The Opposition is questioning government’s use of public funds to purchase souvenir keychains for students who took part in a pilgrimage to Beaumont-Hamel.
CBC is reporting that Minister Andrea Barbour spent over $1,000 on 150 custom yellow rubber boot keychains made by a company on the west coast.
That company is said to have connections to a PC candidate who was unsuccessful in last year’s election.
Minister Barbour wearing one of the keychains during a TikTok video posted in August (TikTok)
Barbour, who was well known on social media before becoming a public servant, is known for wearing yellow rubber boots in her posts.
The Liberals are questioning the decision to hand out souvenir keychains that are part of Barbour’s personal brand and not that of the province.
Barbour is often seen wearing yellow rubber boots in her social media posts (Andrea Barbour/Facebook/TikTok)
Tourism and culture critic Bettina Ford says the students had travelled to Europe to remark on the province’s solemn history and it should not be remembered through a token that reflects the minister’s personal interests.
VOCM News has reached out to the province for comment.
