For the first time since the London Olympics, details about the trip Alberta Ministers and government workers took to England for the Summer Games are being made public. The cost of the trip is also being released.
The province released numbers Monday morning, showing the total cost of the trip was $518,279. That includes the cost for the premier and two ministers, and three staff members, which totaled $87,135 along with other costs.
The original budget for the premier, two ministers, and three staff members was $83,000.
Redford, along with Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister, Christine Cusanelli, and Minister of Culture, Heather Klimchuk, were expected to attend the trade mission running from July 29 to August 4. As well, 17 artists, including country star Corb Lund and champion hoop dancer Dallas Arcand will scheduled to attend.
Other costs included luncheons, dinner engagements, travel and accommodations for Alberta performers who were taken on this London trip to promote our province, and audio-visual equipment for events. These “other costs” totaled $431,144.
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Among the listed “other costs” was $113,687 for “additional hotel costs.” The province explains the London mission was reduced in scale and scope, and a number of ministers and staff did not end up attending the Games. Therefore, there were some hotel rooms that were paid for and never used.
Eighteen Government of Alberta representatives, including four ministers and their respective staff, did not end up travelling as part of the delegation. The province says, because of that, it was able to save $123,000. The province says it asked the hotel to try to sell the unused rooms, but the ones that couldn’t be sold, sat unused, at a cost of $113,687.
Albertans are reacting to the numbers on social media.
“Wow, the real tab for @Premier_Redford and her gal pals’ London gold-medal escapade comes in at over half a million? #ableg #THATSaparty,” wrote Bill Bewick on Twitter.
“London 2012… how absurd. And wasteful #ableg,” reads another tweet.
While this trip appears costly, the province says it was an investment.
“Vital mission,” writes British Consul General for Alberta Tony Kay, “and we’re following up in partnerships.”
The premier and ministers met with hundreds of international executives, and facilitated new contacts and opportunities for Alberta. The province says the trip helped to bolster our international reputation and presence, and says we will see millions of dollars in investment here in Alberta, because of the trip.
“The Olympics were a golden opportunity for our province,” said Cusanelli, “an opportunity to promote investment, and to tell our province’s story, in our own words and in person.”
For instance, the province says a German company is interested in bringing tour operators to visit Banff in the near future.
Tell us what you think about the cost and benefits of this London trip on our Global Edmonton Facebook page.
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