SUNDRE – Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre and Minister of Environment and Parks Jason Nixon says last week's official Opposition demands that he should repay the cost of a helicopter ride he took in the West Country last spring are out of line.
“There was no special helicopter ride just for me,” said Nixon. “My view is that the NDP is trying to spin that there is some special helicopter trip for me. That day I also travelled by foot and by car and I spent most of the day cooking at checkstops for law enforcement officers who were working on the May long weekend.
“Yes while I was travelling with officials, I did travel at one point on that day with them (in a helicopter). They were showing me what was taking place on the May long weekend.
“Alberta Environment travels in helicopters and I was out there doing my job. The NDP’s press release is ridiculous.”
In a press release issued last week, NDP environment critic Marlin Schmidt called Nixon’s use of the helicopter on the May long weekend in 2019 unreasonable.
“It is one set of rules for the UCP and another for everyday Albertans,” said Schmidt. “Minister Nixon is raising the cost of camping for everyday Albertans while claiming that camping is a luxury and that funding our parks is like ‘watching money go down the drain.’ But he sees no problem taking a $7,200 joyride at taxpayers’ expense.
“It is sheer and blatant hypocrisy for Minister Nixon and the UCP to say that camping and hiking, activities enjoyed by countless Alberta families year-round are luxuries we can’t afford, when he takes to the sky on the taxpayer dime. Nixon must repay this lavish expense.”
Schmidt’s comments came as the province announced it was closing or partially closing 20 parks in the province.
