Alberta increases value of gifts for politicians and staff; can exceed limit with approval

The Government of Alberta approved an amendment on how MLAs and their staff receive gifts on Friday, which jumped up in value, and can receive any gift or fee of any amount so long as it’s approved.

Minister of Justice Mickey Amery introduced a bill in November to amend the Conflicts of Interest Act to allow cabinet to alter dollar amounts and rules as it sees fit without going back to the house to pass a bill.

Previously, non-monetary gifts to politicians were capped at $200 and elected officials could accept tickets worth up to $400 a year from any one source.

Those are now capped at $500 each.

However, the premier’s chief of staff can approve any ticket or gift amount over $500 for staff, and over $1,000 for an event, conference, or meeting if it is recorded and reported to Alberta Ethics Commissioner Marguerite Trussler.

“Members of the Premier’s or Ministers’ staff may accept a fee, gift or other benefit referred to in clause (b)(i) or a ticket or invitation to in clause (b)(ii) that exceeds $500 in value after receiving the approval of the Premier’s Chief of Staff,” the Dec. 22 Alberta Order in Council reads.

MLAs and their family can accept gifts freely under $250, and up to and over $1,000 if they record information about the gift, including a description of the event, the date or meeting of the ticket, invitation, payment, or some kind of reimbursement, and the name of the person who provided it.

In addition, they can accept a “waiver of the attendance fee and the payment or reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses” freely if the value is less than $250, or up to and over $1,000 if the information is recorded and provided to the commissioner.

---

Read More: Alberta to let cabinet decide on limits, rules surrounding gifts for politicians

---

Previously, MLAs had to refer to the ethics commission if the fee exceeded $400 to retain the fee, gift, or benefit, and had to take “any steps” the commissioner directs.

Members could accept gifts that resulted from the “protocol or of the social obligations that normally accompany the Member’s office.”

“The Ethics Commissioner may give an approval under subsection (3)(d) only if the Ethics Commissioner is satisfied that there is no reasonable possibility that retention of the fee, gift or other benefit will create a conflict between a private interest and the public duty of the Member,” the act currently reads.

Premier Danielle Smith said in November the changes to the rules were needed because they were hampering her government’s ability to meet people and represent Albertans at events.

The example she used then was the Oct. 29 Heritage Classic NHL outdoor game between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.

She said some of her caucus members were able to acquire tickets under the $200 limit for the game and could attend.

NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir said when the bill was proposed that the government setting the limit on the value of gifts is “like allowing a teenager to set their own curfew.”

CityNews has contacted the Office of the Premier for comment.

-With files from The Canadian Press

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with further details.