Calgary Zoo denies illegal donations
Posted Jan 25, 2012 11:40 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Calgary Zoo officials are denying allegations by the Wildrose Party that the facility made an illegal contribution to the Progressive Conservative party in 2009.
The Wildrose Party alleges that “as a wholly-owned entity of the City of Calgary” the Calgary Zoo violated the election finances and contributions act, when it contributed $725 to the Banff-Cochrane Progressive Conservative Association.
But Zoo spokesperson Laurie Skene tells the Herald it is not solely owned by the City and broke no law when it made a contribution to a golf fundraiser event for a Banff-Cochrane MLA.
She didn’t say why the non-profit organization made the donation, but says the zoo has banned the practice under new guidelines made two years ago.
The donation paid for an auction item and the entry fee for a golf tournament in Cochrane.
In a news release on Wednesday, the Wildrose says Elections Alberta has 49 investigations underway into illegal Tory donations.
Wildrose Deputy Leader Paul Hinman says, “What Albertans have to ask themselves is why all these prohibited groups feel compelled to donate money to the ruling P.C.s.”
