Photo: Shane Clausing

By Canadian Press

Suspended Alberta justice minister says he’s not guilty of distracted driving

Jan 19, 2022 | 2:08 PM

EDMONTON – Alberta cabinet minister Kaycee Madu says he understands why Premier Jason Kenney relieved him of the justice portfolio after Madu phoned Edmonton’s police chief about a traffic ticket.

Madu, in a series of tweets last night, says he did not phone Edmonton police Chief Dale McFee to get the $300 distracted driving ticket cancelled, but understands why people could have concerns about the call.

The incident, which happened 10 months ago, came to light this week and Kenney suspended Madu from his justice duties pending an investigation.

Critics say Madu committed a gross abuse of political authority and an affront to judicial independence for having made the call.

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Madu says he phoned the chief to seek assurances that he wasn’t being targeted by police because he is Black or because he is in a high-profile government position.

He also says that while he was ticketed for talking on his cellphone while driving, his phone was tucked in his pocket.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 19, 2022.

The Canadian Press