And then there were six!

Joe Anglin, Vice-Chair
Lavesta Area Group
16-Aug-2007

On June 8, 2007 landowners opposing the AltaLink’s 500 KV export transmission line uncovered four private investigators spying on their group. The Alberta Energy Utilities Board (EUB) subsequently admitted on Monday June 11, 2007 to hiring four private investigators for security purposes and denied the private investigators were spying or collecting information..

Now landowners have identified the names of six private investigators. The Alberta Electric Systems Operator (AESO) admits to hiring a private investigator but, (similar to the EUB), denies they were spying on the landowners. AltaLink has denied under oath ever hiring any private investigators.

Recently obtained documents, under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the FOIP Act) now shows the EUB, AESO, and AltaLink may not be telling the truth. A copy of an E-mail dated may 9, 2007 from Ray Ambler, head of EUB Security, advises the EUB Board panel that an undercover private investigator was retained to covertly provide intelligence gathering about the landowners opposing the AltaLink export line. The E-Mail also informs the Board members that AltaLink and AESO have retained personnel for security too.

Landowners now question AltaLink’s testimony and want to know - did AltaLink executives commit perjury when they denied hiring any private investigators? The EUB security personnel were definitely under the impression AltaLink had hired private investigators just as the EUB and AESO did.

Landowners maintain the security concerns of the EUB were fabricated and exaggerated, and used as an excuse to violate their rights. Copies of E-Mails, now confirm the head of EUB security, Ray Ambler, obtained access to the password protected conference calls between landowners and their lawyers. This revelation contradicts Mr. Ambler’s and the Board’s earlier statements denying any knowledge of landowner conference calls. Additional E-mails confirm the EUB collected information on a Global Warming Activist Camp, held west of Edmonton in June and they collected information on the Alberta Environmental Network’s efforts to call for a public inquiry. None of these events had anything to do with security in Rimbey and landowners want to know why the EUB engaged in these activities? Landowners also maintain undercover personnel were in attendance at the July hearing in 2006 and at the pre-hearing last November. The EUB, AESO and AltaLink currently refuse to answer questions surrounding these events.

The hiring of private investigators by the EUB violates the basic principles of due process of law. By proactively investigating landowners, the EUB undermined the entire process in what appears to be, to the advantage of the industry.

Landowners are calling for the dismissal of all the EUB Board members and they want to know what role the Alberta Department of Energy has played in the use of Private Investigators. Evidence has now surfaced the Ministry of Energy may have utilized or engaged the services of a private investigator. Landowners want a complete and full public inquiry in to this matter.

Joe Anglin
Vice-Chair Lavesta Area Group

Landowners want police to look into spying accusations

A central Alberta landowners' group is calling for a criminal investigation into accusations that Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board hired private investigators to spy on them during recent hearings.

On Monday, Energy Minister Mel Knight ordered an independent review of the allegations. Alberta's information and privacy commissioner, Frank Work, as well as the Office of the Ombudsman are also investigating.

Jason Chance, a spokesman for Alberta Energy, said former Court of Queen's Bench justice Del Perras will take on the independent review and complete his investigation by September.

Joe Anglin, a spokesman for the Lavesta Area Group, said his group doesn't believe any of the investigations will be truly independent, and are demanding a fourth investigation.

"[If] we get to the point where maybe we get the RCMP involved, or some real serious judicial body that will open this up, then we might have a level of trust that might be restored."

He said the hearings should also be restarted. Continue Article

Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board is considering a controversial proposal from AltaLink to build a 500-kilovolt power line between Calgary and Edmonton.

Landowners living near the proposed site of the power line are concerned about possible health effects and have complained that the board has already decided to approve it.

In April, board staff alleged they were physically threatened in three incidents at a public hearing into the project. Afterward, the board decided to accept only written submissions and close the courtroom in the central Alberta town of Rimbey.

Landowners were moved into a nearby recreation centre to watch the proceedings on TV.

In June, board spokesman Davis Sheremata admitted the energy regulator had hired "security personnel" to keep an eye on the landowners watching the hearings in the recreation centre.