NDP accuses Smith government of running $700K 'gravy train' for friends and allies
CTV
Alberta's Opposition NDP attempted to skewer the government Tuesday over more than $700,000 worth of sole-source contracts paid to political allies of Danielle Smith.
Alberta's Opposition NDP attempted to skewer the government Tuesday over more than $700,000 worth of sole-source contracts paid to political allies of Danielle Smith.
But the premier defended the expenditures and the process that saw them paid out, insisting all ethics rules were followed in hiring the "very best" people for the jobs.
"The public purse is not this premier's personal, private, political loot bag. Why is it so hard for her to understand that?" NDP leader Rachel Notley asked in question period.
"The member opposite well knows that there are rules regarding sole-source contracting and we have followed every single rule in choosing people who were the very best to give us the advice that we needed," Smith responded.
The controversial contracts include $253,000 paid to former Reform Party leader Preston Manning.
He was hired in January to lead a panel review into the province's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The final report was delivered last week.
Manning is well-known as a conservative advisor and endorsed Danielle Smith for premier in 2012.
