Some MLAs told to bow out of Alberta agriculture vote
Rural sector links may be deemed conflict
By Renata D'Aliesio, Calgary HeraldMay 28, 2009 7:19 AMBe the first to post a comment
Alberta's ethics commissioner Neil Wilkinson has directed MLAs to recuse themselves from debating and voting on a contentious agricultural bill if they have financial stakes in related businesses.
The Stelmach government has faced heat from some corners of rural Alberta over its Marketing of Agricultural Products Amendment Act. The proposed legislation would allow farmers to demand the return of mandatory fees paid to fund commissions that research, market and lobby on their behalf.
Affected farmers and commissions include beef, pork, lamb and potato growers.
Wilkinson initially gave all MLAs approval to debate and vote on Bill 43. However, after reviewing its contents, he has advised politicians that if they have private interests in these four impacted agricultural sectors, they--or their family members -- stand to financially benefit from the legislation's passage, potentially violating the Conflicts of Interest Act.
Wilkinson, appointed last October, isn't certain how many MLAs will be impacted by his directive.
"The MLAs have the responsibility themselves to look at that and decide for themselves if there's a conflict of interest or not," he said Wednesday. "If for some reason they do make a mistake, then there can be a request for an investigation."
The ethics commissioner ruling is expected to affect several Conservative MLAs with strong farming ties, including Agriculture Minister George Groeneveld and Premier Ed Stelmach, who no longer raises cattle, but has family members who do.
Speaker Ken Kowalski has asked MLAs to declare their private interest when the proposed legislation is raised again in the assembly.
Wilkinson's decision took Groeneveld by surprise. The agriculture minister said he's concerned about the ripple effect the directive could have on future bills.
"We're trying to figure out where the ethics commissioner is coming from on this," Groeneveld said. "We're having some meetings because it's put the rural people in kind of a difficult position right now, so we'll just kind of see how this plays out."
Liberal MLA Kevin Taft, the party's agriculture critic, considers Wilkinson's ruling precedent-setting.
"Historically, agriculture has been off limits for conflict of interest," Taft said. "I hope in the longer term, it's an important precedent for defining genuine conflict of interest when it comes to farm policy."
Taft, though, expressed some regret about the ethics ruling fallout.
"It gives them an out-of-jail free card for evading a recorded vote, so their voters won't know how they vote."
Some agricultural organizations are lobbying the government to quash the bill.
Edzo Kok, executive director of the Potato Growers of Alberta, said the organization is funded solely by levies collected from potato producers, and any loss of revenue will hurt.
He suggested potato producers have been unfairly caught up in legislation meant for cattle ranchers.
"We're very disappointed with the government for not allowing the democratic process to take place that is in place today," Kok said.
rdaliesio@theherald.canwest.com
Rural sector links may be deemed conflict
By Renata D'Aliesio, Calgary HeraldMay 28, 2009 7:19 AMBe the first to post a comment
Alberta's ethics commissioner Neil Wilkinson has directed MLAs to recuse themselves from debating and voting on a contentious agricultural bill if they have financial stakes in related businesses.
The Stelmach government has faced heat from some corners of rural Alberta over its Marketing of Agricultural Products Amendment Act. The proposed legislation would allow farmers to demand the return of mandatory fees paid to fund commissions that research, market and lobby on their behalf.
Affected farmers and commissions include beef, pork, lamb and potato growers.
Wilkinson initially gave all MLAs approval to debate and vote on Bill 43. However, after reviewing its contents, he has advised politicians that if they have private interests in these four impacted agricultural sectors, they--or their family members -- stand to financially benefit from the legislation's passage, potentially violating the Conflicts of Interest Act.
Wilkinson, appointed last October, isn't certain how many MLAs will be impacted by his directive.
"The MLAs have the responsibility themselves to look at that and decide for themselves if there's a conflict of interest or not," he said Wednesday. "If for some reason they do make a mistake, then there can be a request for an investigation."
The ethics commissioner ruling is expected to affect several Conservative MLAs with strong farming ties, including Agriculture Minister George Groeneveld and Premier Ed Stelmach, who no longer raises cattle, but has family members who do.
Speaker Ken Kowalski has asked MLAs to declare their private interest when the proposed legislation is raised again in the assembly.
Wilkinson's decision took Groeneveld by surprise. The agriculture minister said he's concerned about the ripple effect the directive could have on future bills.
"We're trying to figure out where the ethics commissioner is coming from on this," Groeneveld said. "We're having some meetings because it's put the rural people in kind of a difficult position right now, so we'll just kind of see how this plays out."
Liberal MLA Kevin Taft, the party's agriculture critic, considers Wilkinson's ruling precedent-setting.
"Historically, agriculture has been off limits for conflict of interest," Taft said. "I hope in the longer term, it's an important precedent for defining genuine conflict of interest when it comes to farm policy."
Taft, though, expressed some regret about the ethics ruling fallout.
"It gives them an out-of-jail free card for evading a recorded vote, so their voters won't know how they vote."
Some agricultural organizations are lobbying the government to quash the bill.
Edzo Kok, executive director of the Potato Growers of Alberta, said the organization is funded solely by levies collected from potato producers, and any loss of revenue will hurt.
He suggested potato producers have been unfairly caught up in legislation meant for cattle ranchers.
"We're very disappointed with the government for not allowing the democratic process to take place that is in place today," Kok said.
rdaliesio@theherald.canwest.com
Comment