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

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Except that Harper theoretically had to open a fire exit in the Stadium for Redford and the other premieres to get in. Like my parents used to kick open the fire escape at the theatre so us kids could sneak into movie night.

When Redford and the other Premiere's got to the funeral they were told that there weren't any seats reserved for them at the service.

While this might seem odd by first world standards, it is completely normal by South Africian third world standards.

I would not read too much into it.

[GP_Matt]

Out of curiosity, has Redford ever admitted publicly to a mistake?
I can think of a lot of examples where she claimed to not know what was going on but have never heard an admission of fault.

I don't think anyone would be talking about this if she had simply admitted that it was an oversight and they won't let it happen again.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Is there a breakdown of her costs?

The fact that Stephen MacNeil's trip cost less than $1,000 and Redford's trip cost 45 time that, I'd want to know why.

If the roles were reversed there would be an outcry for an audit from the Auditor General.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Is there a breakdown of her costs?

The fact that Stephen MacNeil's trip cost less than $1,000 and Redford's trip cost 45 time that, I'd want to know why.

If the roles were reversed there would be an outcry for an audit from the Auditor General.

$14,992. Redford takes government plane to Ottawa to catch Prime Minister Stephen Harper's plane to South Africa.
$10,000. Redford's assistant flies commercial to South Africa as he was not permitted on Harper plane.
$20,000. Redford and assistant spend $10,000 each to take early commercial flight back from South Africa so premier can attend swearing-in of her new cabinet.
Total cost: $44,992

http://www.montrealgazette.com/busin...666/story.html

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

Out of curiosity, has Redford ever admitted publicly to a mistake?
I can think of a lot of examples where she claimed to not know what was going on but have never heard an admission of fault.

I don't think anyone would be talking about this if she had simply admitted that it was an oversight and they won't let it happen again.

I was thinking the same...she is hesitant to accept personal responsibly and is quick to assign blame on others.

In my mind this trip was predominantly about her own personal interests, and I don't think one taxpayer's dime should have been spent on this.

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

I was thinking the same...she is hesitant to accept personal responsibly and is quick to assign blame on others.

In my mind this trip was predominantly about her own personal interests, and I don't think one taxpayer's dime should have been spent on this.

I am okay with some money, but if it is a mix of personal and pleasure then maybe sacrificing a bit of comfort and catching the red eye first class flight to Toronto is acceptable. As well, both the funeral and swearing in ceremony are largely ceremonial so maybe she needs to decide which one to attend.
Especially after the childish way that some of the PC members acted at the swearing in after the last election.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

The problem for Redford is she's too stupid or too arrogant to curtail things while the cross hairs are completely on her. She continues to fumble over her own two feet while secretly her party applauds it in the hopes that the pressure will get to be too much and she'll step down.

On top of that when she got there she wasn't on the funeral guest list and had to basically sneak in, Canada didn't really need to fly premieres down to South Africa.

at the end of the day, I have my doubts that she or her party are going to win the next election, they haven't done a good enough job at anything to be able to sneak in with the Wildrose are this generations Nazi party (godwin yo) stuff that worked last time.

Thanked for this part. This is Redford in a nutshell.

[Rathji]

She spent too much, but I have no problems with her going.

[KelVarnsen]

I am shocked, and I mean shocked that Rerun started this thread.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

I am shocked, and I mean shocked that Rerun started this thread.

Came looking for a KelVarnsen dig at rerun, wasn't surprised

[Turner]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

She's either incredibly ignorant or just plain stupid.

Entitled.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Dion

Came looking for a KelVarnsen dig at rerun, wasn't surprised

I don't think it' a surprise when anyone takes a dig at Rerun. He's like a giant sandbox.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Turner

Entitled.

Haha, you're turnedthecorner, aren't you?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by flameswin

I don't think it' a surprise when anyone takes a dig at Rerun. He's like a giant sandbox.

Doesn't make it right.

[Hot_Flatus]

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

Don't know about you but when you travel on business its not common practice to book more expensive options when cheaper arrangements can be made.

Since when did provincial politics become more about glamor then actually serving the public? Someone's ability or access to rack up expenses should have zero merit to their ability to do the job.

Either way, there's no reason to be surprised by this. For every story like this there's more then likely 50 others we never hear about regarding this ignoramus' travel and expenses.

[Mr.Coffee]

I think it's wrong because of her intention in going. She knew Mandela and had a personal relationship (err... allegedly, how strong that relationship was could probably be argued but nevertheless).

So she knew this guy, he was a mentor or a friend or whatever. If I had a friend or mentor die and I wanted to go to the funeral, I wouldn't book a first class ticket and then expense it to my company. That's all I know. In fact I'd pay for it on my own because it's my business that I want to be there.

Having said all of the above and the seemingly questionable ethics of what's transpired, this does seem like a "looking at the trees instead of the forest" kinda issue. I am sure there are more important issues that should be uncovered by local media concerning the government.

[Slava]

I think the funniest part is everyone somehow suggesting that Redford spent too much in comparison to the NS premier. Why did he go in the first place? He had no ties to Mandela. Clearly he spent 1000 times more than he should've in this situation, but hey its a "free" trip. For some reason the fact that all of Canada paid for him is better. Its amusing.

Did Redford spend more money than she could've? Probably. Its a business trip. As if anyone in their right mind traveling for business and writing the whole thing off or expensing it looks for layovers, coach seats and rickshaws to save a few bucks. Traveling sucks (the actual travel, not the seeing new places and doing cool stuff, before anyone roasts me for that).

There are a lot of hypocrites here who would have Redford do everything she can to save a nickel, but wouldn't think twice about a fancy restaurant if a business was buying. Its amusing, and please don't let me stop you!

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Slava

I think the funniest part is everyone somehow suggesting that Redford spent too much in comparison to the NS premier. Why did he go in the first place? He had no ties to Mandela. Clearly he spent 1000 times more than he should've in this situation, but hey its a "free" trip. For some reason the fact that all of Canada paid for him is better. Its amusing.

Did Redford spend more money than she could've? Probably. Its a business trip. As if anyone in their right mind traveling for business and writing the whole thing off or expensing it looks for layovers, coach seats and rickshaws to save a few bucks. Traveling sucks (the actual travel, not the seeing new places and doing cool stuff, before anyone roasts me for that).

There are a lot of hypocrites here who would have Redford do everything she can to save a nickel, but wouldn't think twice about a fancy restaurant if a business was buying. Its amusing, and please don't let me stop you!

But a business isn't buying.
We are.
Surprised that even needs to be pointed out.

We aren't talking about some marginally more expensive to give her preferred travel arrangements. She made decisions for her own comfort that resulted in a massive overspend.

It all adds up.

I'm stunned anyone can try to defend this.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

But a business isn't buying.
We are.
Surprised that even needs to be pointed out.

We aren't talking about some marginally more expensive to give her preferred travel arrangements. She made decisions for her own comfort that resulted in a massive overspend.

It all adds up.

I'm stunned anyone can try to defend this.

Its the same thing though, the employer is paying. Its virtually the same as anyone else traveling for business.

[Rerun]

Expensive travel certainly is a trend for Redford.

Last month, Redford and her advisers toured India on a trade mission. She then went to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. The cost for that trip was estimated at $120,200.

The Edmonton Journal and the Calgary Herald have reported overall travel spending has gone up under Redford to well over $700,000 in 2013 and is already more than $200,000 in 2014.


And then again, who can forget the $500,000 trip to the summer Olympics in London in 2012?

Redford and friends certainly are getting to live the high life since she became premier... at our expense I might add.