The Auditor General report released today also deals with allegations of AADAC funds diverted by a former senior executive of the agency into the hands of "tobacco control lobbyists who were then providing the funds to the campaigns of provincial leadership contenders." (page 13). The AG report says the the executive in question "stated he did not use any of the diverted funds to make political contributions and his record did not show any such contributions" (page 14).
The Auditor General says:
"Accordingly, we considered if funds may have been diverted to a political party, or candidate for political office, in order to enhance career aspirations or other opportunities. We found nothing to support these allegations." (page 13).
Apparently a traditional media outlet is indicating the Auditor General is looking into allegations that some of the money may have been funneled into a yet unnamed Tory Leadership campaign.
Is the AG still looking into this or has he finished his investigation and satisfied that no funds were diverted into a leadership campaign? The latter is what I read in his report.
The status of this matter has to be cleared up immediately because it puts an unfair cloud over all candidates. Is the Auditor General's investigation over funds being diverted into a PC Leadership campaigm completed and they found "nothing to support these allegations" or is it still on-going?
Morton is the only candidate that has campaigned on creating a stronger auditor general for accountability. Just look at what Fraser uncovered with the liberals; the same should apply with the PCs.
ReplyDeleteGood point. Thx for making it.
ReplyDeleteThe AG has to be able to follow the money. Remember the free land deal in Fort McMurray? If the AG could have the legislative authority to follow the money I would be more confident in the comprehensiveness of his findings and conclusions.
I'm guessing Hancock would support the same initiative (I haven't checked his policy on democratic reform).
ReplyDeleteThe AG needs more funding AND more powers. It not only ensures that things are above board but also that the programs are run efficiently and effectively.
Again, how can AB complain about the federal government or other provinces when we at home do not set the example.
I know Dave agrees to extending the powers of the AG from conversations with him.
ReplyDeleteGood point re complaining about feds and this stuff goes on in Alberta.
Another good example where the AG need more power to follow the money is the Fort McMurray land give away in 1999 but couldn't
In his October 2005 Report the AG could only conclude incompetence and very poor controls so our government gave away a big chunk of land in Ft McMurray.
Yes the GOA literally gave it away by saying it was part of another parcel but had no value because the government deemed it "reserve lands."
The profit on the development of the "undevelopable" lands, soon turned into 350+ unit mobile home park with lots selling at over $100,000+ per is one deal with almost as much money forgone as was finally proven as fraudulently misappropriated in the Gomrey Commmission.
This deal was not fraud but boy does it smell. Read the AG report and form your own conclusions.
You gotta wonder how this stuff justs get forgotten about in Alberta.
scary to think that in Chicago anti tobacco lobbyist (les Hagen) was saying they influenced the mayoral race. They were even giving a course on how to do it!
ReplyDeletehttp://ncth.confex.com/ncth/2005/techprogram/paper_12550.htm
"Results: After applying the above strategies to the Edmonton civic election, a total of 10 of 13 successful candidates agreed to support a 100% smoke-free bylaw. In addition, the lead mayoralty candidate was widely reported to have been defeated at least partially because of his fumbling of the smoking bylaw. As of the time of writing, we are still awaiting the results of the Alberta provincial election."
Its not such a strech to Shape the policies of the PC leader that has their agenda on their list.