Kaycee Madu, a Nigerian-born Minister of Justice and Solicitor-General of Alberta, a Province in Western Canada, who was asked to step aside from his ministerial position after he called the police over his traffic offence ticket last month has finally been relieved of his appointment.
Alberta Premier, Jason Kenney, announced the sack in a statement following the release of the Kent Report which probed the appropriateness of the phone call.
In a statement early Saturday morning, Premier Kenney said that while the report concluded that “Minister Madu did not interfere in the administration of justice but that the phone call could create a reasonable perception of interference.”
The Premier therefore said that while the phone call was understandable, it does not absolve Madu of responsiblity, stating that because of the sensitive nation of his office, “it would be appropriate for Minister Madu to step aside from that position.”
The full statement by Premier Keeney reads: “On Feb. 15, the clerk of executive council received the report from former Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Adèle Kent with respect to a phone call made by Minister Kaycee Madu to Chief Dale McPhee of the Edmonton Police Service.
“The report concludes that Minister Madu did not interfere in the administration of justice but that the phone call could create a reasonable perception of interference.
“It is clear from the report that his motivation in making the call was not to reverse the ticket but to raise broader concerns, particularly related to racial profiling. Nevertheless, as Ms. Kent concludes, ‘being angry, wanting assurances that he was not racially profiled are all understandable reactions, given the context of the phone call. It does not absolve Minister from responsibility, but it is an explanation that deserves recognition.’
“Given her findings, and the unique role of the office of the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, I have concluded that it would be appropriate for Minister Madu to step aside from that position.
“I have asked Minister Tyler Shandro to serve as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. He is an experienced lawyer who has served on the National Parole Board, the Municipal Government Board, the Criminal Injuries Review Board, the University of Calgary Senate, the Calgary Parking Authority and the Calgary Police Commission.
“I also look forward to Minister Madu’s continued contribution to important work of government as Minister of Labour and Immigration, where he will lead important reforms to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program and continued implementation of the Fairness for Newcomers Action Plan to help break down barriers to the economic success of immigrants. He will help to deliver on the Alberta Work Initiative, a key part of Budget 2022’s plan to connect unemployed Albertans with available jobs through expanded training programs.
“I thank Ms. Kent for her report, and both ministers for their continued public service.”
