Alberta Health panel chair still blowing tax dollars on chauffeured town cars for short trips
In February, it was revealed by the CTF in this press release that Calgary and South Mental Health Review Panel Chair Marilyn Smith expensed $26,895.67 in one year on town cars to transport herself and other panel members from Calgary to hearings in Canmore, Claresholm, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, according to the government’s expense disclosure website.
The distances between Calgary and those locations are all within one hour and 10 minutes to two hours and 45 minutes. Busses and shuttles are also available.
At the time, the CTF found that Smith’s town car use cost taxpayers over $1,000 per trip for 13 of her 27 town car rides.
When the CTF brought these expenses to the attention of Alberta Health, a spokesperson said they have directed their staff to use less expensive modes of transportation when possible:
“These are fair questions,” wrote Alberta Health Press Secretary Timothy Wilson. “While the use of a town car is less expensive than if the individuals drove or rented their own vehicles, we have directed our program staff who support these professionals to ask them to use rental vehicles when there is someone comfortable driving with passengers.”
At that time, the CTF praised Alberta Health for their efforts to get the problem under control and save taxpayer dollars.
Yet here we are with an expense from April 7th, wherein Smith blew $1,030.13 on a limosine and sedan service for hearings in Medicine Hat.
And another on May 30th, wherein Smith expensed a $788.56 town car ride from Lethbridge to Calgary and back.
On May 18th, Smith spent almost $1,000 on a town car ride for more hearings in Medicine Hat.
Just two days earlier, Smith expensed a $705.00 town car ride for another Lethbridge trip.
The list goes on and on.
As all taxpayers know, a chauffer is not necessary for short trips.
Was the directive from Alberta Health just window dressing? Or is the directive not being followed?
Albertans need some answers, please.
The CTF sponsors an auto-tweet twitter account of Alberta government official and staff expenses at:https://twitter.com/AlbertaExpenses