HALIFAX, N.S. - Nova Scotia's premier is going to the Vancouver Olympics, saying he'll use free tickets provided by the British Columbia government.
The NDP was critical of the former Tory government earlier this year, saying that former Conservative premier Rodney MacDonald should pay his own trip if he travelled to Vancouver.
However, Premier Darrell Dexter says today in a news release he's decided to go the Games to show support for Nova Scotia's athletes, but it makes no mention of whether the premier is paying his own way.
The province has signed on to the contributing provinces program, committing it to provide $1.5 million to assist in the games, despite facing a deficit for this year of $525 million.
In addition, Nova Scotia has invested $500,000 in the Atlantic Canada House Olympic pavilion, which is also sponsored by New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
A news release says the province also has an $800,000 budget for its Olympic participation.