Independent probe into contact between Alberta premier's office, prosecutors needed, says political scientist
CBC
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith should call an independent investigation into contact between her office, the justice minister's office and crown prosecutors to put questions to rest, one political scientist says.
Sources have told CBC News that Smith, over several months, asked for updates on cases or inquired whether it would be possible to abandon them.
University of Calgary political science professor Lisa Young says questions about the actions of Smith and her staff may follow them until an impartial third-party can look at the evidence.
"There's a lot of smoke around this, which suggests there is a fire," Young said Wednesday.
"And it's very clear that there's now a perception that something has gone on here. Which means, we need clarity."
Exchanges between the premier's office and Justice Minister Tyler Shandro's office over several months included what sources characterized to CBC News as attempts to influence cases.
One source called the contact "inappropriate" – a characterization the premier's office refutes.
CBC News has agreed not to name the sources because of potential professional repercussions.
One source said Smith committed to asking Shandro to end the prosecution of Artur Pawlowski, a pastor charged with two counts of criminal mischief and a charge under Alberta's Critical Infrastructure Defence Act related to the Coutts border blockade.
While running for UCP leader and as premier, Smith has said publicly she would look into ways to grant amnesty to people facing non-violent charges in pandemic-related cases.
In a statement Wednesday, Smith's office said she and her staff had "several discussions" with the justice minister and public servants in the justice department about amnesty options. She followed their legal advice and recommendations, the statement said.
"All communications between the Premier, her staff, the Minister of Justice and Ministry of Justice public servants have been appropriate and made through the proper channels," the statement said.
In a separate statement, Shandro's press secretary, Ethan Lecavalier-Kidney, said the premier requested briefings, which they provided. He said the premier did not provide direction to Shandro.
"The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service Acts independently and at no time has any political decision affected ongoing prosecutions."
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