Alberta separatist group reprimanded for breaking third-party advertiser rules

The Alberta Prosperity Project has been found in violation of breaching third-party advertising rules following Alberta's October referendum. According to a letter of reprimand issued to the separatist group by Elections Alberta, they failed to register as a third-party advertiser in two incidents, resulting in a warning. The letter, provided to us by Alberta Prosperity Project, references one instance where the group spent more than $1,000 on online advertising, and another involving a highway billboard. A financial consultant with Alberta Prosperity Project says the non-profit did everything they could to make sure there were no violations on their end. They purposely set out to do everything that they possibly could to not be a third-party advertiser and have nothing to do with the petition campaign. So that's why it was so shocking. Despite Elections Alberta issuing this letter of reprimand the agency says the Alberta Prosperity Project isn't facing any fines for either of its violations. They honestly thought there would be thousands of dollars worth of fines levied against them. On the other side of the separation debate the Forever Canadian group also got its wrist slapped by Elections Alberta. But the group says the agency has been nothing but helpful in clarifying the rules for all participants. It's unfortunate to see that some of the participants in the process chose to ignore the rules. The Alberta Prosperity Project say they won't be pushing back against these violations as they didn't result in any fines. Tristan Mottershead, CBC News, Edmonton.