Ministers’ spending is under the microscope after the provincial government released the first batch of expense reports under a new policy on public disclosure.
Reports covering the four months following the spring election were released online Wednesday and reveal the cost of hotels, transportation and meals on the taxpayers’ dime.
Stephen Khan, St. Albert MLA and minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education, claimed more than $5,600 in the four-month period. Doug Horner, Spruce Grove-St. Albert MLA and minister of Finance, expensed roughly $11,500
“I think it responds well to the premier’s mission to have the most transparent and open expense policy and probably one of the tightest ones,” Horner said, adding it is the most vigorous policy in the country.
The policy took effect Oct. 1 and requires cabinet ministers, their senior staff and senior officials across government to disclose their expenses.
Horner’s expenses included numerous charges for gas, parking, meals and modest hotel stays, with the occasional splurge.
“I always check every expense that I have. There’s some that I would say I wish I would have been able to avoid, like the cancellation of a flight or two, but that’s part and parcel of doing business,” he said. “I try to be as frugal as I can within the bounds of running the ministry.”
A flight cancellation for a halted trip to China in September led to a $2,200 expense.
Horner expensed nearly $2,000 for a four-night stay at the Westin New York at Times Square, with a nightly charge of $419 before tax. He told members of the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce last month that he was invited to New York to discuss Alberta’s strong economy.
A dinner at Edmonton’s Violino Gastronomia Italiana in May cost taxpayers $262.94, and covered the tab for four ministers and two spouses – a decision Horner defends.
“There was a working dinner (ministers) and I had not too long ago where we were talking about the capital plan. We combined it with a dinner with our spouses and I think it’s fair to assume you’re going to pay the bill for everybody that’s at the dinner,” he said.
This practice is not permitted under the new policy, said Dave Prisco, press secretary for Service Alberta Minister Manmeet Bhullar, whose ministry is overseeing the new expense disclosure policy.
“The previous policy allowed for it, but with the new policy that came in on Oct. 1, it is no longer allowed,” Prisco said.
Khan was not able to speak to the St. Albert Gazette directly this week.
“The minister … is committed to ensuring we have the most open and transparent government in Canada,” said a statement released by his press secretary. “He knows that he is accountable to Albertans and is fully supportive of the expense disclosure policy.”
Khan’s expenses ranged from a $3 University of Alberta parking fee to nearly $2,500 claimed for a trip to Calgary for the stampede. The July trip included a four-night stay at the Westin Calgary, with a rate of $489 per night before tax plus a $38 per day valet parking fee.
Horner said although the Calgary Stampede trip is an expensive one attended by numerous ministers, it is beneficial to government. “It is the cost of doing business,” he said. “We do a lot of different things during the Stampede week as a caucus and as a cabinet.”
Khan also claimed nearly $1,400 for a three-day trip to Boston where he met with numerous companies during a biotechnology convention. He also expensed $268.90 on a room at the Westin Calgary that wasn’t used, as he decided to return to the constituency.
Ministers can apply to the Treasury Board committee for an exemption from all or part of the policy. Prisco said these exemptions would be a “very rare exception for matters that could relate to public safety or security.”
Derek Fildebrandt, Alberta director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said he’s pleased that the documents were released, as it gives taxpayers a clear indication how their money is being spent.
He said pre-election expenses will be released Dec. 14 as a result of a freedom of information request filed by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He said he expects these expenses to be grander because the policy at the time was less restrictive.
