SLAVE LAKE (660 NEWS) – In the wake of the controversy surrounding Alberta MLAs who travelled outside of the country, councillors in the town of Slave Lake are asking for MLA Pat Rehn to resign.
Rehn took a trip to Mexico over the holidays despite the recommendation of non-essential travel during the pandemic.
RELATED: Municipal Affairs Minister, Kenney’s Chief of Staff resign
A letter written to the lesser Slave Lake representative expresses council’s disappointment with his performance at the job.
Slave Lake Town Council wrote an open letter to MLA @PatRehnUCP expressing their displeasure with his performance as MLA for Lesser Slave Lake and the lack of proper representation for our Region. #abpoli @Alberta_UCP @jkenney #LesserSlaveLake https://t.co/xnZ6EBZ6XE pic.twitter.com/tASiSVo1JK
— Town of Slave Lake (@TownSlaveLake) January 5, 2021
Councillors also listed several grievances including a lack of hard work advocating for the interests of people living in the community.
The letter states that Rehn doesn’t live in the riding anymore, and apparently does not engage with citizens or officials.
RELATED: UCP Minister may lose cabinet spot as Albertans express frustration over MLAs’ Christmas vacations
The mayor and councillors say they have lost faith in his abilities and are asking for him to step down.
In response, Rehn posted a statement over Facebook, saying he is taking full responsibility for some “poor choices” he made around travel and that he does in fact live in Slave Lake.
It is the honour of a lifetime to represent a region I have lived and worked in since I bought my first quarter-section of trees and also my first sawmill in Wabasca using every penny I had in the bank. My statement below. pic.twitter.com/4vpG7Lokv7
— Pat Rehn (@PatRehnUCP) January 6, 2021
However, Rehn says he finds it very disappointing to see municipal officials seizing on this to try and sow political division at a difficult time.