The "Donationgate" controversy wrongly triggered against the Town of Penhold by the province's official Opposition party has been forgiven by Mayor Dennis Cooper.
Last week, Raj Sherman, leader of the Liberal Party of Alberta, telephoned Cooper to apologize for his party claiming the town made an illegal $609 donation to the Innisfail PC Association. The party labelled the innocent action as "Donationgate."
"I told him it wasn't a goof, it was a mistake. It was using small municipalities for political gain. We are the first level of government and we should not be attacked by our provincial parties," said Cooper.
"He was set back a bit that I pushed him a bit. They didn't check their facts. I asked him for a written apology and he also offered to pop into council and apologize in person. We will see if that happens."
The controversy erupted Feb. 13 when the provincial Liberal Party issued a press release stating "ongoing improper and illegal use of taxpayer dollars to support partisan political activity is a true scandal, one that weakens democracy and fosters corruption.
"We call it donationgate," added the press release. It went on to highlight the $609 payment to the Innisfail PC Association that was reviewed by Penhold council on Sept. 26. The press release went on to note municipal governments are prohibited from donating to political parties.
"When will Premier Redford direct her party to stop soliciting and accepting illegal donations?" said the press release.
Cooper immediately countered that the Innisfail PC Association had originally booked and paid for space at a town facility. The association then changed its plans and the town was just paying back the $609.
On Feb. 14, Sherman's office issued another press release but this time it was an apology to Cooper, Penhold citizens and the board of the Innisfail ñ Sylvan Lake PC Association.
"We messed up. The buck stops with me and I take full responsibility," said Sherman. "This is why I phoned Mayor Cooper this morning to apologize, and I'd like to thank him for being a gentleman and accepting my apology.
"I also apologized to the local MLA, Luke Ouellette, for our mistake, and I am awaiting a call back from Linda Yargeau, president of the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake PC association. I'd like to set the record straight; Penhold town council and the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake PC association acted in good faith, neither soliciting nor receiving illegal donations."
Sherman said he has also spoken to his senior communications team to implement new processes to ensure these types of public relations gaffes never occur again.
Meanwhile, Cooper said while he accepts the apology he is wondering if the incident is signalling a future nasty provincial election campaign, expected to be called in the spring.
"I guess the big thing is that I know we are in pre-election but right now they seem to be trying to dig dirt on everything they can dig dirt on and it lowers everybody," said Cooper. "It gives an indication that the next election is probably going to get pretty dirty, and some parties are going to use that."
