EDMONTON — An Alberta taxpayers advocate is applauding the provincial government's latest expense disclosure policy.
Premier Danielle Smith's government says it's reverting to its previous rules after critics from across the political spectrum accused it of dodging responsibility.
It's also promising to re-post eight years' worth of expense receipts that were deleted from its website.
Kris Sims, of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, says the group is happy the United Conservatives are fixing what appears to have been a mistake, but she questions why it's taking so long to officially announce the news.
In early August, the province quietly published new rules axing a requirement for Smith, her ministers, political staff and deputy ministers to publicly post receipts for expenses over $100.
Marisa Breeze, press secretary to Finance Minister Nate Horner, says sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and the addresses of accommodations, will be redacted.
She also confirmed that deleted receipts would be put back up on the government's public website.
“This approach protects the safety of officials and preserves Alberta’s reputation as a national leader in transparency," Breeze said in an email.
When the story was first reported by the CBC, Horner's office said it was done to cut government red tape and to bring Alberta's policies into alignment with other provinces.
But late last week, Smith said the change was only meant to redact hotel information, but "it turned out to be something quite different."
Sims said it's important taxpayers have that historical data on spending. She's fine with hotel locations being redacted for safety, but the original rules were put in place for a reason, she said.
"I do think it was a mistake," she said.
Sims said she's felt frustrated about how the reversal was communicated only to reporters, and not the general public.
"Why is it taking so long for them to officially come out with a news release and put the story to bed? That's where I'm kind of scratching my head," she said.
"People deserve to know if they're spending taxpayers' money on a Corolla or a Corvette."
Sims was not the only one who called the removal of receipts questionable.
Official Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said it's good the UCP cabinet partially reversed course, but said it shows the government is making up things as it goes along.
"(Smith's) claim she wanted to do one thing, but somehow something else was done just doesn’t pass the smell test," he said in a statement.
Smith's former infrastructure minister, Peter Guthrie, who was booted from the UCP caucus earlier this year, has also said Smith was being evasive with her explanation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 21, 2025.
Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press
