Photo: Government of Alberta

By Shaun Penner

Reported Out of Country Vacation

Opposition NDP call for resignation of Minister Allard following alleged Hawaii vacation

Dec 31, 2020 | 6:43 PM

The official opposition of the governing United Conservative Party is calling for the resignation of Minister of Municipal Affairs Tracy Allard, after it has been reported that she vacationed in Hawaii over the holiday break.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported on the Grande Prairie MLA’s trip Thursday evening, which they claim multiple sources have confirmed to them. EverythingGP has reached out to Minister Allard for comment about the alleged vacation and has yet to receive a response.

Meanwhile, NDP Municipal Affairs Critic Joe Ceci is condemning the alleged trip.

“She vacationed while Albertans have been sitting in their homes through the holidays, following strict public health orders and separated from family and friends while waiting on the vaccine,” said Ceci, in a release issued Thursday night by the Alberta NDP.

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He adds Allard, who also serves as vice-chair of the Emergency Management Cabinet Committee, should have remained at her post, as the province rolls out the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“This goes beyond just a member of the Government Caucus or a member of the Government Cabinet — Minister Allard is in charge of emergency management.

“She has made an unforgivable error and must resign her position immediately.”

Earlier Thursday, the Minister of Finance in Ontario Rod Phillips resigned from cabinet there after it was revealed he went to the Caribbean on vacation.

CTV News is reporting that Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pat Rehn also took an out-of-country vacation this holiday season, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Ceci and the rest of the NDP are calling for the UCP government to reveal if any other MLAs or cabinet ministers have taken a vacation over the Christmas break.

Ceci told EverythingGP Thursday night that no NDP caucus members or staff members vacationed outside of Canada in December, as the provincial government’s own website advises against any non-essential travel until further notice.

“The UCP has been withholding information from the media and the people of this province about their vacation plans for days now,” Ceci said.

“They owe it to all of us to explain who is not at their post during what is likely the worst public health emergency Albertans have ever faced.”