Redford's trip to South Africa cost Alta taxpayers $45,000

[Rerun]

Too much? Should she have stayed home? Should she pay for the trip out of her own pocket since there were cheaper travel options for her?

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/02/05...o-south-africa

She seemed surprised that it would cost $15,000 to fly in a private jet to Ottawa to catch a flight with the PM. Is she brain dead?

When do we start holding all politicians accountable (and not just Senators) for the extravagant spending of the taxpayers dollars for trips of dubious value/benefit, around the world?

Alberta is in an 8 billion dollar deficit. When does the gravy train stop? Shouldn't our ruling politicians be trying to set an example of frugality instead of doing and then apologizing afterwards?

Saying sorry... I didn't expect it to cost so much just doesn't cut it.

[Looch City]

I like how she has the audacity to use the old "I wasn't aware" excuse.

Who goes on a trip without knowing how much it's going to cost?

She's either incredibly ignorant or just plain stupid.

[Ozy_Flame]

For the record, the Nova Scotia premier got to Africa for less than $1000. That's pretty damn good even for regular folks!

[darklord700]

$20K so Redford's aid could be at the funeral with her? Why does she need her aid to be there at a funeral other than making Redford look like an important person there?

$15K for a private jet flight to Ottawa so Redford wouldn't need to fly red eye.

$10K to save a few hours waiting with Harper. Total is $45K that includes a free flight from Ottawa to South Africa with Harper.

Why does Redford need to be in South Africa for Madela's funeral to begin with?

It is no wonder our province's finance is in the shape it is in with this woman at the helm.

$45K is insignificant in face of the billions of deficit Alberta is facing. But this kind of behavior pattern is exactly why we'll never get out of the deficit hole.

BTW, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil’s trip to South Africa cost that province’s taxpayers just $946.44.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

For the record, the Nova Scotia premier got to Africa for less than $1000. That's pretty damn good even for regular folks!

I'm actually wondering how that's even possible! Between airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and meals for a few days, how does one travel from Canada to SA for less than a grand?

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'm actually wondering how that's even possible! Between airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and meals for a few days, how does one travel from Canada to SA for less than a grand?

Didn't everyone pile into Harpers jet, so technically there was no cost for airfare because Harper was going regardless.

In response to an inquiry from CBC News, McNeil's director of communications, Kyley Harris, said the Nova Scotia costs were for a return flight to Ottawa and one night's accommodation in that city.
"All other costs were covered by the federal government. No meals or incidentals were claimed," Harris said.
"The night in Ottawa was required because when the flight from South Africa arrived in Ottawa, the last flight to Halifax for the night had already departed."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-s...-you-1.2521551

[jammies]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'm actually wondering how that's even possible! Between airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and meals for a few days, how does one travel from Canada to SA for less than a grand?

He probably stayed at a hostel and ate out of garbage cans, as befits a representative of one of the richest countries on the planet.

Not that I think it should have cost $45000 for Redford to go, but then I question the point of going at all. Last I checked Alberta wasn't a sovereign country whose representatives should be expected to attend the funeral of a former head of state of some other country, regardless of the stature of said statesman.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'm actually wondering how that's even possible! Between airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and meals for a few days, how does one travel from Canada to SA for less than a grand?

Airmiles, Frequent flyer points?


$45k? Good lord.

I've been pretty loyal to the Conservatives, but her gross ignorance to the spending on her very own trip, causes me to wonder where else she's applied the same thinking.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'm actually wondering how that's even possible! Between airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and meals for a few days, how does one travel from Canada to SA for less than a grand?

Lobster barter

[para transit fellow]

It is disappointing that this kind of behaviour seems endemic to the people to accept the position of Alberta Premier

http://www.scribd.com/doc/205030273/Klein-Charters

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'm actually wondering how that's even possible! Between airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and meals for a few days, how does one travel from Canada to SA for less than a grand?

That was the cost for him to fly from Nova Scotia to Ottawa. He then caught a free flight on PM Harper's plane to and from South Africa (already paid out of federal funds). Not sure who covered the accommodations/meals.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

I like how she has the audacity to use the old "I wasn't aware" excuse.

Who goes on a trip without knowing how much it's going to cost?

She's either incredibly ignorant or just plain stupid.

To be fair, it wasn't a planned trip, she was going for a funeral, an event which by its very nature is unanticipated and occurs on a short time frame thus making it near impossible to know all of the costs ahead of time. I do think that this cost too much money though and it is unfortunate. Also I highly doubt that the leader of the province is booking her own flights, so I don't doubt that she has no idea what it would cost.

[Tyler]

Yes, let's continue to nickel and dime our leaders. So much so that no one credible will ever want to get into politics because we publicly shame them whenever they take advantage of one of the few perks of public service

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Yes, let's continue to nickel and dime our leaders. So much so that no one credible will ever want to get into politics because we publicly shame them whenever they take advantage of one of the few perks of public service

[darklord700]

I did a google flight check, picking only "FIRST CLASS" from Calgary to Johanessburg.

http://www.google.ca/flights/#search...3-08;sc=f;eo=e

Return flights cost between $15K to $20K. Had she booked first class return tickets for $20K without hitchicking with Harper, that would already be outrageously expensive and bad money management.

But Redford spent $15K just to fly from Calgary to Ottawa to join Harper, that was just dumb.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

To be fair, it wasn't a planned trip, she was going for a funeral, an event which by its very nature is unanticipated and occurs on a short time frame thus making it near impossible to know all of the costs ahead of time. I do think that this cost too much money though and it is unfortunate. Also I highly doubt that the leader of the province is booking her own flights, so I don't doubt that she has no idea what it would cost.

And to be fair, just because she had previously "worked" with Mandella doesn't mean she needed to go to his funeral at all.

[mustache ride]

I am not a Redford fan. But I have no problem with tax dollars going towards this. She had, at a minimum, a professional relationship with one of the most influential people of the 20' th century. Could flights and details have been worked out in a more cost efficient manner? Yes. But it's a funeral not a business meeting. I am proud that our little corner of the world was represented at his funeral.

[Zarley]

As I stated in the earlier Mandela thread, I had absolutely no problem with her going to the funeral considering she would be on Harper's jet.

Having said that, I'm not exactly sure why she would need an assistant to go to a funeral nor why she would need to take a private plane to Ottawa as opposed to flying commercially. No need to fly coach, business class would be fine by me - but a private jet for 2 people to go to Ottawa is ridiculous.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

I am not a Redford fan. But I have no problem with tax dollars going towards this. She had, at a minimum, a professional relationship with one of the most influential people of the 20' th century. Could flights and details have been worked out in a more cost efficient manner? Yes. But it's a funeral not a business meeting. I am proud that our little corner of the world was represented at his funeral.

I'd be curious to know who in South Africa, at Mandela's funeral, was eager to meet the Alberta Premier in a manner that couldn't be accomplished over the phone.

[mustache ride]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I'd be curious to know who in South Africa, at Mandela's funeral, was eager to meet the Alberta Premier in a manner that couldn't be accomplished over the phone.

Who cares. She was there to pay her respects, not negotiate trade deals.