No More Skyboxes

When we become MLAs, we take an oath of office. It’s a commitment to selfless service, to Alberta, and to the rule of law. That oath reminds us that we govern not by force or favour, but by laws that protect the public interest.

In our democracy, elected representatives don’t govern alone. We rely on trusted advisors and political staff to help us do the work of governing.

That’s why it’s so important that those individuals — especially those closest to the Premier — are held to the same ethical standards as elected officials.

Unfortunately, under the UCP, that has not been the case.

In 2023, one of Premier Smith’s first moves was to pass legislation that gutted the Ethics Commissioner’s authority in Alberta. That decision paved the way for Hockey Gate and the CorruptCare scandal, where we learned that the Premier and Cabinet Ministers accepted skybox tickets to Oilers playoff games from a businessman who was receiving sole sourced government contracts from the Province. That’s not public service, it’s self-service. And it’s unacceptable.

The UCP has raised the limit on gifts MLAs can accept without Ethics Commissioner approval to $500. They also raised the limit on event tickets that MLAs can accept without disclosing them as gifts to the Ethics Commissioner to $1000.

Here’s the irony: MLAs are prohibited from using our office budgets to buy NHL tickets. It’s explicitly forbidden. But the UCP saw that rule and must have thought, “If we can’t use public money, maybe we can get someone else to pay for it.” That’s ludicrous.

We have to do better in order to restore trust, enforce ethical standards, and make sure the government works for the people...not political insiders.

Last week, I had the honour as the MLA for Sherwood Park to introduce Bill 202: the Ethical Governance Act, or what I like to call the No More Skyboxes Bill.

This legislation will establish clear boundaries for MLAs, cabinet ministers, the Premier, and key political staff, ensuring they act with integrity in service to Albertans; not self-service.

I am proposing amendments to the Conflicts of Interest Act to eliminate even the perception of self-serving behavior by MLAs. These changes will restore the authority of the Ethics Commissioner in our democracy, ensuring that all elected officials and senior staff are held to the highest ethical standards.

Key changes I have proposed include:

• MLAs will be prohibited from accepting gifts valued over $100 without approval from the Ethics Commissioner.
• The Ethics Commissioner will once again be empowered to determine what constitutes a conflict of interest.

Under the UCP, the Ethics Commissioner’s role was stripped of power and handed to one of the Premier’s own advisors. Danielle Smith’s Chief of Staff is currently the ethics watchdog for the Premier’s political staff. It’s actually absurd.

If you’re not ready to serve Albertans with integrity, then go work somewhere else.

Yes, there are moments when Canadians want to see their leaders at major events. So pay for the ticket or disclose a gifted ticket and get the approval of the Ethics Commissioner to use it.

That’s how it should be. Simple. Transparent. Accountable.

Let’s bring high standards back to Alberta. Let’s restore the power of the Ethics Commissioner and recommit ourselves to selfless service. Albertans deserve nothing less.