Former Alberta justice minister Kaycee Madu faces sanction for calling Edmonton police chief over traffic ticket

Former Alberta justice minister Kaycee Madu is facing disciplinary action from the Law Society of Alberta after a tribunal found he “undermined respect for the administration of justice” by contacting Edmonton’s police chief about a personal traffic ticket.

The law society cited Madu for misconduct related to a 2021 phone call to Chief Dale McFee, which took place shortly after he received a distracted driving ticket. While the society has not yet announced the penalty, the tribunal said Madu’s actions were “worthy of sanction”, with possible outcomes ranging from a suspension to disbarment.

In his defense, Madu argued that his call was not meant to interfere with the ticket but to raise concerns about potential racial profiling, given his experience as a Black cabinet minister in Alberta. However, the tribunal’s report stated that this explanation was “not supported by the evidence” and that Madu had used his position of power to influence a personal matter.

The incident, which took place while Madu served as Alberta’s minister of justice and solicitor general, sparked widespread criticism at the time and led Premier Jason Kenney to temporarily remove him from his cabinet post.

Legal analysts say the case underscores the high ethical standards expected of lawyers and public officials, particularly those in positions overseeing justice and policing. The Law Society of Alberta will reconvene to determine an appropriate sanction in the coming weeks.