Alberta oil inquiry extended again because there’s no proof to support premier’s claims, says expert
Posted May 19, 2021 2:27 pm.
Last Updated May 19, 2021 8:31 pm.
CALGARY – The inquiry launched by Jason Kenney’s government into allegations that foreign entities are funding anti-Alberta oil campaigns has received a fourth extension, which is raising some eyebrows.
A judge dismissed an attempt from environmental group Ecojustice to shut down the inquiry on Friday.
Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Karen Horner said the law firm failed to prove the inquiry was called to intimidate charities that have raised concerns about the industry.
READ MORE: Inquiry report into foreign funding of anti-Alberta oil campaigns extended for a fourth time
Political scientist Duane Bratt says the inquiry has been extended once again because commissioner Steve Allan obviously hasn’t found any proof to support the premier’s claims.
But Bratt says Allan is going to need to file a report soon.
“They’re stuck now because they’ve gone along this path, they’ve gone along with his story for so long they can’t just get rid of the Steve Allan inquiry,” said Bratt.
“If they’re just going to claim that there is evidence that environmental groups don’t like the oilsands, which is true, and they have received foreign money, which is true, and that’s as far as they go, I could [file a report] this afternoon. Please give me $3.5 million.”
The inquiry already went over budget once, now costing taxpayers $3.5 million.
Franco Terrazzano with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says the public paid for it and Allan needs to show his homework.
“Not a single penny extra should be going to this inquiry. The bill is already too high, it’s already gone over budget once. We can’t keep spending money on this. Enough. Wrap it up,” said Terrazzano.
“I think we all want to support our oil and gas industry, we all want to get Albertans back to work but we’ve already spent too much money on this.”
After the last extension, the report had a deadline of May 31.
Now, it will be given more time to compile its findings.
-with files from Saif Kaisar
