Alberta, Canada Politicians’ $2.6-Million Vehicle Fleet Under Fire

As the Tory government looks to put the brakes on spending, opposition parties say the $2.6-million executive fleet that provides vehicles to more than fifty senior politicians and government officials is one place to start. The government will pay up to $45,000 for a vehicle for the unrestricted use of cabinet ministers and up to $43,000 for officials such as deputy ministers and the premier’s senior political staff. The province continues to own the vehicles and also pays for fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

Not all of the politicians and civil servants who are eligible utilize the program, choosing instead to use their own vehicles and charge for mileage at a rate of 50.5 cents per kilometer.

Wildrose MLA Rob Anderson said that should be the norm. "I think they can use their own car; that’s what I think," he said. "Enough of this buying cars for cabinet ministers. They need to show leadership here...in this environment, there’s just no excuse for it."

The Progressive Conservative government is projecting a potential budget deficit of up to $3 billion and Finance Minister Doug Horner has promised to cap spending, find millions in savings, and re-evaluate all capital projects.

The executive fleet has come under fire in the past, and has been used for some symbolic gestures. Former premier Ed Stelmach relied on — and touted — a fleet of five Ford Tauruses to get around, at a relatively low cost of $35,112 each. But in August of this year there was a switchover in the "executive protection" vehicles assigned to Premier Alison Redford. Assigned to the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General, that fleet is used primarily by the premier, though the cars can also be utilized by other dignitaries.

The executive protection vehicles available to Redford include five 2012 Buick Enclaves valued at $49,680, one Enclave priced at $50,299, a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban worth $60,413, and a Suburban valued at $63,420. One 2009 Taurus remains in the executive protection pool.

"We are always reviewing and updating our security procedures," Redford Spokesman Jay O’Neill said, "and the security vehicles are no exception. Our current vehicles reflect our security practices."

Liberal Leader Raj Sherman said Stelmach had the right approach with his more modest vehicles. "The premier does need security," he said. "Premier Redford, she likes to travel in style."

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