An environmental legislation charity is to ask a decide immediately to close down Alberta’s inquiry into the purported international funding of anti-oil campaigns.
Ecojustice argues in its written submissions that the inquiry was shaped for an improper function, which the legislation charity says was to intimidate these involved in regards to the environmental results of oil and fuel growth.
Learn extra:
Defence of Alberta oil or try and silence dissent? Choose to listen to inquiry problem
The group additionally contends there’s an inexpensive apprehension of bias and that the inquiry is coping with issues outdoors of Alberta’s jurisdiction — arguments the provincial authorities disputes in its submissions.
Attorneys for the provincial authorities say cupboard is entitled — and mandated — to determine what’s within the public curiosity and what points warrant a public inquiry.
The inquiry was one plank of the so-called fight-back technique the United Conservatives touted through the 2019 election marketing campaign.
Learn extra:
Ecojustice lawsuit seeks to quash Alberta inquiry into oil and fuel foes
The deadline for the inquiry headed by forensic accountant Steve Allan has been delayed 3 times and its funds has been elevated by $1 million to $3.5 million.
The listening to earlier than Courtroom of Queen’s Bench Justice Karen Horner has been scheduled for 2 days. Its preliminary April 2020 court docket date was pushed again because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
