(Edmonton) The office of Alberta Prime Minister Danielle Smith says it would be gross misconduct for a staffer to contact the prosecutor’s office about matters related to the Coutts border blockade, but does not say if it will investigate whether that happened .
Posted at 7:41 p.m
The office responded to a CBC/Radio-Canada report, citing unnamed sources, that an employee in Ms Smith’s office sent a series of emails to Crown prosecutors last fall, explaining their approach to those files questioned.
In a statement, Ms Smith’s office says the Prime Minister has not contacted prosecutors directly and is not aware of any of their staff who have done so.
The statement said Alberta’s Crown Attorney Service operates independently of politicians and “appropriate action will be taken” if contact is made.
The statement does not say Ms Smith’s office will investigate, and her office did not immediately respond to a request to clarify whether it would do so.
The New Democratic Party of Alberta reiterates its call for an independent investigation, as the prime minister of the United Conservative Party has made numerous conflicting testimonies about talks she allegedly had with senior justice officials about how they are handling cases related to health-restriction protests in connection with COVID-19.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have charged several people involved in the three-week lockdown to protest the COVID-19 restrictions a year ago. The charges range from mischief to conspiracy to murder.
Police claimed that a group present at the protest was prepared to use force against officers if the blockade was broken, describing the threat as “very serious”.
CBC/Radio-Canada reported Thursday that an official at the prime minister’s office allegedly sent emails criticizing prosecutors’ assessment of the charges and questioning their view of the protests at the Coutts Crossing.
The Alberta Crown Attorney Service said in a statement: “Neither the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Alberta Crown Attorney Service nor the Crown Attorney involved in Coutt’s cases can recall receiving emails from the Prime Minister’s office. »
“Such communication would be exceptionally rare and stand out as such,” she adds.
“However, without looking at the emails in question, no further comment can be made. »