New Brunswick’s Minister of Tourism, Tammy Scott-Wallace, defended the expense claims of her deputy minister, Yennah Hurley, including over $19,000 in moving costs, saying that the government will continue to adhere to the relocation policy that is in effect across the provincial government. The expenses, which were incurred when Hurley relocated from Quispamsis to Fredericton, include a $15,000 real estate commission, $3,550 for movers, and $770 in legal fees. Hurley’s job has been based in Fredericton since 2019. Opposition politicians have criticized the expenses, arguing that taxpayers should not be paying for the moving costs of government employees. Green Leader David Coon said it was “almost unbelievable” that taxpayers were covering the moving expenses, while Liberal MLA Rene Légacy questioned whether the expenses were in line with government policies. Premier Blaine Higgs has stated that the executive council office will be reviewing policies on overseas travel expenses, which were also part of Hurley’s $77,000 expenses last year. The relocation policy states that moving costs can be covered at the discretion of a deputy minister if an employee is transferred. However, Hurley’s job has been based in Fredericton since 2019. A government spokesperson said that Hurley was hired on a ‘personal service contract,’ and officials with those kinds of deals negotiate their own terms with the premier’s office. In 2021, it was revealed that Hurley was receiving a $955 monthly living allowance, along with other expenses, while commuting from Quispamsis to the capital. She also claimed mileage expenses from Fredericton to Saint John for meetings there.
New Brunswick Deputy Tourism Minister’s Expenses Draw Criticism
