Alberta government facing scrutiny over bourbon distilleries tour in Kentucky

Nov 10, 2026 | 4:24 PM

Alberta’s government is bucking questions about the taxpayer cost of a delegation that toured Kentucky bourbon distilleries last year and brought a staffer’s husband along for the ride.

The office for Dale Nally, the minister of red tape reduction, says the husband of his chief of staff paid his own expenses.

But documents obtained by the Opposition NDP indicate Gary Davidson didn’t reimburse his share of group transportation costs.

The NDP says it amounts to a taxpayer-funded booze fest and has demanded the minister pay back $5,400 for the cost of distillery tours.

New Democrats began asking about the trip last week, and Nally’s office has declined to answer questions about whether the minister consumed alcohol while touring about a dozen bourbon distilleries in September 2025.

His office also declined to explain why Davidson was invited on the trip, because its purpose was for meetings with Kentucky lawmakers, and Alberta industry representatives were invited at their own expense.

United Conservative Party Premier Danielle Smith says Nally travelled to Kentucky to learn from local bourbon distilleries and help develop and promote Alberta’s whisky sector.

The government says no alcohol was billed to taxpayers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2026.

by Lisa Johnson and Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press