MP says Trudeau’s Okanagan visit was pricey photo-op

A Conservative MP from the Okanagan is questioning why Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the Okanagan this week, and how much the visit cost taxpayers.

Dan Albas, the representative for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, said in his weekly report, the largely unannounced visit by Trudeau on Monday, had people contacting his office wondering what the purpose was.

“Normally an official visit by a prime minister occurs to make an announcement, participate in meetings or events like a caucus gathering and, of course, to campaign in an election. By in large, this visit from the prime minister did not seem to involve any of these functions, including no party fundraiser (disclosure of which is required by law),” said Albas.

Trudeau stopped at a children’s facility in Lake Country, visited the BC Tree Fruits store in Kelowna and then stopped at a farm in Summerland to talk to a cherry grower before flying to Penticton.

Albas said media were allowed to attend the events and take pictures, but were not allowed to pose questions to Trudeau.

“As the Daily Courier reported, reporters were “invited to take pictures and videos but forbidden in advance to ask any questions,” Albas stated. “Any shouted queries would result in police-assisted eviction from the various premises. From my perspective, threatening to use the police to evict journalists from asking questions raises serious concerns in a free and democratic country,” the Tory MP remarked.

Albas added the no-questions-allowed policy for journalists is normally used for events strictly intended to be photo ops.

“Photo-ops at considerable expense to taxpayers, given the use of the government private challenger aircraft that even flew the small distance between Kelowna and Penticton to assist with this visit,” the MP commented.

Albas has concerns about Trudeau flying between Kelowna and Penticton.

“That was not only extremely costly to taxpayers, it also generates significant emissions from a prime minister demanding everyone else drive less and reduce their carbon footprint.”

Albas speculates the PM flew to Penticton to avoid his entourage having to drive back to Kelowna in rush hour traffic, which would have taken longer for him and his staff.

“Unfortunately, as many citizens who reside and commute in the Okanagan will know, this can be a daily reality for everyone else. Local Penticton MLA Dan Ashton has been calling for improved alternate routes to Highway 97, that become even more necessary when a serious accident causes significant delays that can shut down sections of this highway for many hours at a time,” Albas added.