Alberta to pursue rent program scammers
Last Updated: Thursday, July 19, 2007 | 3:55 PM MT
The Canadian Press
Premier Ed Stelmach says Alberta will pursue and prosecute anyone who scammed a new government program designed to help people struggling with monster rent increases.
"Anybody that rips off the Alberta taxpayer, we're going to go after them hard," the premier said Thursday. "It's there to assist those families that either recently moved to Alberta or are facing eviction."
Media reports this week have quoted two anonymous government employees who say the program has few checks and balances, leaving it wide open to scammers.
Staff were ordered not to turn anyone away and cheques for thousands of dollars have been doled out, draining more than half the fund's $7-million budget in just two months, said the anonymous sources.
Employment Minister Iris Evans has ordered an internal audit and the premier is promising the results will be made public.
Stelmach also says the province is prepared to add more money to the rent assistance fund, as thousands of Albertans continue to struggle to pay their rent in the province's super-heated economy.
"It's a new program put in place because of the thousands of people moving to Alberta in spite of issues tied to housing," he said. "There's jobs and opportunity here."
But NDP Leader Brian Mason said Stelmach should be taking responsibility for a badly managed program.
"People administering this program were told to just push the money out the door," Mason said in an interview. "Mr. Stelmach needs to stand up and be accountable for that."
The Liberal Opposition is calling for an auditor general's investigation of the housing fund. Housing critic Dave Taylor said there needs to be a thorough review of whether there has been widespread abuse of the program.
Taylor has written a letter of concern to Auditor General Fred Dunn asking for an immediate investigation. A spokesman for Dunn said the office is reviewing the request and expects to respond within days.
Share Tools
Latest Edmonton News Headlines
- Police chief apologizes to former employee over racism
- Edmonton's chief of police has apologized to one of the department's former employees who says the racist behaviour of her boss and colleagues forced her to leave her job. more »
- Edmonton trustees named marshals of gay pride parade

- Trustees from the Edmonton Public School Board will be the honorary marshals at this year's gay pride parade. more »
- ATV collision kills teen near Hinton
- An 18-year-old male died Thursday after he was thrown from his all-terrain vehicle near Hinton. more »
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- Around 60 new ambulances will soon be whizzing across the province thanks to a large purchase by Alberta Health Services. more »
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Severe storm in Quebec leaves damage in its wake
- Trees were uprooted, roofs damaged and windows shattered as severe thunderstorms, and possibly a tornado, rattled through southwestern Quebec Friday night. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest

- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope's butler was arrested earlier in the week in connection with an embarrassing document leaks scandal. more »
- Former MLA questions need for Alberta Party
- Police chief apologizes to former employee over racism
- ATV collision kills teen near Hinton
- Edmonton trustees named marshals of gay pride parade
- Oil spill clean-up underway in northern Alberta
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- Edmonton toddler killed by SUV in parking lot
- Hobbema youth dispel stereotypes with photography
- Garlic mustard spreading in Mill Creek Ravine

