The founder of a grassroots Alberta political action group has been found in contempt of court for failing to produce documents requested by Elections Alberta. However, David Parker deemed today’s ruling as proof that the rule of law still exists in Canada because a warrant wasn’t issued for his arrest.
Leighton Grey, Parker’s lawyer, said the investigation, which began last December, was opaque and continues to be that way.
Grey has participated not only in Parker’s interviews but also sat through six interviews with other people who have worked with Take Back Alberta.
“I would describe all of these as basically fishing expeditions. They really don’t know what they’re looking for. They’re hoping to find something,” said Grey. “Elections Alberta has an interest in David Parker personally and in some sort of ad hominem way that they’re looking to find something because they see him as an opponent.”
True North previously reported that Parker declared an “endless war” on Elections Alberta.
Elections Alberta served Parker with a notice requiring him to produce certain documents.
Some of the requested documents include names of donors to Take Back Alberta and an invoice for Jordan Peterson’s appearance in Red Deer last May, right before the provincial election.
Take Back Alberta sponsored the Peterson event but received no revenue. Parker said his private company, not Take Back Alberta, paid the speaking fee and collected the ticket sales.
“Now, Elections Alberta is claiming that Jordan Peterson’s event is elections advertising, which is ridiculous on its face because then they would have to say that both of the events that Jordan Peterson did in Calgary and Edmonton are also election advertising,” said Parker.
Grey said Parker hesitates to give his donors’ names because he respects their privacy and is not sure why Elections Alberta wants them. He added that Elections Alberta does not know whether Parker has one name, ten names, or thousands. And neither does Grey.
Parker offered to provide the requested documents within 30 days, with a $1,000 fine, should he fail to comply. Elections Alberta demanded that investigators receive everything within seven days, even things that were not in his possession. If he failed to produce the documents within seven days, they called for a warrant for his arrest, said Grey.
“Elections Alberta attempted to imprison me. That was their request and that was roundly denied by the judge,” said Parker.
Because of this threat, Parker appeared in court on Monday. Grey said the judge sided with them on the appropriate way forward, giving Parker 25 days instead of 30. Instead of a $1,000 fine, as proposed by Parker, he will be subject to a $5,000 fine should he fail to produce the documents.
Grey said that the judge did not consider the request for a warrant for Parker’s arrest seriously.
“My impression from looking at the Elections Alberta people is that they weren’t very happy about that. I think that jail thing was a very key piece of it,” said Grey.
Parker said that he would contact all of his donors and have discussions with them regarding any paperwork he needs to hand over. He said if he speaks with a donor and they request that he doesn’t reveal their name, then he will not.
“The documents I do have, with donors’ permission, I will hand over,” said Parker.
Elections Alberta hasn’t requested any documents from Take Back Alberta or its board, Grey said.
Parker can issue a statutory declaration if he does not possess a document requested by Elections Alberta, which Grey declared a “key win.”
“Instead of doing the job they’re supposed to do, which is to make sure we have free and fair elections, they’re basically targeting people they don’t like, who they think could be influential actors in future elections,” said Grey. “That’s why I say today for David is probably a win. For the most part, the judge just ordered him to do what David was prepared to do and what he offered to do last week.”
Parker said that he is appalled by Elections Alberta’s behaviour.
“I’m very encouraged that the rule of law appears to be upheld in Alberta… But I think this is just further proof of the danger of giving power to unelected bureaucrats,” said Parker.
Elections Alberta told True North that it is prohibited by law from publicly commenting on investigations but will publish findings and decisions on the website if penalties are imposed.
Editor’s Note: David Parker is married to a True North journalist, who did not contribute to this story.