EDMONTON -- The minister in charge of Alberta's cities is finding himself in hot water for saying too many urban dwellers lounge about in condos contributing little to the economy.
Doug Griffiths made the comments in the legislature when he was asked about certain tax rules that favour rural citizens.
Griffiths said it was unfair to single out rural Albertans who do core work to support -- quote -- "urban Albertans who sit in high-rise condos and don't necessarily contribute to the grassroots of this economy."
Griffiths later told reporters that he was reflecting what some rural Albertans told him and that the comments are not his personal view.
Liberal house leader Laurie Blakeman notes that Griffiths is a rural legislature member and she suggests he has a bias.
She says that's evident because he's been reluctant to pursue a promised charter with big cities.
