A Saskatchewan cabinet minister says he’s in California over the holidays to finalize the sale of a home.

Joe Hargrave says in a statement that he’s in Palm Springs to finish up selling personal property and move things back to Saskatchewan.

The Highways Minster and legislature member for Prince Albert Carlton says he made the decision to travel to “address personal business that I deemed necessary.”

His office says he left Saskatchewan on Dec. 22 and his return date depends on the sale of his property being completed.

Hargrave says he told Premier Scott Moe of his travel plans and will self-isolate upon his return to Canada.

Moe says in a separate statement that he told Hargrave he expects him to follow required public-health advice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I expect that all members of cabinet and caucus follow all public health-orders and guidance,” Moe said Wednesday.

Politicians travelling abroad over the holidays has become an issue since it was discovered that Ontario’s finance minister is in the Caribbean. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has ordered Rod Phillips to return as soon as possible.

Saskatchewan has advised people against travelling for non-essential purposes, but has no mandatory self-isolation rule outside of the two weeks for international travel.

Public disclosure statements from March show Hargrave is the joint owner of a personal vacation residence and a recreation residence, but they do not specify locations.

(Stephanie Taylor-Canadian Press)