An independent report has cleared top officials of the Alberta Securities Commission of allegations that they protected favoured companies and individuals from regulatory scrutiny, according to the province’s finance minister.

“The report indicates that the enforcement practices of the Alberta Securities Commission have been applied and continue to be applied consistently and fairly and with an even hand,” Shirley McClellan told the Alberta legislature Monday.

McClellan ordered an investigation into allegations that ASC chair Stephen Sibold and executive director David Linder had allowed or engaged in misconduct at the regulator.

Besides the allegations of selective enforcement, there were other allegations of interference in ASC cases and allegations that senior officials condoned a work environment that made some employees uncomfortable.

The allegations were detailed in a National Post story last month. Both Sibold and Linder immediately denied the allegations and challenged the paper’s unnamed sources to come forward.

Sibold has served the Post with notice that he intends to sue for defamation.

In a statement Monday, Sibold said he welcomed McClellan’s statement. “I would hope that having dismissed the allegations respecting enforcement, the minister will also dismiss the other allegations made by the same individuals,” Sibold said.