Kaycee Madu (left) with Premier Jason Kenney. (Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet/LNN with files from Canadian Press

Alberta’s Minister of Justice stripped of duties following call to police over traffic ticket

Jan 18, 2022 | 8:58 AM

EDMONTON – Kaycee Madu has been relieved of his duties as Alberta’s justice minister.

This comes following reports that he called Edmonton’s police chief in March 2021, soon after receiving a ticket for distracted driving. The Edmonton Police Service noted that Madu had concerns about the traffic stop but did not ask the chief to waive the ticket.

READ MORE: Alberta justice minister faces call to quit for phoning police chief about ticket

Madu said he phoned the chief to seek assurances that he was not being racially profiled or singled out for surveillance, given his political position. Police say the ticket was issued correctly and remains valid.

Late Monday night, Premier Jason Kenney tweeted that “it’s essential the independent administration of justice is maintained.”

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As a result, Kenney has appointed an independent investigator to review the incident and “to determine whether there was interference in the administration of justice in this case.”

In the meantime, Madu has been asked to step away from his ministerial duties and Energy Minister Sonya Savage will act as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General during his absence.

The premier stated that details of the independent review “will be made public in the near future.”