Politicians confirmed to have left Alberta for warmer climates

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Tanya Fir

Calgary-Peigan MLA Tanya Fir travelled to Las Vegas to visit her sister in December, the province confirmed late Friday.

In a public Facebook post, Fir praised Albertans for following public-health guidelines before disclosing her own trip.

“I have since returned and will abide by the Premier’s new travel directive,” Fir wrote. “I sincerely apologize for this situation wholeheartedly.”

Fir was the province’s minister of economic development before being shuffled out of cabinet in August 2020.

Jeremy Nixon

Provincial officials also confirmed Friday Calgary-Klein MLA Jeremy Nixon travelled to Hawaii in December.

Nixon remained in the U.S. state as of Friday night and has been instructed to return home on the earliest available flight, according to Christine Myatt, press secretary for Kenney.

In a newsletter to his constituents dated Dec. 23, Nixon remarked on the challenges of the holidays amid pandemic restrictions, adding he hoped Albertans could “work together to ease these measures.” It is unclear whether he was in Hawaii when the newsletter was sent.

The province said Nixon’s older brother, Minister of Environment and Parks Jason Nixon, remained in Alberta over the holidays.

Pat Rehn

Pat Rehn, a backbencher MLA representing Lesser Slave Lake, posted a photo on his public Facebook page Dec. 24 that appeared to be taken in Mexico. The caption on the photo wished those reading it a Merry Christmas.

The image appeared to have been deleted Thursday evening. His profile picture on Facebook contains a filter that reads, “Stay home save lives.”

The province could not confirm the dates Rehn was out of the country.

Rehn posted an apology on Facebook Saturday afternoon for taking what he called a “previously planned family trip.”

“I am returning home to Alberta and will ensure I follow the premier’s new travel directive,” Rehn said.

Jason Stephan

The province confirmed Saturday afternoon Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan had travelled to Arizona.

On his Facebook page, Stephan posted an explanation of when and where he had travelled, although he did not apologize for his actions.

His explanation said he had purchased tickets in October for a Dec. 31 flight to Phoenix.

“International travel, in and of itself, does not negatively affect Alberta’s COVID curve if it is done responsibly,” wrote Stephan.

“I do not consider myself an exception to health guidelines. I have never asked Albertans to do things that I myself would not do – and that includes not travelling.”