146 lines
5.7 KiB
Markdown
146 lines
5.7 KiB
Markdown
# Freedom From Corruption
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!!! quote "Power Structure Wisdom"
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"We investigated ourselves and found that we're all working exactly as intended."
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[Call Danielle Smith, Premier](tel:7804272251){ .md-button }
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[Call Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety](tel:7804159550){ .md-button }
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[Email Minister of Public Safety](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/anti-corruption){ .md-button }
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[Call Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice](tel:7804272339){ .md-button }
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[Email Minister of Justice](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/legal-accountability){ .md-button }
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## Why Do We Need Freedom From Corruption?
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Because somehow we ended up in a world where money talks louder than voters and corporate lobbyists have more access to politicians than we do to our own MLAs. Let's talk about why our democracy shouldn't depend on who has the biggest expense account.
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### Our Current "Freedom" System
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!!! example "The Alberta Corruption Experience"
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1. Politicians promise change
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2. Corporations fund campaigns
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3. Laws mysteriously favor donors
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4. We all act surprised
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5. They blame "the system"
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6. We repeat next election
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## What Real Freedom From Corruption Looks Like
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- Clean elections (without corporate dark money)
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- Transparent governance (not just during scandals)
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- Real accountability (beyond strongly worded letters)
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- Public interest first (shocking concept)
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- Equal access to decision makers (even without a gold membership)
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### But What About "Business-Friendly" Politics?!
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!!! info "Plot Twist"
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Being business-friendly shouldn't mean being citizen-hostile. And maybe, just maybe, our politicians should remember who they actually work for (hint: it's us).
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## Common Corruption Patterns
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### Political Corruption
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- Revolving door between industry and government
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- Laws written by corporate lobbyists
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- "Consultation" that only listens to industry
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- Campaign promises that evaporate after election day
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- Strategic "retirements" before scandals break
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### Corporate Capture
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- Regulators who come from the industry they regulate
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- "Self-regulation" that never seems to find problems
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- Industry "experts" writing their own rules
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- Public assets sold for private profit
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- Environmental assessments that always say "yes"
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### Public Trust Violations
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- Our tax dollars funding private profits
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- Our public services cut while subsidies flow
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- Our health policies written by industry
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- Our environmental rules weakened for donors
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- Our education system shaped by corporate interests
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!!! tip "Pro Freedom Tip"
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If we're told "that's just how things work," we're probably looking at corruption wearing a business suit.
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## The Economic Reality
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When we fight corruption:
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- Our democracy works for everyone
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- Our tax dollars serve the public
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- Our regulations protect people
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- Our services improve
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- Our trust in institutions grows
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### What We're Missing
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- Effective conflict of interest laws
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- Real whistleblower protection
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- Independent oversight
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- Meaningful penalties
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- Public interest advocacy
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- Transparency by default
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## The Democracy Imbalance
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Our Rights vs Special Interests:
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- Our votes < Their donations
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- Our needs < Their profits
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- Our future < Their quarterly reports
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- Our voices < Their lobbyists
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!!! warning "Reality Check"
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A system that consistently favors the powerful isn't broken - it's corrupted. And corruption isn't a bug, it's a feature for those who benefit.
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## The Bottom Line
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Freedom from corruption means having a democracy that works for all of us, not just the well-connected. It means understanding that our government should serve the people, not just those who can afford access.
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!!! note "Let's Get Involved"
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Ready to fight corruption? Let's start by:
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- Following the money
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- Supporting transparency initiatives
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- Backing anti-corruption reforms
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- Voting for clean government
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- Demanding accountability
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Remember: Corruption thrives in darkness. The best disinfectant is sunlight - and lots of angry voters with flashlights.
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---
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## Sources & Evidence
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### The "CorruptCare" AHS Scandal
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- Former AHS CEO filed wrongful dismissal lawsuit alleging **political pressure to award contracts** to private companies (February 2025)
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- Private surgery contracts cost **52% more** than public alternatives according to AHS data
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- **RCMP launched investigation** into AHS procurement irregularities (March 2025)
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- Health Minister resigned amid the scandal
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- Government rejected calls for a public inquiry
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- A former judge was appointed to lead a third-party investigation
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- Source: [CBC News - AHS CEO lawsuit](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-health-services-ceo-lawsuit-1.7089234)
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- Source: [Global News - Health Minister resignation](https://globalnews.ca/news/alberta-health-minister-resignation/)
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### Freedom of Information Failures
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- A 2025 investigation found **27 government bodies non-compliant** with freedom of information rules
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- Investigation reports have been **delayed by 4+ months**
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- Government transparency has significantly declined
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- Source: [Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta](https://www.oipc.ab.ca/)
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### $5.2 Billion Deficit
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- Alberta is running a **$5.2 billion deficit** amid spending concerns
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- Fiscal transparency has declined with changes to reporting requirements
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- Independent oversight has been weakened
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- Source: [Government of Alberta Budget Documents](https://www.alberta.ca/budget)
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### What Accountability Looks Like
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- 78% of Albertans support independent investigations of government scandals
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- Public inquiry into AHS scandal has been repeatedly demanded
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- Whistleblower protections remain inadequate
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- Source: [Public Interest Alberta](https://www.pialberta.org/)
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