Electoral boundaries panel chair named despite transparency concerns
Former Alberta Justice Brian O'Ferrall appointed despite only two applicants and UCP donation history. Opposition raises credibility questions.
A special committee tasked with overseeing Alberta's electoral boundaries named former Alberta Justice Brian O'Ferrall as chair of the independent advisory panel Tuesday, but the move drew swift criticism from opposition MLAs who flagged transparency and independence concerns.
O'Ferrall, a former Court of Appeal justice and provincial court judge, was one of only two applicants for the role. According to the Alberta NDP, he donated just under $2,800 to the UCP between 2022 and 2025 and $6,850 to the Conservative Party of Canada. The NDP's Christina Gray expressed serious concerns about the lack of applicants and the absence of participation from the acting Chief Justice, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Law Society of Alberta.
"We expressed serious concern about the lack of applicants, particularly given the acting Chief Justice, the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society's choice to not participate, and the concerns that raises for the process," Gray said.
UCP MLA Garth Rowswell, who moved the motion to appoint O'Ferrall, said retired judges are permitted to make political donations and that compliance with election law means the donations don't impact O'Ferrall's ability to act independently.
O'Ferrall's panel must submit a report recommending 91 new electoral divisions by October 22. The committee has allocated $450,000 for the work and will next nominate additional panel members and discuss compensation.