Manitoba (Canada) Premier Brian Pallister appeared to marvel on social media in recent days at Winnipeg’s wintry weather, but in reality, he was at his vacation home in tropical Costa Rica, his office has confirmed.
Pallister’s Twitter and Instagram accounts put up a few pictures last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, as daytime Winnipeg temperatures hovered around -20 Celsius (-3 Fahrenheit).
You’ll need a shovel on this #MondayMorning ❄️???? pic.twitter.com/8eV4VyYPdZ
— Brian Pallister (@Brian_Pallister) February 4, 2019
The messages, it turns out, were posted by one or more of Pallister’s staff. Pallister’s office offered a brief explanation as to why, but would not confirm details as to how long Pallister had been out of the country.
“As a rule, we do not comment on the premier’s schedule due to security considerations,” read a written statement from the premier’s office.
“The premier’s Twitter account is used as a communications tool to maintain a continuous digital conversation with his audience. It can include comments on news events, anniversaries, disasters and emergencies, and significant weather events.”
Expect blowing snow ❄️ and gusting wind ???? this afternoon! #staywarm my fellow Manitobans! #WeatherWednesday pic.twitter.com/uNGPdL6nLG
— Brian Pallister (@Brian_Pallister) February 6, 2019
Pallister has faced repeated criticism over his Costa Rican villa purchased in 2008.
In 2016, he said he planned to spend six to eight weeks a year in Costa Rica during his time as premier. He later revised the number to five weeks.
In 2017 — a little more than a year after his Progressive Conservatives swept to power — government documents revealed Pallister was communicating with staff through his wife’s cellphone and personal email account while down south.
in 2018, Pallister admitted to not having paid a Costa Rican national tax on luxury homes because he had failed to update his property assessment.
Source: CTV News.
