Signs of extravagance

The Alison Redford government isn’t the only administration to indulge in a giant selfie at taxpayer expense — erecting billboards in front of public projects in hopes of presenting a positive image of itself.

Governments of all stripes and at all levels have engaged in the questionable practice for decades, as if proud to advertise the fact they’re actually spending our money on something of value as opposed to something they might wish to conceal or not draw attention to.

But the revelation that the Alberta Tory government spent $1 million on 293 roadside placards in 2013 is jarring, even considering June’s devastating flood and the projects it has necessitated. The expectation, after all, is that the provincial government would use Albertans’ money to rebuild, mitigate future risks and engage in the myriad other projects that fall to the premier and her cabinet. As a comparison, the government spent $219,000 on 73 signs in 2012 and a relatively paltry $33,364 the year before.

At a minimum, it should be assumed, government advertising must serve some bigger purpose, such as informing the public of new regulations, changes to services or raising awareness of safety concerns, such as a flu pandemic. The fact the government is doing what it is tasked with doing shouldn’t warrant a billboard, no more than an employee boasts of showing up for work on time.

What’s worrisome about the $1-million expense is the fact the money would have been better spent on actual construction to recover from setbacks such as the flooding, rather than bragging, in some cases, of projects that have yet to be put out to tender.

“The signs are about ensuring Albertans know how their tax dollars are being spent,” Alberta Transportation press secretary Christine Way is quoted as saying.

She’s right, but the Redford government’s selfies don’t present a very flattering picture.