Pocklington is Gone But Feelings Remain

John Short

Published

4 years ago

5 minute read

Pocklington is Gone But Feelings Remain

Conflict decorates every yard of the sports world’s journey these days. If you can find an easy yes or no on such issues as relaxing COVID-19 precautions and finding agreement on matters like schedules and salary levels that happen year after year, you’re much smarter than I am.

Given the size of this emotional upheaval, this is the perfect time for Peter Pocklington and all the controversial memories tied to his name to remind all of us. yes again, that there probably would no National Hockey League team in Edmonton but for him, and the brilliance shown by the 1980 Edmonton Oilers would not be part of this city’s, or this province’s remarkable hockey history.

All it took to get the old fires burning was a simple public letter in which Peter Puck congratulated captain/coach/general manager Kevin Lowe on his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In less than a day, this familiar question was raised in my hearing at least once: does Pocklington also belong in the Hall that welcomed Lowe, Oilers general manager Ken Holland and four others earlier this week?

Without the slightest doubt, many in and around Alberta believe his act of buying the Oilers when they were in the old World Hockey Association and later becoming an owner in the WHA and part of the 1979-80 National Hockey League expansion. The team’s massive record for much of the next decade provides strong unspoken testimony in his behalf.

Had Wayne Gretzky not been part of the WHA’s expansion package, it’s fair to argue the expansion might never have happened. Slim and young, the budding superstar was an Oiler only because of Pocklington’s transaction with old friend Nelson Skalbania, who lost ample amounts while operating the Indianapolis Racers, who never became part of any expansion talk.

Ultimately, as the record shows, Pocklington’s instincts and diminishing financial stability led to loss of team control after years of operating on a line of credit with Alberta Treasury Branches. Money was exchanged, in addition to players, in the vast majority of trades under the control of Pocklington and Glen Sather.

Gretzky brought about $15 million from the Los Angeles Kings. “I was not traded,” Wayne said. “I was sold.”

Promising centre Jimmy Carson came to Alberta as part of the swap and later netted $5 million when he went to the Detroit Red Wings. Mark Messier, Jari Kurri and Paul Coffey also brought cash when they were moved.

David Cruise, co-author of a later book on hockey’s finances, summed things up, “The picture’s clear; the Oilers trade their assets for money.” A parallel was drawn between athletes and automobiles: “Buy the car, get as much mileage out of it as you can, then you sell it just before the block breaks.”

Many parallels have been drawn between Pocklington, found guilty in more than a few financial free-for-alls outside of hockey, and former Toronto Maple Leafs president Harold Ballard, the team’s alternate governor when the Leafs won Stanley Cups in 1962, 1963 and 1967 – the last time the Leafs have taken home the championship.

Ballard also spent time in jail, convicted on up to 47 charges of fraud. He embarrassed many Leaf greats, notably Darryl Sittler, Lanny MacDonald and Dave Keon, as well as respected coach Roger Neilson. In addition, Pal Hal defied NHL president John Ziegler on many resolutions – once refusing to put players names on jerseys.

But Ballard is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Pocklington is on the outside. According to numerous critics, that’s where he belongs. It seems reasonable to bet the debate will rise again. Probably next year, at Hall of Fame selection time.

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Related Topics:feature John Short Peter Pocklington

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Former senior financial advisor charged with embezzling millions from Red Deer area residents

Published on April 26, 2024

Todayville

News release from Alberta RCMP

Former senior financial advisor charged for misappropriating nearly $5 million from clients

On April 4, 2024, the RCMP’s Provincial Financial Crime Team charged a Calgary resident for fraud-related offences after embezzling millions of dollars from his clients while serving as a senior financial advisor.

Following a thorough investigation, the accused is alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn funds from client accounts and deposited them into bank accounts he personally controlled. A total of sixteen victims were identified in the Red Deer area and suffered a combined loss of nearly $5 million.

Marc St. Pierre, 52, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:

Fraud over $5,000 contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; and,
Theft over $5,000 contrary to section 344(a) of the Criminal Code.

St. Pierre is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on May 14, 2024.

“The ability for financial advisors to leverage their position to conduct frauds and investment scams represents a significant risk to the integrity of Alberta’s financial institutions. The investigation serves as an important reminder for all banking clients to regularly check their accounts for any suspicious activity and to report it to their bank’s fraud prevention team.”

Sgt. John Lamming, Provincial Financial Crime Team

The Provincial Financial Crime Team is a specialized unit that conducts investigations relating to multi-jurisdictional serious fraud, investments scams and corruption.

Alberta

Political parties will be part of municipal elections in Edmonton and Calgary pilot projects

Published on April 25, 2024

Government of Alberta

Strengthening Alberta’s local elections

Alberta’s government is introducing legislation to ensure Albertans can rely on transparent, free and fair elections, and municipally-elected officials have clearer accountability measures.

In a democratic society, Albertans expect their local elections to be free and fair, and their elected officials to be held to account by clear rules that govern their local councils. The Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act proposes amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to add greater transparency to local election processes and ensure local councils and elected officials continue to remain accountable to the citizens who elected them.

“Our government is committed to strengthening Albertans’ trust in their local governments and the democratic process that elects local leaders. The changes we are making increase transparency for Alberta voters and provide surety their votes will be counted accurately. We know how important local democracy is to Albertans, and we will work with local authorities to protect and enhance the integrity of local elections.”

Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs

Local Authorities Election Act

Albertans expect free and fair elections and that’s why it’s important we strengthen the rules that govern local elections. To strengthen public trust in local elections, Alberta’s government will eliminate the use of electronic tabulators and other automated voting machines. All Albertans should be able to trust the methods and results of local elections; requiring all ballots to be counted by hand, clarifying rules and streamlining processes for scrutineers will provide voters greater assurance in the integrity of the results.

All eligible Albertans should be able to vote in local elections without impediment. Alberta’s government will limit the barriers for eligible voters to cast a ballot by expanding the use of special ballots. Currently, special ballots can only be requested for very specific reasons, including physical disability, absence from the municipality, or for municipal election workers. By expanding the use of special ballots, the government is encouraging more voter participation.

Amendments in the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act would increase transparency in local elections by enabling political parties at the local level. Political parties would be enabled in a pilot project for Edmonton and Calgary. The act will not require candidates to join a political party in order to run for a local or municipal office, but will create the opportunity to do so.

In addition, proposed changes to the Local Authorities Election Act would allow municipalities the option to require criminal record checks for local candidates, thus increasing transparency and trust in candidates who may go on to become elected officials.

Municipal Government Act

The role of an elected official is one with tremendous responsibility and expectations. Changes proposed to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) will strengthen the accountability of locally elected officials and councils. These include requiring mandatory orientation training for councillors, allowing elected officials to recuse themselves for real or perceived conflicts of interest without third-party review and requiring a councillor’s seat to become vacant upon disqualification.

If passed, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act will also unlock new tools to build affordable and attainable housing across Alberta. Proposed amendments under the MGA would also create more options for municipalities to accelerate housing developments in their communities. Options include:

Exempting non-profit, subsidized affordable housing from both municipal and education property taxes;
Requiring municipalities to offer digital participation for public hearings about planning and development, and restricting municipalities from holding extra public hearings that are not already required by legislation; and
Enabling municipalities to offer multi-year residential property tax exemptions.

Municipal Affairs will engage municipalities and other partners over the coming months to hear perspectives and gather feedback to help develop regulations.

Quick facts

The LAEA establishes the framework for the conduct of elections in Alberta municipalities, school divisions, irrigation districts and Metis Settlements.
The MGA establishes the rules governing the conduct of local elected officials once on council, as well as the overall administration and operation of municipal authorities in Alberta, including any policy those authorities may wish to implement.