The Progressive Conservative leadership race became the tale of two Ted Mortons this week after questions emerged over a second email account Morton used and records that appeared to have been destroyed when he left cabinet.
The CBC broke the story about Morton’s second email account, which he used for internal communication with staff, and used the name “Frederick Lee,” Morton’s given names.
In an email exchange with a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) officer the network uncovered, the FOIP officer is told the minister’s office has no electronic or paper record of Morton’s correspondence.
“No luck with paper – our office staff shredded all our documents when Dr. Morton resigned from cabinet,” wrote the minister’s assistant, Eric Taylor.
The allegations have been enough to intrigue the information and privacy commissioner to launch an investigation into the issue.
“The commissioner just feels that they are pretty serious allegations and that warrants us investigating to see if there has been any breach of FOIP,” said spokesperson Wayne Wood.
In light of the political ramifications of the issue, Wood said the commissioner hopes to move quickly on the file, but he couldn’t promise it would be completed before the first ballot.
“He has indicated that he would like it fast-tracked, so that likely means a matter of weeks — highly unlikely that it would be completed before the first vote in the leadership.”
Wood said there is no blanket regulation about minister’s emails, but he said when people look for information about specific government initiative or legislation, they often ask for any emails about that topic.
“It is more of an issue-driven process than it is a name-driven process.”
Morton’s spokesperson, Ryan Sparrow, said the leadership candidate does not believe he did anything wrong and he does not think the CBC’s allegations are correct.
“Absolutely not. The minister’s office followed all the rules and guidelines.”
Sparrow said having one email for public consumption and another for internal communication is not uncommon, and Morton’s secret account was a government one with his name.
“The premier has said he does the same practice and the deputy premier, who is also a leadership candidate.”
Sparrow said any deletion the minister’s office performed is immaterial because the records are still maintained.
“If it is a government email, which this was, they are still within the government server.”
Sparrow said, with all of that in mind, Morton is happy to have the commissioner look into the issue.
“Clearly, there is some clarity that needs to be brought to the issues, and I think the privacy commissioner’s spokesperson said that today.”
He said they welcome the investigation into the issue and, while they hope it will be resolved quickly, they also recognize the commissioner has to conduct a thorough investigation.
