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| calgary.general | A very nice Canuck city, no libtard BS | 176,774 messages |
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| 27 Jun 14 18:53:59 |
XPost: can.politics, ab.politics, edm.general From: §pamßuster@nada.ca And still Albertans keep electing Conservative governments, scandal after scandal after scandal. Is that what they mean by rightwingers are not too bright? __________________________________________ news.nationalpost.com - Postmedia News | June 27, 2014 | New travel expenses still surfacing three months after Alison Redford resigned as Alberta premier Alberta Premier Alison Redford announces her resignation in Edmonton on March 19. Since then, the MLA continues to be plagued by revelations about her spending while in office. Jason Franson/Canadian PressAlberta Premier Alison Redford announces her resignation in Edmonton on March 19. Since then, the MLA continues to be plagued by revelations about her spending while in office. EDMONTON – As controversy brews over previously undisclosed expenses related to former premier Alison Redford’s time in office, Thomas Lukaszuk says it’s time the Calgary-Elbow MLA give “serious consideration” to resigning her seat. “I think she should give it very serious consideration now or perhaps that decision will be made for her later,” said Lukaszuk, one of three men vying to become the next Progressive Conservative party leader. He said Redford may not have a seat at the government caucus table if he becomes the next premier. “Some of the behaviour we have seen over time and as recently as yesterday, no one doing anything as such would be able to sit in my caucus,” the Edmonton-Castle Downs MLA said in Calgary Thursday morning. Documents released Thursday by the government show Redford’s travel missions cost hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the province previously disclosed. Michelle Tetreault, an employee of the government’s department of international and intergovernmental relations (IIR) claimed nearly $330,000 in expenses between May 31, 2012 and Jan. 26, 2014. IIR Minister Cal Dallas said Tetreault’s work was done at Redford’s request, who wanted a position dedicated to advanced planning work ahead of trade missions. “There’s always advance work that’s done, but specifically the former premier indicated requirements to have someone dedicated to doing the mission planning,” Dallas said. That position has since been eliminated, he said. Tetreault travelled to destinations such as China, India, Switzerland, Washington and Toronto to do preparation for the trips ahead of the premier. Most recently, Redford, several staff and government MLAs and ministers travelled to India and Davos, Switzerland in January at a cost of $131,000. Tetreault claimed $34,000 in airfare for two trips to India and a trip to Davos ahead of the trade mission. The planning costs were not included in the final mission reports released by the province. NDP leader Brian Mason said it’s hard to judge whether Albertans got value for the money spent to lay the groundwork for the former premier’s missions. “What I find a bigger problem with is it amounts to a very significant expense and that wasn’t included when they released costs and details of the premier’s travel,” Mason said. “It really forms what I think is part of a dismal pattern of hiding costs and essentially not being honest with Albertans.” Separate documents also showed Redford’s former executive assistant was given a job with the department of international and intergovernmental relations after leaving his position in the premier’s office. Ryan Barberio claimed more than $25,000 in hotel room expenses while working in Denver as a commercial officer for the province between September 2013 and April 2014. Barberio worked in an office at the Canadian consulate, doing trade and energy investment work, Dallas said. The position was originally meant to be short-term, but was extended after a request by the consul general, he added. “I would suggest to you in hindsight, which is easy, had we known that the consul general would approach us and ask for an extension to this, there would have been an opportunity to explore (a) lease arrangement-type accommodation.” Barberio no longer works for the province and the government doesn’t currently have anyone working in Denver, Dallas said. During her time as premier, Redford came under criticism from the opposition when it was revealed another aide, Brad Stables, claimed $9,000 for hotel rooms while working in Edmonton. Redford resigned as premier in March after weeks of fierce criticism over management style and expenses, including a $45,000 trip to South Africa in December for Nelson Mandela’s memorial. PC leadership candidate Jim Prentice said Thursday the latest revelations are concerning. “I’ve said time and time again I’m disappointed. That’s one of the reasons that I’m running for this position,” said Prentice, who has promised to put an end to so-called “sweetheart deals” for outgoing political staffers. In a statement, PC leadership candidate Ric McIver called the expenses “unacceptable.” “This issue is about setting the tone from the top. These types of expenses are unacceptable. I’ve always said my expenses are boring. If I’m leader and premier, I expect everyone’s expenses to be boring,” he said. Lukaszuk said he wasn’t aware of the expenses before they were revealed this week. “I find it shocking and frankly disgusting,” he said. “The fact is, some advance work needs to be made … but the cost that I have seen and the extent of travel that was performed is unprecedented.” --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2) |
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