The Auditor General’s report on the expenses for air transportation for former Premier Alison Redford is out and has been forwarded to the RCMP for review.
The office of Alberta’s Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Jonathan Denis released a statement on Thursday saying "Today I have forwarded the Auditor General’s report to the RCMP for their review and any investigation they feel appropriate.
Denis says he also made the recommendation to the premier to forward the report to police.
“On Monday, August 4, 2014, I recommended to Premier Dave Hancock that this report should be forwarded to the RCMP for their review and any investigations that they consider appropriate,” said Denis.
When asked what part of the report led him to make the recommendation, Denis said "It was the totality of the report. If I identified any particular item, or items, it would seem like I'm somehow directing or putting parameters on the investigation, there are no parameters on the investigation. It is wide open and is fully independent." said Denis at a new conference from Edmonton. "It would be up to the police and the Crown prosecutors if they decide to investigate and press charges, I don't believe politicians should be investigating other politicians."
The Justice Minister says an arrangement has been made with a prosecutor with the Ontario Attorney General’s Office to work with RCMP, if required, to ensure an independent investigation is conducted and to address any conflict of interest.
Premier Dave Hancock responded to the report saying that the govenment can do better when it comes to preventing the inappropriate use of public resources.
“While we have measures in place to prevent the inappropriate use of public resources, the findings of this report make it clear that we can and must do better. Albertans deserve nothing less than the highest standard of ethical behavior from their public servants." Hancock said in a release.
He says that the PC Party will pay back the cost of flights that were used for party purposes. “The Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta has stepped forward to reimburse government for the cost of flights which the Auditor General has determined to have been primarily for party purposes."
Hancock says the report casts a shadow on the work done by public servants and that they have work to do to regain the trust of Albertans.
Candidates vying to become the next leader of Alberta's Conservatives also weighed in on Redford's resignation.
Thomas Lukaszuk said requesting RCMP involvement was the right decision.
"Albertans must know that no one is above the law. Whether you are the premier or a minister or an MLA or a public servant -- law applies to you just the same," he said.
Jim Prentice, another candidate, said Redford did the "honourable" thing by stepping down.
Meanwhile, Ric McIver said the party would move forward from the entire affair, but would not "ignore the lessons of the past."
"I am also pleased to know that the PC party has stepped forward to reimburse government for the cost of flights which the Auditor General has determined were primarily for party purposes. We cannot allow a blurred line between government and party business. Albertans must be confident their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent only on government business," said McIver in a release on Thursday.
McIver says if he will look at using commercial alternatives for flights instead of government aircraft if he becomes leader.
"This report raises serious questions about the value for money of government planes, and suggests that value has gone down. I am prepared to eliminate these planes and use commercial alternatives."
(With files from ctvnews.ca)
