An NDP government would give nonprofits free access to the Sky Palace — a space they can already rent for $200..NDP Infrastructure Critic Rod Loyola said the Sky Palace — referring to the 11th floor of the Federal Building — reflects “conservative entitlement” and should be opened to non-profits, community or cultural groups, and others..“That is why if we are given the privilege of forming the next government we would immediately open up the Sky Palace to the people of Alberta and transform it,” Loyola said in a Thursday morning announcement outside the Federal Building..In a post to Twitter, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s executive director of communications Brock Harrison said the space is already available to nonprofits..According to the Government of Alberta website, meeting spaces can only be used by not-for-profit organizations registered under the Societies Act within the Province of Alberta. Government business takes priority over private bookings..Public access to the space is currently suspended due to COVID-19..The NDP say they would give groups free access to the space for events, while it costs groups a $200 rental free under the UCP government..The government also requires liability insurance, which the NDP said they would likely require as well..The space was nicknamed Sky Palace after it was revealed former Premier Alison Redford had commissioned a penthouse suite to be constructed and modelled after the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington D.C..The NDP announcement also sought to draw attention to what they call “Tory elitism,” as it was made on the one year anniversary of the Sky Palace dinner. Premier Jason Kenney, House Leader Jason Nixon, then Health Minister Tyler Shandro, and then finance minister Travis Toews were photographed dining in the space while restaurants were closed due to COVID restrictions. Kenney later apologized for violating his public health rules..Toews resigned from cabinet earlier this week to run for the UCP leadership.
An NDP government would give nonprofits free access to the Sky Palace — a space they can already rent for $200..NDP Infrastructure Critic Rod Loyola said the Sky Palace — referring to the 11th floor of the Federal Building — reflects “conservative entitlement” and should be opened to non-profits, community or cultural groups, and others..“That is why if we are given the privilege of forming the next government we would immediately open up the Sky Palace to the people of Alberta and transform it,” Loyola said in a Thursday morning announcement outside the Federal Building..In a post to Twitter, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s executive director of communications Brock Harrison said the space is already available to nonprofits..According to the Government of Alberta website, meeting spaces can only be used by not-for-profit organizations registered under the Societies Act within the Province of Alberta. Government business takes priority over private bookings..Public access to the space is currently suspended due to COVID-19..The NDP say they would give groups free access to the space for events, while it costs groups a $200 rental free under the UCP government..The government also requires liability insurance, which the NDP said they would likely require as well..The space was nicknamed Sky Palace after it was revealed former Premier Alison Redford had commissioned a penthouse suite to be constructed and modelled after the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington D.C..The NDP announcement also sought to draw attention to what they call “Tory elitism,” as it was made on the one year anniversary of the Sky Palace dinner. Premier Jason Kenney, House Leader Jason Nixon, then Health Minister Tyler Shandro, and then finance minister Travis Toews were photographed dining in the space while restaurants were closed due to COVID restrictions. Kenney later apologized for violating his public health rules..Toews resigned from cabinet earlier this week to run for the UCP leadership.
