Tories got illegal donations from AHS company, Wildrose says
The provincial Progressive Conservative Party received nearly $5,000 in donations from Calgary Lab Services (CLS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alberta Health Services, the Wildrose Party says.
Under the Election Finances Act political parties cannot solicit or accept money from a group that receives provincial or federal government funding.
CLS donated $3,000 to the PCs in 2004 and $850 in both 2009 and 2010, according to Elections Alberta disclosure statements, the opposition party said on Monday.
“The Progressive Conservative association should not be soliciting donations from prohibited corporations. It’s right there in the act,” said Wildrose leader Danielle Smith.
“What it is, is systemic violation of the law. It’s systemic illegal contributions and systemic illegal solicitations.” AHS Chief Operating Officer Chris Mazurkewich said the donations should not have been made.
“This shouldn’t have happened,” he said, adding that there will be a full investigation into the improper contributions.
But Mazurkewich dismissed Smith’s allegation that the donations played a part in the recent decision by the Alberta government to move cancer testing from the Tom Baker Centre to CLS labs.
“That would be utter nonsense to allege that these small amounts would have any kind of influence on our relationship with the government,” he said.
Smith said her party has previously discovered the governing PCs have also received improper donations from 12 municipalities, four school boards and one university.
Tories got illegal donations from AHS company, Wildrose says - Calgary - CBC News
The provincial Progressive Conservative Party received nearly $5,000 in donations from Calgary Lab Services (CLS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alberta Health Services, the Wildrose Party says.
Under the Election Finances Act political parties cannot solicit or accept money from a group that receives provincial or federal government funding.
CLS donated $3,000 to the PCs in 2004 and $850 in both 2009 and 2010, according to Elections Alberta disclosure statements, the opposition party said on Monday.
“The Progressive Conservative association should not be soliciting donations from prohibited corporations. It’s right there in the act,” said Wildrose leader Danielle Smith.
“What it is, is systemic violation of the law. It’s systemic illegal contributions and systemic illegal solicitations.” AHS Chief Operating Officer Chris Mazurkewich said the donations should not have been made.
“This shouldn’t have happened,” he said, adding that there will be a full investigation into the improper contributions.
But Mazurkewich dismissed Smith’s allegation that the donations played a part in the recent decision by the Alberta government to move cancer testing from the Tom Baker Centre to CLS labs.
“That would be utter nonsense to allege that these small amounts would have any kind of influence on our relationship with the government,” he said.
Smith said her party has previously discovered the governing PCs have also received improper donations from 12 municipalities, four school boards and one university.
Tories got illegal donations from AHS company, Wildrose says - Calgary - CBC News
