EDMONTON, AB: Wildrose House Leader Nathan Cooper released the following statement after the Speaker found the NDP government in contempt of the Legislature with its carbon tax advertisements:
“Not only did the NDP government fail to do any type of proper economic analysis before bringing forward the carbon tax legislation, but it rolled out millions of dollars of carbon tax ads before any MLAs even voted on the bill.
“This is just the latest example of an NDP government that has lost its way, and is more interested in funneling tax dollars for its own partisan benefit instead of defending the interests of working Alberta families across the province. This is the second time that the Speaker had to rule on dubious NDP government advertising which threatened parliamentary privilege.
“However, under the usual practices of the Legislature, the matter should have been referred to the all-party Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing committee for further discussion and potential sanction. There was clear evidence presented that a breach of privilege had taken place and it is more than disappointing that the NDP government has shown such little respect for Albertans and the institution of democracy.
“I will be writing the Speaker on this matter and will rise tomorrow to move that Standing Orders, Privileges and Elections committee investigate this matter, so as to prevent such abusive advertising from happening again in the future.”
In June, Wildrose filed a breach of privilege regarding carbon tax ads that cost over $5 million. The ads can be listened to here.