Alberta’s President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Finance says he accepts the recommendations of the Auditor General’s report and agrees an overhaul of the travel policy is needed.

Doug Horner faced the media on Thursday to respond to the report’s conclusion that public resources were used inappropriately by former premier Alison Redford.

“As the Auditor General recommended, this government must do a better job at explaining why we send government staff, elected and otherwise, around the province and around the world, and ensuring that we are getting the best value for money,” said Horner.

He says Alberta already has the most transparent, travel expense reporting program in the country but more work needs to be done.

“That’s why the government has accepted the Auditor General’s recommendations and, among other actions, will implement additional policies and procedures to deepen oversight of the Office of the Premier through the Treasury Board and Treasury Board Committee. We will make even more information about the costs of travel public and talk more clearly about the tangible and intangible benefits to Alberta of this work,” he said.

The opposition is calling for Horner’s resignation saying he knew about the abuse.

“They’ve called for my resignation a number of times over the years and I think in my view, the Auditor General has rightly said that I am responsible for the policies, the administration and the practical application of the Alberta Government Transportation fleet. And I take full responsibility for that and I also accept every recommendation that he’s made as it relates to that. But I would also say that the current policy that we have, the responsibility of the who, what, why and where those flights go rests with the individual senior, which he also said in his report, the senior executive, which in this case is the Office of the Premier, which then would be the premier.”

Horner reiterated that he is responsible for how the booking system works but not for the use of the aircraft.

“When it comes to how flights are booked and who’s on the planes, the policy and the expectation is and has been, that the ministers who request the flights are responsible for using the plane appropriately and that they are also responsible for those scheduled to fly on it. Period,” said Horner.

He says this was the case long before he became minister but that a review is required.

“The current policy is that individual ministers are accountable for who flies, where, when, what they’re going to do. The Auditor General has said that you need to get some clarity around the invited guests. What’s the definition of that? Is it spouse, is it family members? And I agree and I absolutely accept the tightening up of that policy,” said Horner. “In retrospect, should there have been a stronger, black letter policy based on this unprecedented case? Yes and we will make that happen.”

Horner says he intends to work with the Auditor General on all six recommendations to make sure he is comfortable with the outcome and implementation.