Day 13
Note: I am a poor note-taker and these summaries will contain errors and omissions which will reflect my limitations. My intention is to report on the facts as accurately as possible although a subconscious bias may creep in. I can only provide glimpses into what I see as relevant and interesting events. My goal is to capture the essence of the day’s events rather than be comprehensive.
Read the reference documents: The Legal Case and Events Leading to Trial to obtain an understanding of the case and its history. Names and terms are abbreviated and defined in Glossary.
Overview
Day 13 featured testimony from three witnesses called by Caylan: The Honourable Jason Kenney, Matthew Solberg, and John Reid.
Their evidence addressed Caylan’s political trajectory, the falsity and impact of the Press Progress article, the conduct and credibility of Jivraj, the UCP’s internal response on March 18, and the consequences for Caylan’s campaign and future within the party.
The Honourable Jason Kenney
Background and Relationship with Caylan
Mr. Kenney described his extensive political career, including several federal ministries and serving as Premier of Alberta.
He first met Caylan at a political meet‑and‑greet in Calgary in 2017.
Caylan showed interest in Alberta politics and Mr. Kenney was impressed with her.
He was seeking young, intelligent, well‑spoken candidates, preferably female, who believed in conservative principles; Caylan fit the bill perfectly.
He described her as well‑read, articulate, and possessing a deep intellectual background with thoughtful views on human rights.
He considered her a star candidate and testified that he viewed her as cabinet material, with the education ministry specifically in mind for her.
Press Progress and Other False Narratives
Press Progress published an article claiming: • they met at a cocktail party • they met in Ontario • Caylan was a parachute candidate
Mr. Kenney testified that all three particulars were false.
He stated that Press Progress, the Toronto Star, and Mark Hlady each published false stories about the origins of his political relationship with Caylan.
Several promotional campaign videos were made featuring Caylan and Mr. Kenney.
Evidence Concerning Jivraj
In October 2017, Caylan told Mr. Kenney she had been friends with Jivraj, shared intellectual interests, and had exchanged extensive Facebook messages.
She also told him that Jivraj had begun acting irrationally, making threats, and behaving in a hostile manner.
Mr. Kenney first met Jivraj in 2015 when Jivraj became a federal Conservative candidate; he was initially impressed.
After Jivraj moved to Calgary, Mr. Kenney encountered him several times and recognized that Jivraj had a drinking problem and became loud and aggressive when inebriated.
He knew that Jivraj had been president of the Mountain View Riding Association and had been asked to resign.
March 18 and the Decision to Remove Caylan
Mr. Kenney recalled the damaging Press Progress article published on the night of March 18.
He knew Press Progress was a creation of the Broadbent Institute and the NDP.
His first reaction to the allegations was that they were ridiculous; he knew Caylan was deeply committed to human rights and human dignity.
He testified that it was transparently absurd to accuse her of racism.
The article gained political momentum: • the NDP issued a press release • Mayor Nenshi commented adversely • the Canadian Council of Muslims also commented
Mr. Kenney saw the attack as highly organized and was concerned further attacks would follow.
Caylan told Party HQ she could neither confirm nor deny the quotes because she had deleted her copies of the messages.
It was impossible for her to provide an explanation of her true beliefs in the time available.
There was a high risk of destabilizing the entire UCP campaign and Mr. Kenney was not prepared to jeopardize other candidates.
He made a very bitter decision and decided it was prudent to ask Caylan to step aside.
His decision was communicated to her by campaign staff.
Less than four hours elapsed between publication of the Press Progress article and Caylan’s resignation.
Aftermath
The UCP won the election and Mr. Kenney became Premier.
When the new government was formed, about 125 political staffing positions were available.
Campaign volunteers and unsuccessful candidates were often chosen for such positions.
Jeremy Wong, who replaced Caylan as the candidate and lost the election, was appointed to a government post.
Caylan was never considered for any position; she had become toxic to the party.
Cross‑Examination by Mr. Mack (Broadbent Institute)
Mr. Kenney did not read the quotes attributed to Caylan; staff read them to him.
He could not recall what defamatory material he personally reviewed.
He never spoke directly to Caylan on March 18.
He considered the attributed quotes contentious but not extreme.
He believed Caylan was a person of good faith with no hatred in her heart, devoted to human rights and religious freedom.
He did not believe she was a white supremacist or racist.
He compelled her resignation because of the prospect of further leaks and the inability to assess political risk.
Cabinet ministers can be shuffled or dismissed at any time for any number of reasons.
He condemned the remarks attributed to Caylan; he did not condemn Caylan.
Cross‑Examination by Ms. Cooper (Toronto Star)
The UCP never made Hlady’s nefarious conduct public.
At a press conference, Mr. Kenney said Caylan resigned because she did not want to become a distraction to the party.
He added: “Let me be clear I condemn the remarks.”
Re‑Direct Examination
Mr. Harison established that five or six unsuccessful UCP candidates or activists were appointed to senior political staff positions in the new government.
Mr. Kenney was excused.
Matthew Solberg
Background and Role
Mr. Solberg is a partner in a public affairs firm in Calgary.
He was the Director of Communications and spokesperson for the UCP in the 2019 election.
He first met Caylan in December 2018 after she won the nomination.
He learned that she was young, multilingual, and had strong philosophical and political views.
She was a star candidate representing the face the party wanted to present.
The Party produced several promotional videos featuring Caylan and Mr. Kenney.
Mountain View was a target seat for the UCP; they believed Caylan was the right candidate with the right message.
Evidence Concerning Jivraj
Caylan told Mr. Solberg about her long series of Facebook messages with Jivraj and that she had deleted her copies.
Mr. Solberg knew of: • the “fraudulent resident” letter • Jivraj’s unauthorized use of a private Party mailing list • his spurious accusations • his purchase of Caylan’s domain name • his attack ads • the anonymous “Too Good” letter sent to the entire Mountain View membership
The Toronto Star
Mr. Solberg had a good relationship with Toronto Star reporter Kieran Leavitt.
In early 2019 he told Kieran that Jivraj was not credible, had a history of spreading false stories about Caylan, was obsessed with her, and that she had deleted her copies of the messages.
March 18
In the late afternoon, Caylan texted Mr. Solberg advising that Press Progress was publishing an article containing quotes from the messages and that she could neither confirm nor deny them.
She wanted to respond; he told her not to.
By late evening, the Party recognized she could not continue.
She was asked to resign and prepared her resignation letter.
After her resignation, she became a pariah within the UCP—“radioactive”—and no one in the party or government could associate with her, even on social media.
After brief cross‑examination, Mr. Solberg was excused.
John Reid
Background and Role
Mr. Reid started a fibre‑optics company in Calgary in 2016; it was acquired by Bell in 2018. He now runs an advertising business.
He lived in Mountain View and was not involved in politics until 2017.
He was impressed by Caylan’s website, met her for coffee, and became involved in her campaign.
He was originally the volunteer coordinator and became campaign manager after she won the nomination.
He door‑knocked five days per week through the winter.
He learned during the nomination contest that there was a contentious history between Caylan and Jivraj.
The 2019 Campaign and March 18
Caylan won the nomination handily.
The 2019 campaign was exciting; they had strong fundraising, good name recognition, and confidence in electoral success.
On the night of March 18, Mr. Reid had organized volunteers to go door‑knocking.
Caylan pulled him aside and said a negative problem had arisen.
He believed she could weather any adversity because of the campaign’s momentum.
Upon returning to headquarters, he learned the Press Progress article had been published and the political damage was escalating.
He recalled Caylan receiving a call from UCP HQ and resigning.
Everyone was in shock.
Mr. Reid testified that Caylan never supported white nationalism, terrorism, or white supremacy.
The impact of her resignation created a pervasive feeling of helpless melancholy.
Mr. Reid never worked in politics again; he lost trust in journalism, politicians, and politics.
He recognized “why good people don’t go into politics.”
Comment
Mr. Kenney’s testimony made clear that Caylan would have been a cabinet minister had she been elected, and that he had the education ministry in mind for her.
He also highlighted Jivraj’s drinking problem and the seriousness of concerns about his conduct.
His decision to ask Caylan to resign was politically necessary, and she was sacrificed in the interests of the UCP.
Mr. Solberg’s evidence established that Toronto Star reporter Kieran Leavitt knew in early 2019 that Jivraj was a liar, obsessed with Caylan, and had a history of spreading false stories about her, and that she had deleted her copies of the messages.
Every derogatory story published by the Toronto Star after March 18 was published with knowledge of Jivraj’s character.
Mr. Reid’s evidence established that Caylan would have been elected but for Press Progress and Jivraj.
His statement that “good people don’t go into politics” is a saddening comment about the state of politics today.