EDMONTON — Opposition parties say it’s time for Premier Alison Redford to stop globe-trotting in high style and walk the talk on all Albertans living within their means.
Redford is being heavily criticized for billing taxpayers $45,000 to recently attend the funeral for former South African leader Nelson Mandela.
The Wildrose party says Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil attended the same event and charged taxpayers under $1,000.
Documents released last week revealed that Redford’s communications chief receives up to $1,800 a month in taxpayer-funded air travel.
It comes at a time when Redford has negotiated new contracts with doctors and teachers that include wage freezes and minimal hikes and has also revoked the right of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees to go to binding arbitration in collective bargaining. NDP Leader Brian Mason says the profligate spending shows disrespect to the people who pay the bills.