GILLIAN SLADE
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A two-day retreat for the premier and MLAs at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is costing tax payers $70,000, says the premier's office, and not all of our local representatives are in attendance.
About 60 people are at the retreat having arrived in Jasper on Wednesday afternoon, said a communications spokesperson for the premier. They will be returning Friday morning.
Recently elected Medicine Hat candidate, Darren Hirsch, who will be replacing Rob Renner, said he was invited to attend but declined the invitation due to his workload with his current employer. He described the retreat as an opportunity to meet and greet the other MLAs and premier. He will be heading to Edmonton for the throne speech next week.
Cypress Medicine Hat MLA Len Mitzel did attend the retreat but was not available to speak with the News on Thursday.
Renner's Edmonton office did not respond to a message from the News asking if he was attending the retreat.
Renner announced in December that he would not be standing for re-election. After 19 years as MLA for Medicine Hat, the former Environment Minister will receive a "transition allowance" of $872,000 according to calculations by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.