On December 21, NDP MLA Thomas Dang stepped down from the caucus following an RCMP raid on his house. It appears it was in relation to an Alberta Health COVID-19 Records leak in September, but it is not currently clear why.
The news is especially bad for Notley, who has spent most of her time as opposition leader criticizing Kenney for the RCMP’s interest in his leadership campaign.
In fact, Notley has routinely criticized United Conservative Party members who have experienced similar treatment.
Indeed, Globe and Mail journalist Emma Graney notes that it would be flagrant hypocrisy should Dang remain, as Notley has previously requested that UCP members under investigation step down immediately.
Dang offered to step aside. Notley added earlier they've asked UCP MLAs to step down while under police investigation, so it would be double-standard if that didn't happen now. She says her standard is from a belief in separating legislative & judicial branches of gvt #ableg
— Emma Graney 🇦🇺🤷🏻♀️🇨🇦 (@EmmaLGraney) December 21, 2021
“At this time, we believe this matter is related to the issue that arose when Alberta Health inadvertently disclosed personal health information through the COVID-19 Records website,” Notley said.
Office of Alberta’s Information and Privacy Commissioner is currently leading the investigation into the issue; though, it is unclear how or even if Dang is involved.
“However, during that time prior when concerns were first raised about what could and couldn’t be accessed through the COVID-19 records webpage, Thomas visited the website and then contacted Alberta Health proactively about his concerns,” Notley said.
“We are not sure of the specifics of the current investigation. Either way, however, as this matter is now under active police investigation, Thomas has offered to step aside from our caucus, and I have agreed to that request.”
According to Notley, Dang wasn’t home when the RCMP executed their search warrant but was out skiing while a family member house sat for him.
Notley says the UCP have muddied the waters in some respects around *not* stepping down while under police investigation. RCMP executed the search warrant on Dang's home this morning, but it's in relation to what happened in September #ableg
— Emma Graney 🇦🇺🤷🏻♀️🇨🇦 (@EmmaLGraney) December 21, 2021
“When the RCMP acted on a warrant to search his home, he wasn’t there,” Notley said. “His relative was.”
This investigation is currently ongoing, and it is not clear what fruits if any, came from the search of Dang’s residence.
No charges have been proven in court.
