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The funeral of Nelson Mandela behind her, Alberta Premier Alison Redford needed to get back to Edmonton, where a new cabinet would be awaiting a swearing-in ceremony.

Ms. Redford travelled to South Africa on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s aging Airbus A310, along with other Canadian dignitaries. On the way back, however, she chose to save herself a few hours by opting for commercial travel instead.

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She booked a flight to Alberta from South Africa — at a cost of about $10,000.

Ms. Redford’s staff, noting there was some uncertainty about when Mr. Harper’s entourage would leave South Africa, said Ms. Redford landed in Edmonton that afternoon. The prime minister’s plane landed at 8 p.m. in Ottawa.

A spokesperson for Ms. Redford’s office, Neala Barton, said the choice was made to ensure her new cabinet could be sworn in the next morning. Her critics contend the casual lack of parsimony is in line with her habit for expensive travel.