Alberta government reviewing eligibility and make-up of executive fleet
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said she is awaiting a report on whether the government's executive vehicles fleet meets environmental and eligibility requirements.
Questions are being raised about why the government continues to provide vehicles to members of cabinet, deputy ministers and independent officers of the legislative assembly.
Notley said she stands by the policy because it is more economical than paying mileage for private vehicle use. But the premier said the review will look at who gets to access the fleet, in addition to the models and how long vehicles are used.
"It comes down to the issue of people who have to travel around, so that's an issue that we are looking at in terms of the parameters around entitlement to the program, as well as the nature of what's in the fleet," Notley said at a media availability in Edmonton on Wednesday,
The government wants to balance safety with cost-effectiveness and will also look at vehicle emissions, the premier said.
"We're looking for a report back but as far as I'm told at this point, on a per-kilometre basis, it's costing us less."
Notley's government is continuing a policy that started under the previous Progressive Conservative government.
The 73 vehicles in the executive fleet program costs Alberta taxpayers $2.8 million to purchase. That figure — an average cost of $38,000 — doesn't include maintenance.
The vehicles include a 2015 Acura RDX, a 2014 Audi A4, two 2013 Infiniti JX 35s, and several Jeep Cherokees.
When CBC News asked Service Alberta Minister Stephanie McLean why the government didn't opt for more modest vehicles, she said people need something that can handle treacherous winter road conditions.
While some callers on Alberta at Noon on Wednesday decried the vehicles as perks for politicians and senior bureaucrats, many said they are an appropriate use of public dollars.
"The effort and money that it's going to take to drill down and at the end of the day save, you know what, a couple of hundred grand? It's not worth it," said one caller named Lisette.
"Let's have our elected officials focus on the issues that are really hurting us as Albertans."
Another caller who is now making less half his previous salary after losing a job thinks politicians should share the pain of Alberta's economic downturn.
"I'd like to see these politicians live off $2,000 a month and drive their own vehicles to work," said Greg from Edmonton. "I think that would be fair."
