Calgary MLA Devinder Toor fined $15K by Elections Alberta, CFO fined $14K
A Calgary UCP MLA has been fined by Elections Alberta for accepting prohibited contributions, exceeding the nomination spending limit, failing to deposit contributions into the proper account and borrowing money from someone other than a bank.
The fines against Devinder Toor, MLA for Calgary-Falconridge, total $15,000 and are related to the 2018 nomination contest and 2019 provincial election.
The alleged improper donations related to the use of property, which was not declared.
His chief financial officer, Sahib Bhakri, was also fined $14,000 for failing to keep proper records, failing to put the contributions into the proper account, and exceeding the nomination spending limit.
A numbered company, which Toor was a director of, was also fined a total of $4,500 for making improper contributions to his campaign.
Toor issued a statement, saying he believed his campaign finances were filed properly but accepts the ruling and will pay the fine.
"I fully participated in the election commissioner’s investigation, and did so in good faith. I believed that my campaign finances were accurate as filed. But I acknowledge the commissioner’s findings that that was not in fact the case," it read.
"I should have done better to oversee full and complete compliance with the election finance laws. The fault ultimately rests with me. I accept the commissioner’s ruling and punishment as prescribed. I will be paying the fines as dictated."
Alberta's opposition NDP issued a statement on Wednesday calling on Premier Jason Kenney to "send a clear message" and for Toor to resign.
“Mr. Toor must resign, and Jason Kenney needs to eject him immediately from the government caucus for this corrupt behaviour,” said NDP Deputy Leader Sarah Hoffman.
“This is not a simple mistake. These are willful, deliberate breaches of election laws that call into question Mr. Toor’s integrity, and his ability to hold the public’s trust. Albertans should be outraged at this level of sleaziness and corruption in Jason Kenney’s UCP caucus.”
“Jason Kenney must send a clear message that this corrupt behaviour is unacceptable, and he must do it today."
Information on the penalties is available on the Elections Alberta website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.