Alberta Record

· Bill / Ethics Commissioner election investigations · enacted

Bill 8 (31-1) — ethics commissioner election investigations 2023

Amends the Conflicts of Interest Act to suspend Ethics Commissioner investigations and public reporting during general election periods, and allows for the termination of suspended investigations.

High impactInstitutional independenceElection rulesCensorship & access to informationIndependent watchdogsLegislatureThe public, directly

What changed

  • Prohibits the Ethics Commissioner from commencing new investigations into Members, former Members, Ministers, or former Ministers during a general election period (from writ issue to election suspension end date).
  • Requires the Ethics Commissioner to suspend ongoing investigations into these individuals during a general election period.
  • Stipulates that suspended investigations initiated by a request will cease if no written request to continue is received within 30 days after the election suspension end date.
  • Prevents the Speaker from making Ethics Commissioner reports public during a general election period.

Why it matters

  • Reduces the Ethics Commissioner's ability to investigate potential conflicts of interest involving politicians during election campaigns, potentially limiting accountability during a critical period.
  • Introduces a mechanism for investigations to be terminated if not actively pursued post-election, which could reduce the number of completed investigations.
  • Restricts public access to ethics reports during elections, potentially impacting voter information and transparency.

Rights affected

  • Access to information — The ability to see public records and government decisions.

Other governance concerns

  • Reduced oversight of elected officials
  • Limited transparency during elections
  • Potential for investigations to be dropped

Primary sources (1)