Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA has acknowledged he was in Saskatchewan for business in December, spending one night there. (CHAT News File Photo)

By Chris Brown

For business, spent one night

MLA Barnes travelled to Saskatchewan in December

Jan 15, 2021 | 11:03 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Weeks after the UCP travel scandal came to light, Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes has admitted to travelling out of Alberta in December, despite his government’s warnings against non-essential travel.

Barnes confirmed to CBC on Wednesday that, while he remained in Alberta for the holidays, he travelled to Saskatchewan in December for business.

He wrote, “On December 14, 2020, I drove alone into Saskatchewan to meet with two business associates, individually. I returned the next morning, always observing social distancing, and the hygiene protocols and health guidelines of each province.

The public outcry over UCP MLAs and staffers travelling in December led to the resignations of then Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard and of Premier Jason Kenney’s chief of staff, and the demotion of five other UCP MLAs.

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The same day Barnes acknowledged his travel, UCP Banff-Kananaskis MLA Miranda Rosin also admitted she travelled to Saskatchewan.

Barnes has for months been pushing for a more regional approach to provincial restrictions.

He reiterated that to CHAT News earlier in January.

“My message hasn’t changed since the end of April when it was clear that regionalization could be a way to keep the economy going.”

CHAT News has reached out to Barnes for comment, and we are still waiting to hear back.