Photo from Tracy Allard's Facebook page

By Shaun Penner

“I definitely made the wrong decision”

Municipal Affairs Minister apologizes for Hawaii vacation

Jan 1, 2021 | 4:22 PM

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard says she is taking responsibility for her decision to travel to Hawaii over the holiday break, and she says she is sorry for breaking the public’s trust.

Speaking to the media for the first time since it was revealed she took the tropical vacation amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and advisories against non-essential travel outside of Canada, she says the decision to make the trip was a lapse in judgement.

“As a Minister of the Crown, I know that I am held to a higher standard,” said Allard. “In retrospect, I definitely made the wrong decision.”

Allard added she understands the frustration and anger her decisions have caused for Grande Prairie residents and all Albertans, after they had been asked to stay away from family and friends throughout the holiday season to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

“Many Albertans responsibly chose to forgo dearly held traditions this Christmas with family… and I know my actions seem dismissive.

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“For that, I am truly and deeply sorry.”

Allard said Hawaii has been a regular holiday destination for her and her family. This year, not being able to see her two sons because of gathering restrictions set out by her government, she and her husband chose to take the trip with their daughter, who still lives within their household.

She says the trip was an attempt to keep alive the family tradition.

“I felt like following the border testing pilot program made that possible. In hindsight, that was a lapse in judgement, for sure.”

There had been calls, specifically from the opposition NDP, for Allard to resign from her post after the trip was uncovered by a CBC report.

On Dec. 23, Allard posted a video on Instagram wishing Albertans well over the holidays that had been shot previously in the Alberta Legislature rotunda.

“This clearly looks like the Minister was trying to deceive Albertans,” NDP Opposition leader Rachel Notley said in a release. “She wasn’t at the Legislature, she was sunbathing in Hawaii.”

Premier Jason Kenney spoke earlier on Friday, saying he would not sanction Allard or any other MLA for taking the trips, though he said he was disappointed to learn of them.

He also said he gave his UCP government a “clear directive” to cease any international travel for the foreseeable future.

“I certainly apologize for any offence that I’ve caused,” said Allard, in closing. “I hope to earn back the trust of my constituents in Grande Prairie.”

(everythingGP)