Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Glasgo says she spent the holidays here in Medicine Hat, and intends to lead by example(Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Politician travel controversy ‘a major lack of judgment’ says MLA Glasgo

Jan 2, 2021 | 6:41 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Scrutiny of the UCP government has been mounting after it was learned that at least five elected officials and three high- level staffers flouted non-essential travel restrictions, and traveled out of the country for Christmas vacations. The travel scandal has prompted the hashtag #resignkenney which has been trending on Twitter on Saturday.

Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Glasgo says she spent the holidays here in Medicine Hat and intends to lead by example.

“The directive that we were given was the same as every Albertan, which was to remain responsible, and ultimately I think this was a major lack of judgment shown by some of my colleagues,” Glasgo said.

Since the scandal broke, Glasgo said she has received a number of messages from people expressing “profound disappointment” in her colleagues.

“I completely understand why they are disappointed and why they are frustrated. This is an unprecedented time. We have seen businesses close. We’ve seen people deemed essential and non-essential. We’ve seen people shut into their homes, and asked not to leave for fear of fine for some and for me this is just about leading by example, and showing our constituents that we will put our feet on the ground, and do what we said we were going to do,” she said.

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Glasgo said she like many of her constituents would like to see “bold and decisive action taken” and she intends to communicate that to her caucus colleagues.

The scandal first broke when it was learned that Tracy Allard, minister of municipal affairs traveled to Hawaii over Christmas break. When pressed if Allard should have stepped down immediately, Glasgo wouldn’t directly answer if that should have happened.

“The Minister of Municipal Affairs made a critical error of judgment. I have not spoken to her yet, but I intend to speak to her publically because I think this is a conversation I think we need to have between her and I,” she said,

“This is a very difficult situation and I don’t pretend to know what is going on for her at all. I think character assassinations are completely out of line, as they are in any situation, We don’t need to get personal about it and I’ve seen a lot of that” she said

As for what is next, Glasgo is continuing to encourage all of her constituents to follow all the public health guidelines and says she will be advocating for a more regional approach with pandemic restrictions at her next caucus meeting.

MLA Drew Barnes was unavailable for comment by deadline.