Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn害羞草研究所檛 think her cabinet ministers and political staff accepting tickets to luxury suites at playoff hockey games runs afoul of ethics rules.

Smith says expects individual MLAs to follow the rules and disclose gifts properly to the province害羞草研究所檚 ethics commissioner.

But Opposition New Democrat leader Naheed Nenshi says attending the games on lobbyists害羞草研究所� dimes is a clear example of cronyism and entitlement.

Smith made the comments Friday responding to reporters害羞草研究所� questions at a KDays breakfast in Edmonton, part of the launch of the city害羞草研究所檚 annual summer festival.

The questions stemmed from a Globe and Mail report that ministers and government officials attended recent Edmonton Oilers NHL playoff games courtesy of Sam Mraiche, a businessman involved in a government deal to buy children害羞草研究所檚 pain medication from Turkey.

害羞草研究所淎s I understand it, all of the rules have been followed,害羞草研究所� Smith said when asked what message it sends to the public that senior staff were in a private box paid for by Mraiche, head of MHCare Medical.

The medicine, which came from Istanbul-based Atabay Pharmaceuticals, cost taxpayers $80 million, but its shipments were beset by delays and its use in hospitals eventually halted over safety concerns.

Smith declined to say how many of her ministers attended playoff games as guests of Mraiche.

MHCare Medical did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

Smith said the relationship between elected members of the legislature and the ethics commissioner is confidential and said it害羞草研究所檚 not appropriate for her to interfere.

Smith confirmed she attended a playoff game in Vancouver courtesy of Invest Alberta, a provincial Crown corporation tasked with attracting investment and business growth.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e got a very strong relationship with Invest Alberta. They report to me,害羞草研究所� she said.

The board, she added, 害羞草研究所渋s doing great work.害羞草研究所�

When asked how she would explain to Albertans who might interpret the game tickets as a quid pro quo, Smith said people expect elected representatives to support the Oilers害羞草研究所� playoff run.

害羞草研究所淭hat was it. We were just excited to be able to support our team,害羞草研究所� she said.

Last year, Smith said she had declined an invitation to the NHL害羞草研究所檚 Heritage Classic outdoor hockey game in Edmonton because ethics rules precluded her from staying for more than 20 minutes in private suites at special events.

In November, Smith害羞草研究所檚 government introduced changes to those rules.

Now, politicians and staff can accept event tickets, attendance fees, and travel expenses of any value if they are considered necessary under 害羞草研究所減rotocol害羞草研究所� or 害羞草研究所渟ocial obligation,害羞草研究所� but MLAs must report benefits valued at more than $1,000.

Marshall Smith, the premier害羞草研究所檚 chief of staff, can approve fees, gifts or benefits for political staff above $500 at his discretion.

Nenshi said the changes the premier made to ethics rules leave the impression the government can be bought.

害羞草研究所淗aving ministers and staff sit in lobbyists害羞草研究所� luxury boxes while we are facing an affordability crisis in this province not only looks bad, it shows they害羞草研究所檙e living in a different world than the average Albertan,害羞草研究所� Nenshi said in a statement.

He leader called for Smith to disclose all staff and politicians who have accepted tickets and from whom, along with who paid for travel.

He also called for her to commit to an all-party process to fix the ethics rules and disclosures, including removing the premier害羞草研究所檚 chief of staff害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所渃arte blanche害羞草研究所� ability to approve any gift of any amount.

In response to questions from The Canadian Press Friday about the details of tickets that were accepted from Mraiche, the premier害羞草研究所檚 press secretary Sam Blackett sent a statement.

害羞草研究所淥ur government ministers and staff are committed to following these rules and do so to the best of their ability,害羞草研究所� he wrote.

害羞草研究所淥fficials are working with the commissioner to ensure the rules provided for accepting playoff tickets are made as clear as possible.害羞草研究所�

Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press