Alberta UCP backbenchers support loosening ethics rules [Video]

EDMONTON –

Alberta’s Opposition NDP says the province would become the most corrupt and secretive government in Canada if potential ethics rule changes become law. 

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United Conservative Party legislature committee members voted Wednesday to recommend the government exempt most political staffers from being bound by conflict of interest rules.

Those rules currently limit how much staffers can accept in the form of gifts and spell out how they are approved.

NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir told reporters that if adopted, the proposals would mean no one would know who might be buying the government. 

He said under the proposals, if there is an ethical breach, investigations will be conducted by the premier’s own chief of staff.

“There will be no transparency,” said Sabir.

“These proposals are moving Alberta towards the most corrupt, unethical, secretive government in the entire country.” 

Sabir said loosened restrictions made …