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“I do not believe that Mr. McIver was intending to protect his wife’s business in asking the question. I believe that he was doing it for political gain. However, there could be unintended consequences that could benefit his wife.”

McIver’s wife, Christine, owns Brighter Futures Energy Inc., a subretailer that purchases electricity from UtilityNet and then sells it to customers with a small profit margin.

Trussler cannot impose sanctions but recommended as a penalty that McIver pay $500, apologize to the assembly and “recuse himself from any question period activity, debate or vote in relation to the electrical utility industry in Alberta for as long as his wife continues to have her business.”

It is believed to be the first time Alberta’s ethics commissioner has levelled a financial penalty on an MLA.

McIver said in an interview Wednesday that he was surprised by the findings but respected and accepted Trussler’s decision.

“Rules are rules, and we elected people need to be held to a high standard. I’m of the feeling I was held to a high standard and I was told I have to learn from this and do somethings differently in the future, and that’s what I will do,” said the Calgary-Hays MLA.

McIver said other members of the PC caucus will handle questions on the electrical utility debate. He said his wife will not relinquish her ownership of the business, a secondary occupation that brings in about $10,000 in annual income.

Edmonton-Manning MLA Heather Sweet, the NDP caucus chair who brought the complaint to the ethics commissioner, said that while Trussler found that McIver had not intentionally breached the act, “part of our responsibility (as MLAs) is to know what the Conflicts of Interest Act says we can and cannot do.”

“The PCs haven’t changed their ways . . . they’re looking out for their friends and family and not out for the best interests of Albertans,” said Sweet.

With files from Emma Graney

jwood@postmedia.com