No charges after RCMP investigation into Redford's use of government planes
The RCMP say there will be no charges resulting from their investigation into spending or government plane use by former Alberta premier Alison Redford.
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Former premier Alison Redford won’t face charges following an investigation into her use of government aircraft and spending, RCMP said Friday.
Mounties said they have now closed the file and advised Redford and the Progressive Conservative government of the outcome.
Redford, Alberta’s 14th premier, resigned last March in the face of a caucus revolt and public outcry over her spending and use of government planes.
The probe was launched last August after auditor general Merwan Saher described what he called “an aura of power” around the former premier that prevented staff and officials from questioning her actions.
He said she had inappropriately used government resources and that her staff reserved seats on government flights for ghost passengers so she could fly alone.
Saher alleged the premier and her office used government planes for personal and partisan benefit.
In August, Redford’s successor, Dave Hancock, referred the matter to the RCMP following an internal review.
On Friday, Mounties said they reviewed the auditor general’s report and conducted followup interviews during their investigation.
“In the interest of thoroughness, the RCMP interviewed a wide range of individuals who provided us with information related to the auditor general’s report,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner Marlin Degrand said in a news release. “The file is now concluded.”
Redford issued a statement late Friday thanking those who supported her and expressing gratitude the investigation is over.
The former Calgary-Elbow MLA said she appreciated the RCMP for their “very thorough work that leaves no lingering questions.”
“I was never concerned about the outcome, as I had the benefit of knowing that my (actions) and my office’s actions were above board,” she said. “Now that this is over, I am looking forward to again making a contribution to the province, and country I love.”
Redford resigned her seat in the legislature just before Saher released his report last August and in a letter publicly acknowledged “mistakes were made” during her time in office.
On Friday, Stefan Baranski, Redford’s one-time communications director and member of her inner circle, tweeted: “Political witch hunt finally comes to an end.”
Premier Jim Prentice didn’t comment on the matter, but an Alberta Justice spokeswoman issued a brief statement.
“The legal opinion we received recommended we refer this matter to the RCMP. We did that,” said Jessica Jacobs-Mino, press secretary to Justice Minister Jonathan Denis. “We are pleased to see it is now concluded.”
Saher’s report detailed a long list of abuses in his special case report.
He said Redford and her ministers used the taxpayer-funded fleet of planes to travel to Progressive Conservative political events.
She used the planes for personal travel at least twice — to a family funeral in Vancouver and for a weekend in Jasper — and her daughter flew on 48 flights, sometimes without her, the auditor general said.
Saher called the flights for Redford’s daughter a “personal benefit.” He also reported that a Redford trade mission to India and Switzerland — a trip the government said cost $131,000 — actually cost $450,000.
Prentice announced shortly after taking office last summer that the government was putting the aircraft fleet up for sale.
Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman said she’s not surprised with Friday’s announcement, as the RCMP must examine the allegations under the letter of the law.
But she said most Albertans feel the use of government planes and spending was excessive.
“I don’t think it changes the way Albertans view this at all,” said Blakeman. “It’s not breaking the Criminal Code, but it certainly broke Albertans’ trust.”
Wildrose MLA Drew Barnes called on all PC MLAs who used the aircraft for partisan purposes to pay back taxpayers for the flights.
“Albertans are telling me how disappointed they are that their hard-earned tax dollars were so wasted,” he said. “This is a reminder to Albertans that ultimately it’s up to us to hold the PC party responsible for wasting our tax dollars.”
Barnes said Redford may not have been charged, but the use of government planes and excessive spending won’t be forgotten by voters during the upcoming election.
NDP Leader Rachel Notley said the governing Tories haven’t lost their sense of entitlement.
“Today’s news does not change the fact that this tired PC government has an exaggerated sense of entitlement and an inability to distinguish between public interest and personal interest,” she said in a statement.
Political scientist Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University said the opposition will try to raise the “aura of power” as an expected election draws near, but noted the government planes are being sold, while Redford and her former finance minister, Doug Horner, aren’t running again.
“Politically she has already paid a pretty big price — she lost her job and was publicly humiliated,” Bratt said. “At this stage, people have moved on from Alison Redford.”
With files from The Canadian Press.
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