Premier Jason Kenney confirmed he was interviewed by RCMP last month about allegations of voter fraud in the 2017 United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership race..He obliged a request by RCMP and was questioned “once,” admitted Kenney in response to questions from reporters Monday..“As I’ve said from the very beginning… we’d always be happy to answer questions. At the end of the day, my campaign did everything it could to carefully follow all ofthe rules, and I’m confident we did so,” said Kenney..RCMP have been probing allegations of fraud and criminal identity theft in the 2017 race since 2019..Kenney won the 2017 leadership race held when the Wildrose Party and the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta merged to form the UCP..Former Wildrose leader and newly-elected Fort McMurray-Lac la Biche UCP MLA Brian Jean finished second in the race that has been dogged by controversy and allegations of wrongdoing..The Office of the Election Commissioner (OEC) has levied tens of thousands of dollars in fines, some currently being appealed, after probing what it says were improper donations to Jeff Callaway, a third candidate in the 2017 leadership race..It was alleged Callaway worked with Kenney, then bowed out of the race to endorse him..A CBC expose last week alleged Kenney had personal involvement that campaign despite his strident protestations to the contrary..The CBC report included never before published damning transcripts of interviews conducted by elections investigators that appear to place Kenney at the heart of the controversy..Kenney has steadfastly denied any involvement, but according to CBC, two witnesses interviewed by the OEC allege Kenney was physically present at the meetings that planned the campaign..On Monday, the premier repeated earlier denials he has made about being aware of any illegal disbursements..“No, absolutely not,” he said. “To the contrary, while I sought Mr. Callaway’s endorsement, I never offered and he never received from me or anybody in my campaign any kind of fundraising assistance. Period. Full stop.”.Kenney is now in a political fight for his life as he faces an early leadership review..The UCP’s 11th-hour decision — based on 15,000 new members — to change the plan from an April 9 in-person vote in Red Deer to a virtual, mail-in format has raised fierce objections and concerns about the potential to rig the vote by allowing thousands of pro-Kenney voters to cast a ballot..The mail-in ballot was opened to every party member after the March 19 deadline..Jean, who plans take a run at the UCP leadership, is among many concerned Albertans who charge that Kenney revamped the rules for his benefit..Kenney needs more than 50% support to stay on as leader. Filing to achieve majority support would automatically trigger a leadership contest..Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standard.lslobodian@westernstandardonline.com
Premier Jason Kenney confirmed he was interviewed by RCMP last month about allegations of voter fraud in the 2017 United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership race..He obliged a request by RCMP and was questioned “once,” admitted Kenney in response to questions from reporters Monday..“As I’ve said from the very beginning… we’d always be happy to answer questions. At the end of the day, my campaign did everything it could to carefully follow all ofthe rules, and I’m confident we did so,” said Kenney..RCMP have been probing allegations of fraud and criminal identity theft in the 2017 race since 2019..Kenney won the 2017 leadership race held when the Wildrose Party and the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta merged to form the UCP..Former Wildrose leader and newly-elected Fort McMurray-Lac la Biche UCP MLA Brian Jean finished second in the race that has been dogged by controversy and allegations of wrongdoing..The Office of the Election Commissioner (OEC) has levied tens of thousands of dollars in fines, some currently being appealed, after probing what it says were improper donations to Jeff Callaway, a third candidate in the 2017 leadership race..It was alleged Callaway worked with Kenney, then bowed out of the race to endorse him..A CBC expose last week alleged Kenney had personal involvement that campaign despite his strident protestations to the contrary..The CBC report included never before published damning transcripts of interviews conducted by elections investigators that appear to place Kenney at the heart of the controversy..Kenney has steadfastly denied any involvement, but according to CBC, two witnesses interviewed by the OEC allege Kenney was physically present at the meetings that planned the campaign..On Monday, the premier repeated earlier denials he has made about being aware of any illegal disbursements..“No, absolutely not,” he said. “To the contrary, while I sought Mr. Callaway’s endorsement, I never offered and he never received from me or anybody in my campaign any kind of fundraising assistance. Period. Full stop.”.Kenney is now in a political fight for his life as he faces an early leadership review..The UCP’s 11th-hour decision — based on 15,000 new members — to change the plan from an April 9 in-person vote in Red Deer to a virtual, mail-in format has raised fierce objections and concerns about the potential to rig the vote by allowing thousands of pro-Kenney voters to cast a ballot..The mail-in ballot was opened to every party member after the March 19 deadline..Jean, who plans take a run at the UCP leadership, is among many concerned Albertans who charge that Kenney revamped the rules for his benefit..Kenney needs more than 50% support to stay on as leader. Filing to achieve majority support would automatically trigger a leadership contest..Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standard.lslobodian@westernstandardonline.com