The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation spent $141,000 for a two-day management training conference in 2013, and are planning another getaway for this year.

The Progressive Conservatives dug up the costs via a freedom of information request and demanded action from the governing Liberals.

The May training session at the Digby Pines Resort drew 212 attendees, working out to $665 per person.

It should be an easy choice to axe lavish government parties like this. - Tim Houston

Tim Houston, the PC MLA for Pictou East, put the spending to Finance Minister Diana Whalen in the Legislature on Thursday.

"How can the minister justify that kind of extravagant use of taxpayers' dollars at a time when the film tax credit is being slashed? Programs are being cut and real Nova Scotians are receiving pink slips," he said.

Whalen thanked him for the question.

"Certainly that is information that I don't have at the moment. I can certainly look into it. It's an interesting thing to know in the spirit of the current budget," Whalen replied.

Signal Hill hired for event

The NSLC's Digby Pines weekend booked 147 rooms and food cost $77 per person, per day. Meals included beef, scallops, chicken and salmon.

The NSLC spent $6,000 booking the band Signal Hill for an evening show. The freedom of information release did not explain where the remainder of the $141,000 went.

The NSLC didn't hold a training weekend last year, but plan to gather in May this year at the Inverary Inn in Cape Breton. That's going to cost another $140,000 from the public purse.

"The Liberals keep talking about having to make tough choices in the interest of Nova Scotia's fiscal challenges. It should be an easy choice to axe lavish government parties like this," Houston said in a media release.

"It's incompetent for the Liberals to first look to cut the programs and services people rely on. The posturing and tough talk is hollow when they cut programs and services rather than wasteful spending."

Retreat needed to roll out five-year plan

NSLC spokesman Mike Maloney confirmed the cost and said the agency shopped around before choosing the site. He said they got a discount because the resort is normally closed in early May.

"We are going out to these places that normally wouldn't have the business so they are able to cut us a very good deal," said Maloney.

Maloney said the upcoming gathering over two nights and three days is necessary to roll out the corporation's five-year plan to management.