Critic calls Tories’ $100,000 cabinet tour ‘ total waste’
Opposition says visits more campaigning than business
Last week’s controversial cabinet tour by the Alison Redford government cost taxpayers an estimated $100,000, the premier’s office revealed Wednesday.
About $77,000 was spent on government flights around the province, spokeswoman Kim Misik said.
The four-day trip saw Redford and her 20 cabinet ministers visit 25 cities and towns, attending community events and meetings with seniors, students, business leaders and others.
While the premier characterized the tour as regular government business to hear the viewpoints of Albertans, opposition parties called it pre-election campaigning paid for out of the public purse.
The provincial election will take place between March 1 and May 31.
Liberal finance critic Hugh MacDonald called the $100,000 bill a “total waste” of money.
“If they want to campaign, there is plenty of money in the PC party coffers for them to do it, rather than doing it on the taxpayer’s dime,” he said. “This is not sending a signal to Albertans that you are going to be responsible with their tax dollars.”
Wildrose MLA Paul Hinman said Redford is showing a lack of respect for public money.
“It’s just so disappointing that she does this when we’re having the struggles that we are, with this massive cash deficit,” he said. “I’d like to see how this fits into a zero-based budget.”
He said Albertans won’t be fooled into thinking that the money was spent in their best interests.
“What did they learn? What did it accomplish? If they want to talk to people they can do it over the phone, rather than grandstand. I think Albertans will be insulted.”
“Perhaps this is why Mr. Lloyd Snelgrove was so angry,” Macdonald said, referring to the former finance minister’s decision to leave the PC caucus. Prior to the move, Snelgrove had criticized the tour by calling it a “photo op for the pre-election.”
The Tory caucus is spending $ 70,000 over the next two days for a retreat at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The group will discuss the upcoming spring session.