Kaycee Madu, Alberta’s Minister of justice and Solicitor-General of Alberta, has been asked to step back from his Ministerial position after he called the police over his traffic offence ticket.
Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney, announced recently through a tweet that Madu has been asked by him to step aside pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter.
The tweet read: “I have spoken with Minister Madu about the March 10 incident reported in the media today.
“I conveyed to him my profound disappointment in his decision to contact the Edmonton Police Chief after receiving a ticket for a traffic violation.
“Minister Madu told me that he did not ask to have the ticket rescinded, nor was it his intention to interfere in the case, and that he promptly paid the ticket.
“I understand that Chief McFee has confirmed that at no time did the Minister seek to have the ticket rescinded.
“Nevertheless, it’s essential the independent administration of justice is maintained.
“That’s why I will appoint a respected independent investigator to review the relevant facts and to determine whether there was interference in the administration of justice in this case.
“In the interim period, I have asked Minister Madu to step back from his ministerial duties.
“Minister Sonya Savage will act as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General during Minister Madu’s leave of absence. Details about the independent review will be made public in the near future.”
Madu, who became Minister in August 2020, was pulled over on March 10, 2021, and was fined $300 for contravening Canada’s traffic and safety regulations.
Madu was said to have been on his phone in a school zone.
He later called Dale McFee, Edmonton’s police chief, and discussed the ticket with him.
While talking about what happened, Madu said: “The officer indicated that he had observed me driving while distracted, alleging that I was on my phone. I disagreed, stating that I was not on my phone, as it was in an inside pocket.
“Due to the timing of the incident, I wanted to ensure that I was not being unlawfully surveilled following the controversy surrounding the Lethbridge Police Service. I also raised concerns around profiling of racial minorities that was in the media at the time.
“Chief McFee assured me that that was most definitely not the case, and I accepted him at his word.”
McFee confirmed that he was called by Madu concerning the ticket and added that the minister did not ask for it to be cancelled.
McFee said: “Minister Madu did contact me via the telephone concerned about a ticket. But just to be very, very clear, he never asked to get out of the ticket.”
