Madu report finds Alberta minister did not interfere with traffic ticket but tried to

A report into the circumstances around then-Justice Minister Kaycee Madu’s controversial traffic ticket last year has found he did not interfere with the legal system — but did attempt to.

The report came to three conclusions:

• Madu did not interfere with the administration of justice;
• Madu tried to interfere with the administration of justice;
• and there is a reasonable perception he interfered with the administration of justice.

Madu was removed from his position as minister of justice while the independent review was underway. However, now that it has concluded, he is being allowed back in cabinet.

Despite Madu phoning Edmonton’s police chief to discuss the ticket, the report states that Madu did not do anything to interfere with the fine he was handed.

Madu previously explained the phone call, saying he regrets making it and that he called the chief because he wanted to be sure that he wasn’t being unlawfully surveilled. Madu also raised concerns about racial profiling.

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The independent review has also determined that the Edmonton Police Service did not racially profile the minister.

The review highlights the need for more accountability, adding the justice minister needs to be held at a higher standard.

“To be abundantly clear, at no point did I request that the ticket be rescinded. I would never do that. However, in that particular call, I regret raising the issue at all with the (sic) Chief McFee,” a previous statement from Madu, issued in January 2022, reads in part

That same month, Premier Jason Kenney asked Madu to step back from his ministerial duties over the controversial reports. It was then that Kenney called for the probe to be conducted.

Minister Sonya Savage had stepped in as acting justice minister and solicitor general.

Now that the review has concluded, Madu has switched roles with Minister Tyler Shandro. Madu will now oversee the labour and immigration portfolio, while Shandro will become Alberta’s new minister of justice.

-With files from The Canadian Press