In a judicial review application filed Tuesday in Calgary,
Ecojustice asked the court to halt the $2.5 million Public Inquiry Into
Funding Of Anti-Alberta Energy Campaigns, which it says was created for
“partisan political purposes” and has been tainted by bias from the
outset.

“The
inquiry has been called not to address a matter of pressing public
interest, but to justify a predetermined intent to harm the reputations,
economic viability, and freedom of expression of certain organizations
who have opposed the Government of Alberta’s position with respect to
oil and gas development,” Ecojustice’s application states.

The
Canadian charity’s application says public comments made by the United
Conservative Party, Premier Kenney, and Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer
show the inquiry was not designed for independent fact-finding.

Therefore,
Ecojustice argues, the inquiry has been called for an “improper
purpose” outside the Public Inquiries Act, and Alberta’s lieutenant
governor did not have the authority to order it.