Conservative Senate leader Don Plett took brief personal trip to Mexico in December

The Canadian Press

January 4, 2021 5:04 pm

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The Conservative leader in the Senate took a personal trip to Mexico shortly after Christmas.

A spokesperson for Sen. Don Plett says the Manitoba senator travelled to Mexico on Dec. 28.

Upon his arrival, the spokesperson says, Plett “reflected on his decision to travel” and immediately made arrangements to return home to Manitoba.

He returned on Dec. 31 and is quarantining for 14 days as required by Manitoba public health protocols.

The spokesperson says this was Plett’s only trip outside the country since last March, when the COVID-19 pandemic first swept across Canada.

Plett is the latest in a number of federal and provincial politicians to get into hot water for travelling outside the country at a time when ordinary Canadians are being advised to stay home and avoid any non-essential travel in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Inside the province itself, a provincial conservative communications officer confirmed to Global News that one member of the Legislative assembly did travel out of province for the holidays.

“James Teitsma, MLA for Radisson, travelled to Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia with his immediate household members from December 21st – 30th via personal vehicle over the holiday break,” said the staffer in an email.

“They did not gather or socialize with anyone outside their immediate household and all public health orders were followed.”