P.E.I. premier criticized over travel expenses

The Official Opposition criticized P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan over expenses incurred on a visit to the United Kingdom late last year, including first-class train tickets from Cardiff to London and a stay at what the opposition described as a "five-star waterfront hotel and spa."

Referring to online government expense disclosures and receipts obtained through a freedom of information request, PC MLA Darlene Compton showed that three first-class train tickets were purchased on a government credit card, one of which was for the premier's partner.

MacLauchlan said the travel was arranged through his office, "but I can assure you that every penny that was expended for my partner to travel was paid for out of our own pockets."

Compton seemed willing to concede that, but still wanted to know why the premier and his deputy minister travelled first class, at a cost of $392 per train ticket.

"Treasury Board rules state every employee shall travel by the most direct route and the most economical mode of travel," she said.

Government staff later said the first-class tickets were the only ones available at the time.

Not in it for a 'free ride'

At one point during the debate, the premier saw fit to try to dispel any notion he joined the public service "to get some kind of a free ride. … I donate one-sixth of my salary to the United Way. And Mr. Speaker since I've become premier, by the end of this year, I'll have paid for $14,000 worth of art … by Island artists, and it will stay with the province after I am through as premier."

"I applaud the premier," replied Compton. "I'd just like to say most Islanders are not in the position you're in. We're struggling with paying the bills, that's what we're concerned with here. And we're talking about taxpayer dollars."

Compton also took aim at expense reports filed on the same trip by the premier's Deputy Minister of Policy and Priorities Paul Ledwell, which show he stayed at the St. David's Hotel and Spa in Cardiff, Wales. Expense reports show a one-night stay came with a price tag of $388.75.

No accommodations listed

Accommodations for the trip aren't listed on MacLauchlan's expense report. Government staff said the expenses were erroneously filed as meal expenses, but that the premier stayed one night at the same hotel, and two further nights at a London hotel for a total cost $1,243.57.

Compton cited Treasury Board policy stating hotel stays must also be at the most economical rate.

MacLauchlan said he would look into the issue.

For the second day in a row, he also invited any comparison of spending between himself and any of his predecessors as premier.

"We're running a very tight ship and a responsible ship and one that's getting results for the people of this province," he said.

- MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Province House won't reopen until 2020, says Parks Canada

- MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Numbers needed: P.E.I. Public Schools Branch asks parents to register kids for kindergarten now