Minister spent $3,500 on ‘Mercedes chauffeur’ in Paris: NDP

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The Opposition NDP says it has invoices that show Dustin Duncan — in his role as minister responsible for all major Crowns — spent $3,500 on a “private Mercedes chauffeur service” to see tourist attractions and historical sites while in Paris for the World Nuclear Exhibition late last year.

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Duncan employed the service from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, 2023, according to documents provided to the NDP as part of a freedom of information request. The invoices show he was picked up from “a famous military museum that houses the tomb of Napoleon” on Nov. 29 at 2:30 p.m.

The minister’s “schedule states that, at that time, he was supposed to be touring the pavilions at the World Nuclear Expo held in an event centre an hour’s drive from the museum and central Paris.”

Duncan said that block was actually free time, and he did tour some of the pavillions but there was a decision to “take a couple of hours of downtime” in the city. He said the delegation paid their own fare to the museum but the shuttle got them back to the hotel.

“It was really just kind of a spur of the moment type of thing,” he said.

There was also a stop made at the Arc de Triomphe according to the logs. Duncan said he and his delegation were at a dinner and it “was agreed upon” to be picked up “at a landmark that was not far away from the restaurant.”

He did not say this counted as sightseeing.

“The problem with a city like Paris is you drive by the Eiffel Tower, you open your eyes, somebody could accuse you of sightseeing,” he said

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During question period on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Carla Beck asked if the premier thought it was appropriate for taxpayers to pick up the tab for the minister’s car service. She again brought up concerns about the lack of effort made by the province to secure a carve out from the carbon tax on natural gas for home heating.

“They’re more interested in picking fights and taking flights than they are (in) getting a deal for Saskatchewan,” said Beck.

Premier Scott Moe said travel under his government is “probably a third” of what it was, bringing up the number of trips the previous NDP government took in 2007.

Moe also said the $3,500 price tag was for “the entire delegation” and not just Duncan. He also touted Saskatchewan’s resource-rich uranium sector as a boon for the provincial economy.

Duncan said he was invited to speak at a number of events around the city and had to meet with several delegations.

NDP staffers were quoted a rate of $350 for a five-day rental from the Charles de Gaulle Airport, the Opposition said.

“Uber also operates in Paris,” the NDP said in a news release. Duncan said relying on public transport or cabs would have added days onto the itinerary.

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There was “no sight seeing” done by him while in Paris for the exhibition, he added during question period. Later in the day Duncan said he did go and “tour the museum” on his own dime. He said that day in question there was a break in his schedule.

“We heard in the house that he didn’t do any sightseeing at all,” said Young later on Tuesday afternoon. “if his story’s changed this much in the last hour, so I look forward to hearing what the explanations are tomorrow.”

Young suggested public transit, walking or cabs as an alternative to the shuttle.

“Did the Minister skip out” on any of the event, Young asked after bringing up the travel logs for the car service.

“Absolutely not. I did not skip out,” said Duncan, adding he attending all meetings.

Duncan said he’d be happy to review his calendar, when Young asked what else he did on Nov. 27.

“You don’t remember the City of Lights?” heckled NDP MLA Nathaniel Teed, eliciting an “I can assure you this was a work trip” from Duncan.

The minister and his delegation flew economy to and from Paris, he said. He also described the service as a “shuttle van.”

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As for the price tag Duncan said other options “would be pretty comparable.” He also said while a Mercedes might be seen as a luxury car in North America, in France they are “ubiquitous.”

Young disagreed.

“Probably a first in the history of Canada, that a politician has claimed a $700 a day chauffeured Mercedes is the cheapest and most efficient way to get around,” she said after question period.

There was no quibble with the minister attending the conference, but Young said her understanding was that Duncan’s hotel was close to conference centre and questioned why the shuttle service was needed.

The Opposition also noted Duncan’s trip to Paris overlapped with Moe’s travel to Dubai for the United Nations’ COP 28 climate change conference. The Dubai trip was criticized by the NDP and others for its price tag.

“With the Sunrise Motel scandal and now this, the old boys club at the Legislature is starting to look like the Devine Conservatives,” Young said.

alsalloum@postmedia.com

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