Miss Canada Mariana Valente walks during the swimsuit event of the 2009 Miss Universe competition in the Bahamas.Brennan Linsley/The Associated Press
Call it tourism and tiaras.
An Alberta government backbencher is floating the idea of bringing an international beauty pageant to the province as a tourism booster.
Edmonton MLA Carl Benito first suggested the idea at a meeting last month, pointing out the concept is popular in Asian countries.
Tourism Minister Cindy Ady didn't dismiss the idea, but said more work would need to be done to figure out whether such an event would actually draw tourism to the province.
Dorothy McKenna, executive director of the Lethbridge-based group Womanspace, says she's horrified by the idea. She says the province would be better to spend tax dollars supporting women in need rather than propping up outdated contests focused on how they look.