OLDS - Area MLAs Jason Nixon and Nathan Cooper said they did not attend a United Conservative Party (UCP) Christmas gathering in Edmonton on Dec. 21.
The party took place at an Edmonton restaurant only hours after Health Minister Jason Copping called on Albertans to help stem the rise in COVID-19 cases by limiting social gatherings and cancelling Christmas office parties.
Cooper is the UCP MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills and Nixon is the UCP MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre. Both MLAs told the Albertan Wednesday that they did not attend the party.
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake UCP MLA Devin Dreeshen did not immediately return a call seeking comment on whether he attended the gathering.
Opposition NDP MLA Christina Gray said holding the party showed a lack of leadership.
“The hypocrisy and this government continuing to ask Albertans to do what they say but not what they do is incredibly frustrating and unfortunately I think contributes to the challenges we’re in now,” said Gray.
“Jason Kenney needs to lead by example. It is frustrating, it is exhausting and Albertans are sick of it. We need to see stronger leadership from Jason Kenney and the UCP.”
