REALITY CHECK: WILDROSE ADMIT PLAN TO CHANGE ELECTION LAWS FOR THEIR OWN GAIN

For immediate release
June 6, 2017

EDMONTON – The Wildrose wants to merge their party and funds with the PCs, admitting they plan to change the election laws that apply to every other political party in Alberta.

In an e-mail sent yesterday to their supporters, the Wildrose says:

“In 2019, the United Conservative Party (“UCP”) would form the government and change the law to permit mergers of political parties. At that time, the assets of the legacy Wildrose CA [Constituency Association] could be merged into the CA of the UCP in that constituency”

Under Alberta law, party mergers are not allowed. Elections Alberta’s Drew Westwater said explicitly that the assets of the Wildrose cannot be used or transferred to a new party.[1]

“Why does the Wildrose think the law doesn’t apply to them?” asked NDP MLA Jessica Littlewood. “The conservatives believe they can alter rules to suit their own ambitions. What other rules will they change to benefit themselves? Why do they believe they can change the rules to benefit themselves before they’ve even earned the votes of Albertans? Albertans won’t stand for these kinds of shenanigans.”

“Albertans demanded changes to election financing and they got them under the NDP.  We passed Bill 1 that outlawed corporate and union donations. We’ve also passed strict regulations of how third parties can advertise in the election. I am proud to stand up for transparency and accountability, and wish the Wildrose would do the same,” said Littlewood.

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[1] http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/elections-alberta-pc-wildrose-merger-1.3967628