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CALGARY – A judge is to hear arguments this week over whether Alberta’s public inquiry into the purported foreign funding of environmental charities is a valid defence of the province’s ailing oil industry or an attempt to silence dissent. Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Karen Horner is to hear a challenge from environmental law charity Ecojustice on Thursday and Friday. The hearing’s initial April date was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I can’t recall an issue that has prompted so much public interest in recent times for an Ecojustice case, and overwhelming support,” said executive director Devon Page. The inquiry was one plank in a “fight-back” strategy touted by the United Conservatives on the 2019 election campaign trail. Forensic accountant Steve Allan was tapped that summer to be commissioner with an initial $2.5-million budget and July 2020 deadline. Allan’s report is expected on May 31 after three extensions and a $1-million budget increase. Page called the inquiry a “political stunt that’s not based in reality” and wants it shut down. Ecojustice argues in its brief that the inquiry was called for an “improper purpose,” which it says was “targeting, intimidating and harming organizations that have raised concerns about […]
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