The local Wildrose constituency association is several months behind in filing its 2011 financial statements.
The local association was to have filed its 2011 financial statements on March 31, but the statements are still not in.
Locally, all of the other parties managed to file their statements on time and the St. Albert Wildrose constituency is among only a handful of associations in the province that has not filed.
Elections Alberta can fine or even disband constituency associations that fail to meet those timelines, but in this case they are not yet pursuing those options.
“We are still continuing to work with the party and the constituency association,” said Lori McKee-Geske, the province’s deputy chief electoral officer. “Our aim is to work with these folks to encourage compliance with the legislation.”
She said she expects the association to file the documentation shortly and understands the delay to be related to changes in the constituency association membership and the boundaries of the association.
“We would expect that this issue should be resolved in a reasonable amount of time now.”
Jaye Walter, president of the local Wildrose association, said the issue was being resolved.
“Our constituency association has been made aware that its financial statements have not been filed with Elections Alberta; this is an administrative issue that will be resolved shortly.”
Walter did not elaborate on the administrative issues.
“We are hoping to have it resolved fairly shortly.”
The constituency association and the campaign team are kept separate financially and it is up to the candidate, James Burrows, to ensure reports are filed.
Walter said he didn’t expect the delays with the association’s returns to have an impact on the campaign’s financial returns.
“It is his and his team’s responsibility that they have all the documentation filed, specifically with everything they have to do with the writ period,” said Walter.
Financial reports for the election are due at the end of August.
