The Law Society of Alberta has determined that former justice minister Kaycee Madu is guilty of conduct deserving of sanction due to a phone call he made to Edmonton’s police chief following a traffic ticket he received in 2021.
This decision marks a significant moment for the legal profession in Alberta, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity and public trust in the administration of justice.
The committee’s report, released this week, highlights that Madu’s call to Chief Dale McFee, which he claimed was intended to address concerns over racial profiling, was inextricably linked to the distracted driving ticket he received.
Despite Madu’s assertion that he did not seek special treatment regarding the ticket, the committee concluded that the nature of the call and Madu’s position as a senior official compromised public confidence in the justice system.
“Far from encouraging public respect for the administration of justice, Mr. Madu’s conduct is reasonably perceived as sidestepping the process entirely.
“It was irresponsible and failed to meet the high standard required to retain the trust, respect and confidence of other members of the profession and members of the public,” the report stated.
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Madu, who served as Alberta’s justice minister at the time of the incident, was removed from the role after the details of the call came to light in 2022.
Although he later took on roles as labour minister and briefly as deputy premier, he lost his seat in the 2023 election and is currently working in private practice.
The committee will reconvene to determine an appropriate sanction for Madu, which could range from a suspension to disbarment. The Law Society of Alberta has not yet provided a timeline for this decision.