Assembly of First Nations (AFN) canditate Russ Diabo has stated he believes the federal government has undue influence over the AFN. Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett was invited to speak to the Alberta caucus. Diabo felt that some of her comments could be construed as a message not to vote for him. He consulted a lawyer, but there is no legal course of action he can take. He plans to focus on change through political action.