Former judge to review call from suspended Alberta justice minister to police chief

EDMONTON - A retired choose from Alberta’s Courtroom of Queen’s Bench is to find out whether or not suspended justice minister Kaycee Madu interfered with the administration of justice.

Premier Jason Kenney’s workplace says Adele Kent will examine a cellphone name Madu made to Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee 10 months in the past concerning a visitors ticket.

“Kent will decide whether or not or not the decision on March 10, 2021, constituted interference or an try and intrude with the administration of justice,” Kenney’s spokesman Justin Brattinga mentioned in an announcement Monday.

“Minister Madu will present his full cooperation and help.

“Throughout this time, minister Madu won't take part in cupboard conferences and he won't obtain his cupboard pay.”

Kent retired from the courtroom final yr.

She has been given a deadline of Feb. 15 and Brattinga mentioned her findings can be made public.

Kenney suspended Madu from his justice duties final week after the cellphone name was revealed in media stories.

Madu has not spoken publicly in regards to the matter however has issued statements on social media.

He has mentioned he did name McFee in regards to the ticket, not as a result of he wished it cancelled, however to hunt assurances he wasn’t being unfairly focused as a result of he's Black or held a high-profile authorities place. He mentioned McFee assured him he was not.

Kenney’s workplace mentioned Kent is to resolve whether or not, no matter Madu’s intent, the decision could possibly be fairly seen as an try and intrude with justice.

It mentioned Kent “could get hold of copies of paperwork or information instantly related to the investigation and should conduct interviews with people which will have data that's instantly related to the investigation.”

Critics, together with the Opposition NDP, have mentioned the overview shouldn't be mandatory.

They are saying no matter intent, having a cupboard minister — particularly the justice minister — name the police chief instantly a few authorized matter of private curiosity breaches long-standing protocol on separation of powers and Madu should resign.

Kenney mentioned final week the difficulty shouldn't be clear reduce.

He famous that Madu didn't ask for his ticket to be rescinded however as an alternative raised bigger considerations about points, together with racial profiling.

Kenney has mentioned he knew that Madu had obtained a ticket however was unaware that Madu had known as McFee about it till every week in the past, when he directed Madu to step apart.

Political scientist Duane Bratt mentioned the phrases of reference for what the choose is allowed to look into are so slender they name into query why an investigation is required in any respect.

“I don’t understand how that is really racial profiling. Neither is it when did Kenney know,” mentioned Bratt, with Mount Royal College in Calgary.

Bratt mentioned whether or not Madu meant to intrude within the administration of justice is an open query, however the reality individuals may view it that means is past doubt.

“(The notion) is an absolute sure. I don’t know how one can say in any other case,” he mentioned.

Madu, the one legislature member the United Conservative authorities has in Edmonton, had been justice minister since August 2020. He's serving his first time period within the legislature.

On the morning of March 10, he was ticketed for distracted driving for being on a cellphone whereas behind the wheel in a faculty zone. He paid the $300 ticket quickly after however not earlier than reaching out to McFee.

Madu, in his statements, has disagreed with the ticket. He mentioned his cellphone was in his pocket.

That prompted an offended response from Employees Sgt. Mike Elliott, head of the Edmonton Police Affiliation, which represents rank-and-file officers.

Elliott mentioned if Madu believed he was being unfairly handled, there's a criticism course of that ought to be adopted that doesn’t embrace a direct name to the chief of police.

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 24, 2022.