The AEUB / PI Mess - Rainbow Investigations Comments

There is little doubt the AEUB mess in Alberta during the summer of 2007 provided great fodder for the media, and directly led to the subsequent restructuring of energy regulation in Alberta. Perhaps, in hindsight that is a good thing.

Most of the public blame for this situation has been centered on the AEUB, and their former Security Unit. However, the AEUB situation also appears to have affected the public’s already low perception of the private investigation industry.

In reviewing the circumstances from the Red Deer hearings on the Alta transmission line application, there is no question in our mind the AEUB hearings were becoming dysfunctional. It clearly is discomforting when inappropriate sarcasm, demonstrations, and booing and jeering start taking over control on what should be an important public regulatory process.

However, we think that the former AEUB security unit mis-read the relative risk of violence, and how to deal with the meetings’ general dysfunction. There is a big difference between threats of violence, and inappropriate, disrespectful sarcasm.

We agree with retired Justice Perras, that the situation would have been better handled by having a visible security presence at subsequent meetings. Also, the rules of conduct at the meetings needed to be aired at the commencement of the meetings. Had such been done, we feel a lot of the problems of the meeting would have been under control.

We don’t feel that the hired PI’s acted in any inappropriate manner per se, with the possible exception of listening in on the conference call (which was approved by the AEUB). But again, we don’t really see why the AEUB felt this type of action was necessary.

Unfortunately, this incident has again put a negative spin on our industry. Private Investigators don’t have any formal guidelines as to what is an appropriate file and what is inappropriate. So our individual judgment in taking on files is crucial.

We all have to be on guard, that everything, and anything we do, could be in the public eye.

Date of Story: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Story Posted By: Ron Reinhold
Source: Ron Reinhold

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