the cleanest and easiest way,” she said. “There should be zero reimbursement for attendance. And it’s a polite reminder for political parties to contact people as individuals, not the municipality. And if county employees want to go to an event, they should take the day off.”
Councillor John Nowak voiced his support for the policy, saying it would help to avoid situations like with the County of St. Paul – where a PC Association-hosted golf tournament for area MLA Ray Danyluk was attended by area public servants. The issue spurred a province-wide assault on partisan fundraisers.
There are numerous allegations of recent improper donations in the province, including crown-run companies, school boards, municipalities, and post-secondary institutions.
“If it’s a political association raising money for a campaign – you can’t give them money,” said Nowak, who recently secured the provincial Liberal candidacy for the region while keeping his seat as a municipal councillor.
County officials have told the Post there were no municipally-paid staff at the event. But with the issue continuing to be raised by government opposition parties, councillors are again explaining themselves.
“It has to be non-partisan,” Nowak said. “You can’t be shown to be in favour of one party over the other.”
Councillor Gail Broadbent didn’t go so far as to say that the county should pay to send councillors to events, but she did say by not attending they would miss out on the chance to speak with government ministers face to face. She told the Post after the meeting that by missing these events, councillors could lose the chance to network with officials and work toward bettering the community
“I see value in going to talk to them – but I also see the problem with supporting one party over the other,” Broadbent said.
During the meeting, she also said that it can sometimes be unclear when an event is a fundraiser. But councillor Eugene Uganecz said it’s usually pretty easy to tell.
“If you’re paying $250 for a plate at a dinner – it’s a fundraiser,” he said laughing.
At the Feb. 7 meeting, council voted to work towards creating a policy for employees and elected officials attending political fundraisers. There is no official word from the county when their internal audit will be completed.
