In the letter, the investigators write thatdepending on how the purchase [des cartes de membre faisant l’objet des allégations] was financed, it is possible that the election finance and contribution disclosure law [de l’Alberta] and Elections Alberta standards were violated.

A spokesman for the United Conservative Party announced via email CBCSaturday that party was not contacted by Elections Alberta and is not aware of any investigation.

The spokesperson adds that a person can purchase a membership card for themselves or a family member using a personal credit card. The membership card can also be paid for by check or cash if the applicant can verify their identity.

The results of Jason Kenney’s vote of confidence in the leadership, held by mail, are scheduled to be released on May 18th.

Brian Jean doubts

The camp of Brian Jean, a member of the ECP unlike Jason Kenney who was recently elected Member of Parliament for Riding Fort McMurray-Lac La BicheConfirmed to have filed a complaint with Elections Alberta about the bulk purchase of party membership cards.

According to Brian Jean’s associate Vitor Marciano, the complaint explains that membership cards were en masse purchased for third parties before the 2021 Election Amendment Act came into effect. (New window)also known as Bill 81. Marciano adds that Jason Kenney’s campaign was named in the complaint.

He also believes other complaints have been filed with Elections Alberta. I think we’re not the only ones, but I’m not surehe explains.

Brian Jean has previously claimed that some of the approximately 59,000 members called to vote in Jason Kenney’s vote of confidence may have received membership cards without their knowledge and that the $10 fee for those cards was paid for by someone else.

It is impossible to determine whether Camp Jean’s complaint prompted the Elections Alberta investigation.

Elections Alberta did not respond to requests for comment from CBC.

4,000 membership cards, paid for with 6 credit cards, says Clan Jean

The core of the Brian Jean clan’s complaint is based on the payment of certain membership cards before the enactment of Act 81 amending the Electoral Code of 2021.

According to the new provisions of the Electoral Code, which came into force on March 31, it is possible to buy a political party membership card on behalf of a third party without notifying them.

However, according to Vitor Marciano, about 4,000 United Conservative Party membership cards were paid for with six credit cards through March 19, the date by which membership was available to participate in the vote of confidence on Jason Kenney’s leadership.

I don’t know who owns these credit cards. All I know is that someone bought membership cards for otherssupports Vitor Marciano.

In a statement released in early April, Brian Jean said he believed in the legitimacy of the 92% of members who were able to speak out in the vote of confidence after seeing evidence of party leadership.

If there is any doubt

This new episode of the internal war between members of the United Conservative Party and their leader only erodes confidence in the outcome of the vote announced on May 18, according to political scientist Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University.

If Jason Kenney scores more than 50% regardless of the score, he will be suspected of cheating again.he believes.

Basically, it’s a lack of trust […] included [et] between the board of directors and the members. This can go as far as a lack of confidence in the result [du vote de confiance].

This lack of trust is also related to a federal investigation RCMP on possible irregularities during the election campaign for the leadership of the United Conservative Party, which led to the nomination of Jason Kenney in 2017, notes Duane Bratt.

There’s a reason people distrust [des résultats] of the vote of confidence. You are suspicious about [ce qui s’est passé en] 2017. You are a suspect under Law 81he adds.

It is not just an internal party dispute that has no impact on those who are not members or non-Albertans. We’re talking about the Alberta government herehe clarifies.

With information from Dominika Lirette and Carolyn Dunn