‘Political gunfight:’ Environmental law group challenges Alberta oil inquiry in court
Posted February 11, 2021 11:57 am.
Last Updated February 11, 2021 12:01 pm.
CALGARY – A lawyer for an environmental law charity says Alberta’s probe into the purported foreign funding of anti-oil campaigns is a “political gunfight” and not a proper use of a public inquiry.
Barry Robinson with Ecojustice is making his group’s arguments before Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Karen Horner over video conference.
Robinson said public inquiries are meant to investigate tragedies or worrisome matters of public concern, and the inquiry headed by forensic accountant Steve Allan does neither of those things.
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Robinson argues the inquiry is about fighting organizations that have different views from those of Alberta’s United Conservative government.
Ecojustice also contends in written submissions that there’s a reasonable apprehension of bias and that the inquiry is dealing with matters outside of Alberta’s jurisdiction, arguments the government disputes in its brief.
Lawyers for the province say cabinet is entitled, and mandated, to decide what’s in the public interest and what issues warrant a public inquiry.