‘People need to be charged’: NDP MP urges UCP to hold separatist group accountable over leaked voter list

Federal NDP MP Heather McPherson, who represents Edmonton Strathcona, joins Alberta Primetime's Michael Higgins to discuss the voter list leak.

Amid the controversy over the massive leaked list of Alberta voters, reaction spills out from Parliament Hill. Edmonton-Strathcona MP Heather McPherson joins Alberta Primetime’s Michael Higgins to discuss what she thinks of the provincial government’s actions and what their next moves should be.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Michael Higgins: We just heard from a mix of Alberta MPs. Where do you weigh in on this voters’ list data breach?

Heather McPherson: I think it’s appalling. This is an appalling breaking of the law. I think what we heard from some of my colleagues was far too soft. This is clear. This is against the law. It has put Albertans in danger. It has put public figures in danger. It has put constituents of mine in danger because their information is now public. We don’t know where this information has gone. We don’t know if foreign actors have access to that information. We don’t know if there are copies of it. This puts Albertans at risk. This breaks the law and more needs to be done to protect Albertans.

MH: Is it enough that Elections Alberta and the RCMP are investigating?

HM: We’ve got to also look at the idea that the Conservative UCP government made it more difficult for Elections Alberta to do their job. They took away the teeth for Elections Alberta to actually investigate. Then this happens and there are less protections for Albertans right now. The law has very clearly been broken.

MH: Is there any degree of overlap or potential overlap where a future federal election is concerned?

HM: I think we need to take a very close look at how this was allowed to happen, when the Government of Alberta knew about it and when it became clear that this illegal act had taken place. I think the RCMP needs to investigate and people need to be charged. People need to be held accountable. Albertans deserve that. This could have implications for decades. People’s identity, identity fraud, the safety that people experience being in their homes, their private information being shared to goodness knows who, this is extraordinarily serious. I’m worried that the Government of Alberta is not taking it seriously enough.

MH: Stay Free Alberta delivered its petition with the expectation that it will trigger a referendum on separation in October. To what degree is that landing on the radar of MPs? Is this a conversation that’s resonating through the halls of power?

HM: I think it ties back to the topic we were just talking about. Every part of this petition is now at risk because of this data breach, of this illegal use of the electors’ list. But in Ottawa, I think this is something that many members of Parliament are deeply seized with. It’s something that concerns me as a member of Parliament and, of course, also as an Albertan.

MH: So your fellow MPs are coming up to you?

HM: Yes. They’re wondering, “What is happening in Alberta? How is this being allowed to move forward?” I think it’s a real concern. We have to take this very, very seriously. I’m worried we’re not hearing from leaders across the country that should be unequivocally saying that Canada is better with Alberta in it, that Alberta belongs in Canada, and that we are fighting for our democracy and our country.

MH: What should the response be from the federal government at this point? Or is it a matter of waiting to see if an actual question is set and Albertans are to go to a referendum?

HM: I would like to see the federal government do more. I would like to see the federal government, every single one of those ministers including the Prime Minister, saying unequivocally that Alberta belongs in Canada. I think there’s a recognition that there are frustrations. There are frustrations within the Federation. Each province, each region, has different needs and different requirements, and I think recognizing that is important. The government has to do what it can to mitigate some of those frustrations, but it needs to be done in a very clear manner that Alberta is part of Canada, Alberta belongs in Canada, and the government needs to be much more clear on that.

MH: How much pressure do you see any degree of momentum behind a separatist movement, a push toward a referendum, then putting on discussions around the MOU? There are rumblings that the federal government is prepared to ramp up the speed on project approvals.

HM: What I’d like to see is the federal government do more on foreign interference. We’ve seen reports that foreign actors, including from Russia and the United States, are actually using foreign interference and using the Alberta separation narrative to sow chaos within our country. I’d like to see the government do more on that piece.

I don’t think this MOU is the solution that perhaps Mr. Carney thinks it is. I think that that Mr. Carney does need to recognize when he allows Danielle Smith to take swings at our public health care system, when she takes swings at our democracy and the fairness of how our democracy is being undertaken, when she’s not prepared to stand up for a strong Alberta in a strong country of Canada, the federal government’s assumption that this MOU will be enough is misguided, in my opinion.

MH: This is the first chance we’ve had to chat with you since the leadership race. How is Avi Lewis changing the dynamics around the NDP caucus table?

HM: Obviously, I was disappointed that I wasn’t the choice of the members, but the work stays the same. It’s so important that we have a strong progressive party in Ottawa that’s pushing back against some very right-wing policies we’re seeing from this current government, so my work stays the same. I’m committed to rebuilding our party, to making sure that we are stronger and working with our new leader. It’s an exciting time when you have a new leader. It’s always exciting for any party, and I’m committed to doing what I can to rebuild our movement.

MH: You finished second in the race. How are you reflecting back on that period? It was a long leadership race, a long stretch.

HM: It was, absolutely, and a really big honour. It was an honour to get to travel across the country, to speak to Canadians, to visit so many of our communities, to hear from Canadians about the challenges they’re facing. That, for me, was a part of my life that I will cherish for a very, very long time.