Author: Laurence Martin Marie Chabot-Johnson

The initiative was launched by Alberta Sen. Scott Tannas. In May 2024, he sent a message to his colleagues in the upper chamber inviting them on what he called a “familiarization tour” of his province.The idea was simple, he explained. Many senators were unfamiliar with his part of the country and would benefit from a “come to know” visit to Alberta.The trip, organized in collaboration with the Alberta government, featured several stops, including a visit to the Calgary Stampede, a meeting with members of the tourism industry in Banff, a day trip to the oilsands and a tour of the province’s grain and beef farms.Fifteen senators chose to participate in the three-day trip last July. Six of them brought staff along and three senators brought their spouses. Taxpayers footed the bill, which is within the rules of the Senate.The total cost: $118,000, according to data obtained and compiled by Radio-Canada.Loffreda posed in a tractor during a visit to an agricultural exhibition.