Ethics probe finds Danielle Smith violated conflict of interest rule, but no sanctions ordered against her

Alberta's ethics commissioner has found United Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith contravened the Conflict of Interest Act over a conversation she had with her justice minister about a high-profile COVID-19 case.

Alberta's ethics commissioner has found United Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith contravened the Conflict of Interest Act over a conversation she had with her justice minister about a high-profile COVID-19 case.

Marguerite Trussler's report comes in the waning days of a bitter election campaign with voters going to the polls on May 29.

Trussler, in her report, says the violation has to do with discussions Smith had with Tyler Shandro related to criminal charges against Calgary pastor Artur Pawlowski.

Smith also spoke with the pastor, and stated she did so only because he was the leader of the Independence Party of Alberta.

During that call, Smith told him she sympathized with his situation but said she "did not have the mechanisms" to influence Crown prosecutors' cases.

Trussler determined that once the true nature of the call was determined, Smith should have taken action.

"She should have clearly told Mr. Pawlowski that she could not speak to him about criminal charges that he was facing and immediately terminated the call," she wrote.