‘Stains, rips and tears’: Alberta government defends $280K carpet in Smith’s office

EDMONTON — Alberta’s government is defending a hefty bill to replace the carpet in Premier Danielle Smith’s office, after it became a point of attack in question period.

The provincial infrastructure ministry said Friday in a statement that the previous carpet in the 6,500-square-foot legislature space was in poor condition, riddled with “stains, rips and tears” and more than 20 years old.

It said the province recently spent about $280,000 to purchase and install new red carpet. The cost also included abatement work and removal of the old one.

“The legislature is an important part of Alberta’s history, and renewal work ensures it remains in good condition to serve Albertans for generations to come,” the statement said.

Independent legislature member Scott Sinclair said this week that government spending is “out of control” and out of touch, considering Alberta is staring down a forecasted $5-billion deficit. Sinclair was kicked out of the United Conservative Party caucus earlier this year for threatening to vote against the budget.

“To the premier: Do you think spending a quarter-million dollars to roll yourself out on a red carpet every day is a responsible way of spending taxpayers’ money when you run Trudeau-style deficits?” Sinclair asked in question period Thursday.

He added that the price tag would even make former premier Alison Redford blush. Redford resigned in 2014 following a series of spending controversies.

Finance Minister Nate Horner stood up to respond in place of the premier and said the government’s income tax cut would address affordability concerns.

Sinclair said it’s a “tale as old as time” to see a premier spend on wants not needs.

“Don’t you think this kind of luxurious spending sends the wrong message to everyday Albertans when we can’t get highways and health care?”

“You know, the member is not wrong,” said Horner. “Highways, hospitals, schools: these are all our fundamental, principal concerns.

“We need to ensure that dollars go further now than ever, and we have to do that in a time of great inflation, of trade uncertainty, of logistical challenges.”

Sinclair proceeded to quote Smith when she was leader of the now-defunct Wildrose Party and criticized Redford’s spending as “duplicitous, entitled, secretive, wasteful and completely out of touch with the priorities of everyday Albertans.”

Sinclair also claimed Thursday that the province is spending $300,000 on china for Government House in Edmonton, which hosts government functions and ceremonies.

The Infrastructure ministry said that’s not true. The prestigious venue’s inventory of dinnerware, dating back to the 1990s, is set to be replaced.

“Breakage, wear and tear has resulted in low inventory of tableware resulting in the inability to properly serve meetings and events,” it said, adding that a procurement process is underway.

“Alberta’s Protocol Office has recommended any purchase be of basic tableware due to limited budget.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2025.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press