Tany Yao, MLA For Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo, is being removed from his two committee positions over his trip to Mexico for the holidays.
Premier Jason Kenney released a statement on Monday officially condemning the MLA’s and members of staff who travelled abroad after the province and Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, asked residents to stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19.
“Last Friday, I took responsibility for not having been clear enough with members of the government caucus and others in positions of leadership that they should not travel abroad. Over the weekend I have listened to Albertans who are sending a clear message that they want real consequences for these actions.”
According to the UCP Caucus, Yao is currently in Mexico and, as of Sunday, yet to be reached.
As a consequence, Kenney is removing Yao from the Families and Communities Committee, which is chaired by MLA for Fort McMurray – Lac La Biche Laila Goodridge, and the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee.
He didn’t receive any added compensation for either of his positions.
Kenney has also accepted the resignation of Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard, MLA Jeremy Nixon as Parliamentary Secretary for Civil Society, MLA Jason Stephan from the Treasury Board, and his Chief of Staff Jamie Huckabay who he personally asked to step down.
Along with Yao, MLA’s Tanya Fir and Pat Rehn are also being removed from their committee positions.
“By travelling abroad over the holidays, these individuals demonstrated extremely poor judgment.”
Mix News has reached out to Yao’s Constituent Manager but did not get a response.