Fate of controversial donations to new Alta premier Ed Stelmach still unclear

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This article was published 17/01/2007 (7151 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY (CP) – Questions were still swirling Tuesday around the fate of nearly a dozen donations of $5,000 or more made to Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach under a controversial plan to offer exclusive access to him and some of his ministers.

A spokeswoman for Stelmach’s successful leadership campaign said Tuesday that 10 to 12 donations had not yet been returned. Joan Forge said the donations were made before the premier cancelled the fundraising plan last week amid mounting criticism.

“None of them asked for a refund,” Forge said from Edmonton on Tuesday. “Those were donations – it wasn’t a ticketed event.”

Last week, Alberta’s new premier stopped the fundraising plan, saying the optics were bad that anyone could get the premier’s ear for a fee.

In Calgary on Tuesday as part of a two-day strategy session, Stelmach said he didn’t know what had become of the donations.

“I don’t know what has been given . . . we have people in charge that deal with whatever dollars that come into the campaign and that’s their business.

“But there won’t be any special, closed reception for anybody,” he said, adding there was money donated to all eight leadership campaigns.

It is the first controversy for Stelmach, who took over from Ralph Klein as Conservative party leader and premier last month.

Alberta’s ethics commissioner has already launched an investigation into the Conservative fundraising plans.

The premier had tried to silence his critics last week, saying he wasn’t fully aware of the plan and that it was likely due to “volunteers not being fully aware of the way I personally do business.”

But the money was not returned.

Late Tuesday evening after Stelmach’s availability, a spokeswoman from the premier’s office phoned reporters to say that each $5,000 donation would be returned to senders.

“I think the issue is, again, just some volunteer didn’t understand that Premier Stelmach wants all that money to go back,” said Marisa Etmanski.

“It’s all going back, so there is no question about it.”

The special receptions with Alberta’s new premier came to light in an e-mail invitation sent to the Alberta business community announcing fundraisers in Calgary and Edmonton.

Along with a $500-a-plate reception with Stelmach and his cabinet ministers, there was to be a “smaller, more exclusive event” for a minimum donation of $5,000 to help pay off the leadership campaign debts of Stelmach and three rivals who later supported him.

Two of those rivals are Health Minister Dave Hancock and Finance Minister Lyle Oberg. Former cabinet minister Mark Norris is the third.

Stelmach’s team has estimated his campaign debt at $300,000.

Political scientist Keith Brownsey from Calgary’s Mount Royal College said the incident showed the inexperience of Alberta’s new premier and cabinet.

“I think we can describe this as amateur hour,” said Brownsey. “Or if it’s not amateur hour, it’s certainly taking the public for granted.

“Part of the reason he was selected by the Progressive Conservative party was because of his image as ‘Honest Ed,’ as the guy that could turn the party around, renew it and bring it up to current standards in terms of transparency and accountability.”

Liberal Opposition Leader Kevin Taft said the donations were Stelmach’s first test as Alberta premier.

“And he’s fumbling. He doesn’t know what’s going on, he hasn’t taken charge and he’s not making the decisions that need to be made.

“Clearly, I believe these donations do need to be returned and if they haven’t been returned, they should be.”

NDP Leader Brian Mason agreed.

“The money simply needs to be refunded,” he said. “If the premier has made a commitment that this has been cancelled, and now his campaign chair is saying they’re going to keep the money, that doesn’t sound like it’s completely cancelled at all.”

Mason noted the NDP wants the government to introduce legislation that would bring fundraising for leadership campaigns under the Election Finance Act.