Alberta ethics commissioner won't review controversial $905k sole-source contract
Summary
But in a response letter sent to Sweet on Friday, Trussler said Allan is not considered a designated office holder under the Public Service Act. CBC News obtained internal Alberta Justice documents that showed senior bureaucrats in the ministry, including Sprague, significantly altered an assessment of one of the competing firms, which allowed Redford the opportunity to choose it. The internal documents revealed the legal consortium chosen by Redford — led by JSS Barristers of Calgary — initially had been ranked last and was effectively eliminated from further consideration by an independent review committee. But the documents — drafts of memos — show the review committee inexplicably reversed its initial decision and placed JSS back in contention for the $10 billion lawsuit against the tobacco industry. Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher said Schweitzer is in a clear conflict of interest for several reasons, and so was Allan for awarding the contract to his sons firm.