Sask. NDP presents Spendies Awards for most wasteful travel expenses

REGINA - Today, the Saskatchewan NDP presented the Spendies Awards to highlight some of the most wasteful taxpayer-funded travel expenses Premier Scott Moe and his ministers claimed in the last year. The Moe government published their long-awaited travel expense claims earlier this week.

“Saskatchewan people work hard for their tax dollars. They deserve to know if their money is going to hospitals, schools or wasteful Sask. Party spending, like a million-dollar trip to Dubai or a $3,500 Mercedes limo in Paris,” said Aleana Young, Opposition Whip and host of the Spendies. 

“This high-flying Sask. Party government is out of touch with the challenges facing Saskatchewan people.”

Big Spender winner: Premier Scott Moe

Premier Moe’s trip to Dubai is the most expensive in Saskatchewan history. With $765,000 for the pavilion and another $238,000 spent on subway advertising, Moe billed Saskatchewan taxpayers over $1 million before flights and hotels.

First Class Flyer winner: Premier Scott Moe

The Premier and his entourage of two spent over $31,000 on flights to and from New Delhi, India. This morning, the Opposition found roundtrip flights from Regina to New Delhi for three people that depart tomorrow and cost less than $13,000 total. They’re even premium economy. 

Joyrider winner: Minister Dustin Duncan

Minister Duncan billed taxpayers an eye-watering $3,500 for a private Mercedes limo service in Paris. While Duncan was supposed to be working, limo logs show that the taxpayer-funded Benz was picking him up from some of Paris’s most well-known attractions, including Napoleon’s tomb and the Arc de Triomphe.

Lobsterfest winner: Minister Jim Reiter

Minister Reiter managed to rack up a $12,000 bill for catered lunches, dinners, beverage services and other “business hosting expenses” over just three days in Toronto. A week after Reiter returned to Saskatchewan, a local mayor publicly pleaded for food bank donations amid record hunger.

The 2024 Spendies Awards were officially unveiled today in question period. Winners were invited to make a speech and formally accept their award at media scrums in the Rotunda.

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