CALGARY—Throughout Alberta history, politicians have found themselves under fire over their expenses.

The latest is the United Conservative government. Premier Jason Kenney is facing criticism after his top adviser racked up $45,000 in travel expenses. Kenney is also under fire for billing taxpayers $16,000 to fly three other premiers, their wives and staffers from Calgary to Saskatoon.

Amid these latest controversies, The Star Calgary looked back at some of Alberta’s more memorable expenses scandals.

There were plenty to choose from.

Alison Redford’s travel costs and the “skypalace”

Perhaps the most memorable example is that of Alison Redford, whose career as premier was cut short after a string of expenses put her under the microscope.

Between 2013 and 2014, Redford faced criticism for a number of travel-related expenses, including a $45,000 flight to Ottawa using a government plane as part of a trip to South Africa with then prime minister Stephen Harper, using a government plane to fly her daughter and her friends around, and using a government plane to fly to a party fundraiser. She also came under fire for planning a “premier’s suite,” which would come to be known as the “skypalace,” on top of a government building, and for expenses incurred by her “travel scout.”

Redford agreed to pay back the $45,000 in March 2014, and eight days later announced her resignation as premier. An auditor general’s report later that year stated Redford inappropriately used public funds, prompting an RCMP investigation that resulted in no charges being laid.

University of Alberta political science professor Laurie Adkin said that though Redford’s predecessor, Ralph Klein, had similar spending habits — in 2004, a government plane took him to a golf resort ahead of a premiers’ conference in Halifax — the popular premier did not face the same fallout Redford did.

“In general, she was on somewhat weaker grounds. She didn’t have the same committed base that was willing to ignore anything,” said Adkin, adding that she thinks misogyny may have played a role in how Redford was treated compared to Klein.

Redford was facing weakening confidence from her own caucus and a strong opposition from the provincial Wildrose Party,which made her more vulnerable to criticism, Adkin said.

Derek Fildebrandt’s Airbnb sublet

Much of Derek Fildebrandt’s political career — first as the Alberta director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and then as an opposition MLA — hinged on criticizing government misdeeds and misspending. So it was unsurprising that Fildebrandt was shown little mercy after he was caught subletting his taxpayer-funded Edmonton apartment on Airbnb and claiming food expenses and a per diem for the same meal on several occasions.

Christine Cusanelli’s Olympic accommodations

In 2012, then-tourism minister Christine Cusanelli faced criticism after it was revealed the Redford government had spent nearly $114,000 on London hotel rooms that were never used during the province’s trip to the Summer Olympic Games. The rookie cabinet minister was later forced to repay $10,600 for expenses racked up during her first five months in office, including a $4,000 airfare charge for her daughter and mother to fly first class with her to the London Games. Cusanelli was punted from cabinet the next year.

Alberta’s No-Meet Committee

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Albertans fumed in early 2012 when it was revealed that more than two dozens MLAs had been paid $1,000 a month for serving on the government’s Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing, even though the panel hadn’t met for more than three years. Liberal and Wildrose members on the so-called No-Meet Committee quickly repaid their share after the controversy erupted. PC MLAs were slower to react but were ultimately forced to follow suit after then premier Alison Redford demanded full repayment.

Sheila Weatherill — from Oilers games to a Christmas symphony

Sheila Weatherill, the former president and CEO of the Capital Health Authority, incurred more than $147,000 in personal and office expenses during her four-year stint (2005-08) in the role. Weatherill’s expenses included a $16,000 cocktail party, $5,600 on Edmonton Oilers tickets and $2,660 to treat staffers to a Christmas symphony. She pre-emptively released the records in 2014 ahead of a Freedom-of-Information release filed by the Wildrose party, the CBC and the Calgary Herald.

Allaudin Merali’s Benz and his butler

Allaudin Merali was fired from his post as the chief financial officer for Alberta Health Services after it was revealed he claimed more than $370,000 for pricey dinners and parties, repairs and upgrades to his Mercedes Benz, and his hiring of a butler. It was later revealed his expenses were allowed under AHS policies. Merali launched a $5.5-million lawsuit against his former employer over the controversy and was ultimately awarded a $900,000 settlement after AHS and the government acknowledged he was fired without cause.

Lavish bonuses and living allowances

In 2007, Alberta’s auditor general, Fred Dunn, exposed how provincial politicians took advantage of lax rules to award extravagant bonuses to their staff, give as much as $50,000 each in gifts, and receive generous living allowances. One MLA awarded a part-time constituency aide, who was paid an $18,000 salary, a $21,500 bonus. Politicians bought office gifts ranging from a few hundred dollars to $50,000 without providing information about who received the gift or why. Dunn also found out-of-town MLAs regularly exceeded living allowances in Edmonton.

How the UCP can still recover

Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams said spending controversies can fade from memory if handled correctly.

She pointed to the situation currently faced by the United Conservatives, who will have some time before they face re-election.

“They’ve got three and a half years for them to show they’ve learned from their mistakes,” she said.

She added that some questions remain unanswered, including whether the spending on the adviser’s trip to London was reasonable and whether it will result in a return on investment.

But coming on the heels of the premiers’ trip and a budget focused on cutting spending, Williams said, the optics aren’t great.

“That doesn’t look at all justified … You’ve got the beginnings of a pattern.”

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