The province’s auditor general says former premier Alison Redford inappropriately used public resources while in office.
Merwan Saher says of the laundry list of scandals, there are recurring themes.
“One of the facts that is arguably the most troubling is the personal use of public assets. That’s a fact. That’s wrong,” he said.
Saher also spoke to Redford’s staff, who had the most direct hand in the planning of her travel.
He says they share the blame, but he won’t be naming them.
“I don’t intend to publicly name those parties because I don’t think it affects the quality of our finding. There was no personal benefit to those individuals. And I don’t intend to engage in scapegoating. And by that, I mean naming individuals who end up taking the blame for the shortcomings of others,” he said.
In his report, Saher called for more clarification around rules surrounding the overall usage of the government aircraft.
However, he says there’s an element of governing that doesn’t come down to rules and regulations.
“I was told early in my life – if you write a rule for everything, someone can find a way around it. So ultimately, people have to be governed by principles. What’s needed is a backbone of principles, not a corset of rules. And that’s stuck in my mind all of these years,” he said.
Finance Minister Doug Horner says the province will implement Saher’s six recommendations, and that work in some areas has already begun.
“Training sessions were held in June for Government of Alberta staff, who book travelling ministers’ and deputy ministers’ offices to ensure that all policies are followed, and that the most economical choices are made every time elected officials and public servants travel.”
Horner also acknowledged the scandal showed serious loopholes in policy.
“As the Auditor General recommended, this government must do a better job of explaining why we send government staff, elected and otherwise, around the province and around the world. And ensuring that we’re getting the best value for money,” he said.
Horner was also grilled about his actions during Redford’s term, as his ministry oversees the usage of the government aircraft.
But Horner says that while his staff coordinates reservations, it’s up to each ministry to have an appropriate reason for booking.
“The ministers who request the flights are responsible for using the plane appropriately, and they are also responsible for those who are scheduled to fly on it, period. This was the case long before I became minister responsible for the planes. In retrospect, should there have been a stronger, black-letter policy based on this unprecedented case? Yes, and we will make that happen,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the opposition Wildrose Party called for Horner’s resignation, which he said wasn’t a plan of his.
The case now shifts to the RCMP, who will conduct a completely independent investigation of Redford.
The former premier resigned from that post back in March, and from the legislature yesterday morning.
