Alberta's premier is asking the legislature move up its next session a few days so he can go on a fundraising fishing trip, a request at least one critic is calling "ridiculous."

The legislature is scheduled to sit for five days beginning on Aug. 30 so politicians can deal with the issue of spending an extra $200 million on health and education.

But Premier Ralph Klein, who is stepping down in late fall, said Monday he'd like the shortened session to begin on Aug. 28, instead.

He's scheduled to be in B.C. on a fishing trip on Sept. 4. The trip with the premier was bought by a group of businessmen at a fundraising auction, said Klein.

"He paid $50,000. This is going to be his last kick at the cat as far as this premier is concerned," Klein said.

If the house does resume sitting on Aug. 28, Klein said he'll likely only attend the first four days.

'Very silly, just ridiculous'

A spokesman for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation in Alberta said the legislature's summer sitting should go ahead as scheduled, even if it interferes with Ralph Klein's fishing trip.

"Switching around for a guy who probably doesn't really want to come back for it anyways seems very silly, just ridiculous," said Alberta director Scott Hennig.

Alberta Liberal house leader Laurie Blakeman said she's surprised at Klein's effort to clear room on his schedule. Klein has missed huge chunks of every legislative session she's been in with him, she says.

"Seeing as he's very near the end of his term, I'm surprised he's willing to be there at all. And frankly, I don't know how much he has to contribute to the goings-on anymore, but it would be fun to have him there," she said.

Klein had hoped the spring session would be his last before he retires later this year.

He was given an emotional send-off from the legislature in May, when it was believed the Tory leadership race to replace him as party leader and premier would scrub any fall session.