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

[burn_this_city]

Is this province actually running an $8B deficit? Put me in the who cares category, she worked closely with Mandela at one point.

[Dion]

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.

Redford travels all the time and had to have some idea of the costs associated with the trip. For her to say she was surprised by the costs is utter BS. Plus it's always someone elses fault as she never takes responsibility for her actions. It would be nice to hear her say "sorry I made a mistake" but that will never happen.

That trip had nothing to do with government business. I get that she worked with Mandela in the past and wanted to go, but the costs should have been paid by Redford and not the taxpayers.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I'm not defending the expenditure...however, I'm not onside with the pitchfork and torches that the taxpayers bring out when they think that politicians are spending too much. I understand that it speaks to trust in your public officials...but how exactly is being uber-frugal going to improve the Governance of our province?

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Zarley

2 people to go to Ottawa is ridiculous.

Actually, it is $15K for a private jet to Ottawa for one. Because her assisstant was not allowed to be in on Harper's plane, her assistant went alone for $20K. By my research, it's a first class ticket from Calgary to SA for her assisstant.

[undercoverbrother]

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 would like to see the itinerary, 3 yrs ago the best I found was $1300 and it was a ####ing milk run.

[burn_this_city]

Not that I'm terribly pleased with either the Federal or Provincial governments, but this along with the Senate scandal are stupid distractions. Talk about falling over dollars to save pennies. Do either of these scandals amount to more than a rounding error on the government budget? No. It's a waste of time acting incredulous about this but fail to investigate real government waste in the magnitude of millions.

[1stLand]

It is not so much the $45,000 flight that should be cause for concern.

It is the fact that this type of Tax Payer money being wasted is probably widespread throughout the government and just not being scrutinized by the media or investigated.

Redford strikes me as someone that is a millionaire many times over.
She doesn't care about saving tens of thousands of government monies. Its pocket change to her.

We need a Premier that comes from more humble means.
Someone that values taxpayers money.

Someone that knows how hard it is to earn a living.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I would like to see the itinerary, 3 yrs ago the best I found was $1300 and it was a ####ing milk run.

I already posted it.

[Shawnski]

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

I can understand that perspective.

But this was 450,000 dimes, or 900,000 nickels.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I already posted it.

oops missed that

[Brannigans Law]

my favourite part of all this is this woman spent 45,000 on hard earned tax dollars on something that could have been done for a fraction of the cost. but hey no bigs, its just 45,000! we run a huge budget deficit. its loose change for gods sake.

yet harper and other members of her party provincially and federally will insist on shutting down places like this:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-s...-ass-1.2517426

[nik-]

Does the WildRose ever do anything but complain about Redford? Have they ever presented any real reasonable policy or alternatives. All I ever hear from them is soundbites complaining constantly.

Do they realize how whiny they sound, like just how non-solution providing and whiny they sound?

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

my favourite part of all this is this woman spent 45,000 on hard earned tax dollars on something that could have been done for a fraction of the cost. but hey no bigs, its just 45,000! we run a huge budget deficit. its loose change for gods sake.

yet harper and other members of her party provincially and federally will insist on shutting down places like this:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-s...-ass-1.2517426

This.

Almost the whole trip was paid for by the Federal government, and she managed to blow $45K.

[1stLand]

I take back what I said.

Watching the Fake Sign Language Signer in person was well worth $45,000

Signing at the Funeral:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hCdtUxnOG8

Signing at the ANC 100 Year Party:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzRSE_p1Ys
- 'Machine Gunning Boers' Signing. That isn't concerning at all.

[Sliver]

The most shocking thing in this story is that we'd be so irresponsible as to throw all of our federal and provincial leaders on one airplane. That's begging for trouble.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by 1stLand

I take back what I said.

Watching the Fake Sign Language Signer in person was well worth $45,000

Signing at the Funeral:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hCdtUxnOG8

Signing at the ANC 100 Year Party:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzRSE_p1Ys
- 'Machine Gunning Boers' Signing. That isn't concerning at all.

Having been to SA, this does not surprise me.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

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

Right. $45,000 to go to a funeral just so she can avoid all other politicians and not mingle too.

Come on, man.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by nik-

Does the WildRose ever do anything but complain about Redford? Have they ever presented any real reasonable policy or alternatives. All I ever hear from them is soundbites complaining constantly.

Do they realize how whiny they sound, like just how non-solution providing and whiny they sound?

I'm not sure how your comments apply to Redford's trip expenses. It seems like you are just doing what you're accusing the Wild Rose party of doing. Complaining for the sake of complaining.

[Jacks]

Not surprised by this at all, you might all remember that she spent $500K to go to the London Olympics with her entourage including over 100K for unused hotel rooms.

She could have flown first class to Ottawa and back (without here assistant) and saved a ton of money but why should she care about that? not her money.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by nik-

Does the WildRose ever do anything but complain about Redford? Have they ever presented any real reasonable policy or alternatives. All I ever hear from them is soundbites complaining constantly.

Do they realize how whiny they sound, like just how non-solution providing and whiny they sound?

I think you're completely missing the point. Do you defend her right to spend $45k of tax payer money on her trip? And then claim that "she didn't know"?