Thomas Lukaszuk has apologized for racking up more than $20,000 in international data roaming charges and sticking Alberta taxpayers with the bill.
The Alberta Tory leadership candidate says he was on a personal trip to Poland and Israel in October 2012, during the time he was deputy premier.
He was participating in the "Compassion to Action" program, as a guest of the Simon Weisenthal Centre, which raises awareness about hatred, tolerance, and human rights.
He claims that although he was on the personal vacation, as deputy premier there wasn't really "private time," and he used his government-paid phone to check email, review briefings and stay informed on Alberta and Canadian news.
He also said an "urgent government legal matter" required him to participate in "long conversations, and proceedings with lawyers and the courts." However, he said the case is now under a court-ordered publication ban so he cannot provide details.
A statement on his website reads:
Absolutely I made a mistake, and for that I apologize. I did not check the data plan myself, and I did not confirm that my office had done so. The result was that accomplishing a task cost the government more than it should have. This was an expensive lesson.
He also apologized on Twitter.
Lukaszuk also said his staff unsuccessfully fought to have the charges reduced and the government has since switched providers and has a better data plan.
Some Albertans, clearly frustrated by recent spending scandals plaguing the Alberta government, weren't buying his apology.
Check out more reaction in the slideshow below:
