Redford accused of using children as political 'props'

Premier Alison Redford was accused of using school children as "props" while she criticized opposition parties at government news conferences last week.

Redford announced new schools in front of an audience of elementary students at events in Calgary and Edmonton.

On both occasions, she claimed the Opposition had a "build-nothing approach."

In Monday’s question period, NDP leader Brian Mason criticized Redford for using a government announcement to go after her political opponents.

"On the one hand, this premier is breaking promises with cuts to programs, increasing class sizes and imposing a reduced quality of education," Mason said.

"On the other hand, she pulls kids out of class to serve as props for her partisan political attacks on the Opposition."

Wildrose leader Danielle Smith said that Redford broke the rules by making political statements. 

"When she’s acting as premier and she’s making a taxpayer announcement about new schools, that is a rule that she should keep completely non-partisan," Smith said.

"And I think she crossed the line on that."  

Redford said there was nothing wrong with reminding people why they voted for her party in last year's election.

"There is nothing wrong with ensuring that we remind people that last year they had a choice, Mr. Speaker," Redford told the legislature. "And they chose to build schools."