Fact Check: CBC follows separatists’ emails. Why not Lukaszuk’s money?
CBC examined the social media account 'Rise of Alberta' and its connections to Keith Wilson, but has failed to scrutinize the funding mechanisms of Thomas Lukaszuk's Forever Canadian group.
CBC is investigating the people behind an anonymous pro-independence social media account. Meanwhile, Thomas Lukaszuk’s Forever Canadian campaign has entered a formal compliance agreement with Elections Alberta over reporting referendum-related expenses. Surely that deserves some investigative enthusiasm, too.
A witch hunt for me, but not for thee.
The CBC story examines Rise of Alberta and its connections to lawyer and independence advocate Keith Wilson. According to an indexed copy of the reporting, CBC and Radio-Canada linked websites associated with the account, Wilson’s business and the Alberta Transition Council through a shared email address.
That connection is fair territory for journalism. It does not, by itself, establish improper financing or unlawful activity.
But if transparency is the concern, the questions surrounding Lukaszuk’s campaign warrant at least the same determination.
Elections Alberta’s public registry lists Forever Canadian’s registration date as June 8. Its reported contributions stood at $48,345 through September 24, following months of zero-dollar reports documented by Rebel News.
Who paid for those previous events? Were services donated? What expenses will now appear in the campaign’s financial return? Those are questions CBC could pursue with documents, invoices and donor records.
CBC has followed the email address. It should follow the money with the same energy.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
https://mybook.to/sheila
