Alberta politicians are exploring whether taxpayers should cover their work-related e-scooter and e-bike rides.
The Special Standing Committee on Members' Services the body that sets the rules around what Alberta MLAs and legislature staff can expense is looking at whether shared e-scooter and e-bike rides should be added to the approved reimbursement list for work-related travel. The committee is exploring the idea. No vote has taken place and no change has been approved.
Currently, MLAs and caucus staff can be reimbursed for taxi rides, car rentals, and some airfare when travelling for work purposes.
What MLAs already get reimbursed for
The question landing in headlines today sits alongside a much larger expense framework most Albertans do not think about.
Alberta MLAs receive a base salary of $127,932 per year plus a tax-free allowance of $27,216. On top of that, the Members' Allowances Order covers work-related travel expenses accommodation, meals, mileage, taxis, car rentals, and airfare.
Urban MLAs can claim up to 35,000 kilometres in personal vehicle mileage annually. Rural MLAs can claim up to 80,000 kilometres. In 2017-18, one NDP MLA claimed the full 80,000 kilometres a reimbursement of $34,800 in a single year. All MLA expense reports are published publicly on the Legislative Assembly website at assembly.ab.ca, updated quarterly.
Adding e-scooter rides to that list would be a minor line item in dollar terms. A Lime or Bird scooter ride in Edmonton or Calgary typically costs between $1 and $5. The optics of elected officials expensing shared scooter rides is likely what drove this into the news.
How the committee works
The Special Standing Committee on Members' Services operates differently from most legislative committees. It does not pass bills or go through the full legislature for approval it has the authority to amend the Members' Allowances Order directly. When it approves a change, the change takes effect.
The committee most recently amended MLA remuneration rules in January and February 2025. Its proceedings and approved minutes are public through the Legislature Library at assembly.ab.ca.
The committee includes MLAs from all parties. Whatever decision it reaches on e-scooters and e-bikes will apply to members of every caucus equally UCP, NDP, and independents alike.
Why this might actually make sense
Setting aside the optics, there is a practical argument for the change.
E-scooters and e-bikes are now a standard part of how people get around Edmonton and Calgary. Lime and Bird operate year-round in both cities. A $3 scooter ride between legislature buildings is cheaper than a $15 taxi. If the goal of the expense framework is to reimburse MLAs for reasonable work-related transportation costs, excluding e-scooters while covering taxis is an odd distinction.
Other Canadian legislatures have not yet moved in this direction, which is partly why this is drawing attention. No decision has been announced and no timeline has been given.
Sources:
The Canadian Press, Alberta politicians exploring putting taxpayers on hook for MLA e-scooter rides, June 10, 2026
Alberta Legislative Assembly, Members' Allowances Order and 2025-2026 MLA Remuneration (assembly.ab.ca)
Alberta Legislative Assembly, Special Standing Committee on Members' Services (assembly.ab.ca/assembly-business/committees/MS)
Alberta Legislative Assembly, Expense Disclosure Guidelines (assembly.ab.ca)
