In Alberta, a significant group of extremists believes laws do not apply to them, as revealed by the appalling misuse of data by a separatist-linked group that exposed detailed personal information of 2.9 million Albertans. This destructive nihilism collides with the United Conservative Party's (UCP) laxity toward oversight, creating a massive data threat.
Separatist Data Misuse
The separatists continue to ridicule authorities while Elections Alberta investigates the massive data transfer from the registered separatist Republic Party of Alberta to the Centurion Project, which has no right to this information. The rule is simple: official voters lists are sacred, used only by registered political parties and MLAs for election purposes. They cannot be shared, sold, or used to sign up people for a separatist cause.
Historical Respect for Regulations
Troy Wason, former PC activist, recalls that political people across the spectrum deeply respected independent election regulators. One senior PC official was terrified of ever getting a phone call saying they messed up with Elections Alberta. There was genuine respect for parameters and rules.
Elections Alberta is an office of the legislature, operating under rules set in legislation. Ultimately, they can only do what the government majority allows. This works when the government truly wants serious regulation and oversight.
UCP's Undermining of Oversight
Often, the UCP does not. They have been chipping away at the authority of legislature offices since 2019. They were furious about investigations and fines for misdeeds in the 2017 UCP leadership campaign. They believed Elections Alberta should have no authority over party affairs, arguing it is private business, not public. They wanted to shield fundraising and party power deals from public view.
Elections Alberta, the auditor general, and the privacy commissioner all faced hostile UCP members in committees that recommend funding. It was sad to watch chief electoral officer Gordon McClure and auditor general Doug Wylie beg for funding to deal with government messes, such as the huge cost of referendum votes and the ongoing auditor general inquiry into health-care procurement.
Ultimate Betrayal
Now comes the ultimate betrayal. Rather than support Elections Alberta in this data scandal, Justice Minister Mickey Amery's office said any suggestion that new rules prevent Elections Alberta from investigating these matters is completely inaccurate.
