A taxpayer advocate-turned Alberta MLA who sublet his Edmonton condo while claiming thousands of dollars in housing allowances should be subject to a formal investigation, says the leader of the Alberta Party.
Derek Fildebrandt should produce all records pertaining to his Edmonton apartment and be investigated for “double dipping,” said Greg Clark.
Clark has written to the Speaker asking for an audit of all MLA living expenses, and asking that rule-breakers be financially penalized.
“Albertans don’t like hypocrisy,” Clark said in an interview with CBC News.
“Derek Fildebrandt broke the rules. He’s using taxpayer dollars to line his own pockets. There is no way he can get out of this.”
Derek Fildebrandt, MLA for Strathmore-Brooks and finance critic for the now-defunct Wildrose party, rented out his Jasper Avenue apartment several times between January and March, while claiming $7,720 in taxpayer-funded accommodation allowance.
MLAs from ridings outside the Edmonton region are allotted a maximum housing budget of $23,160 each fiscal year to buy or lease a property in the city.
However, government rules strictly state that the allowance can be only be used to cover the actual costs incurred by members.
‘The rules are clear’
Clark said the former director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, who was elected as a Wildrose MLA in the 2015 provincial election, should be subject to a provincial investigation – there is no loophole in the regulations.
“The rules are clear,” Clark said. “MLAs can only claim an allowance for accommodation reflecting their actual costs, but there are no penalties if the rules are broken.
“I believe very much that he has broken the rules. And more than just paying back the money he has gained from breaking the rules, there should also be a penalty.
“Ethics is what you do when no one is looking.”
$2,555 over 8 months letting out my Edmonton home while unused. I won’t let smear distract from real issues & donate to the AB debt. #ableg
Fildebrandt’s Jasper Avenue unit appears to have been rented out several times between January and March, with eight guest reviews being posted for the apartment.
According to title searches, Fildebrandt does not own the apartment.
The MLA has said he’s done nothing wrong and suggested it was completely reasonable to rent out his often-vacant apartment.
He has not responded to CBC News requests for comment but tweeted Thursday morning that he will “donate” $2,555 to help pay off Alberta’s debt.
He described the controversy as a political “smear.”
The revelations about the taxpayer funded apartment are especially damning given Fildebrandt’s history as finance critic and taxpayer advocate, said Clark.
“His excuses ring hollow,” Clark said. “Even if there is some loophole that allows him to do this, it’s still wrong.”
“I don’t think most MLAs behave this way … this errodes public confidence in the process.”
United Conservative Party caucus deputy leader Mike Ellis told CBC News that Fildebrandt’s expense claims are under review.