Alberta scraps its expense policy changes after criticism, restoring full disclosure rules with redacted details for safety.
Decision Announced After Cabinet Meeting
The Alberta government confirmed Tuesday that it will abandon recently introduced changes to its expense disclosure policy. Cabinet decided to restore the original framework following strong public and political criticism.
Policy Shift Sparked Controversy
On August 1, the province had quietly rolled out amendments that removed the requirement to publish receipts for expenses over $100. The move also deleted thousands of archived expense reports dating back nearly a decade, sparking concerns about reduced transparency.
Public Reaction Drove Reversal
Criticism of the changes came from opposition parties, advocacy groups, and ordinary Albertans. During a town hall in Edmonton, several residents directly challenged Premier Danielle Smith, who admitted she was caught off guard by the policy.
Premier Clarifies Original Intent
Premier Smith told the audience that the intent had been to protect the security of elected officials and staff by concealing hotel names. She said the final version of the policy “turned out to be something quite different” and pledged to correct it.
Restoring Previous Disclosure Rules
Finance Minister Nate Horner’s office confirmed that Alberta will immediately revert to the previous expense posting policy. Receipts and invoices will once again be made public, with sensitive address information redacted to balance accountability and safety.
Rebuilding Trust Through Transparency
Government officials also promised that the previously removed expense records will be restored online. The decision signals an effort to repair public trust while maintaining security measures for staff and elected members.
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