Former Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu Sanctioned by Law Society
Alberta’s law society has formally reprimanded former provincial justice minister Kaycee Madu and ordered him to pay nearly $39,000 in costs. The sanction stems from a 2021 incident in which Madu, while serving as justice minister, phoned Edmonton’s police chief after receiving a traffic ticket for distracted driving. The Law Society of Alberta ruled that Madu’s actions undermined respect for the administration of justice.
Madu was pulled over on March 10, 2021, and issued a ticket. Upon arriving at his office, he called Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee to discuss the matter. An investigation by the Alberta government found that Madu had attempted to interfere with the administration of justice, leading to his removal from the justice portfolio in 2022. Madu has maintained that he did not ask for the ticket to be cancelled but instead sought reassurance that he was not being racially profiled or surveilled.
The Law Society panel, which found Madu guilty of conduct worthy of sanction last fall, emphasized that his actions were irresponsible and created the perception of impropriety. “Mr. Madu’s duties required him to avoid even the perception of impropriety,” the panel wrote in its October decision. During a virtual hearing on Monday, panel chair Tamela Coates delivered a formal reprimand, stating, “You have failed in your commitment and obligations as a lawyer.”
Madu’s lawyer, Perry Mack, argued that the public scrutiny and professional consequences Madu has faced—including losing his seat as MLA for Edmonton-South West in the 2023 election—were punishment enough. However, the panel rejected this request, stating that a formal reprimand was necessary to restore public faith in the justice system and the integrity of the legal profession.
Madu, who is appealing the guilty verdict, reiterated his innocence in a social media statement, saying he raised “reasonable concerns” about racial profiling and surveillance. The $39,000 in costs will remain stayed pending the outcome of his appeal. Since leaving government, Madu has returned to private law practice.