An ATIP requested by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation shows bureaucrats at Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) rang up a big bill on a recent trip to the west coast.
Three officials from the federal economic development organization traveled to Tacoma, Seattle and Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Documents show that the trip was intended to be a trade mission to examine the best shipping port practices. Two of the same ECBC officials also held meetings in Chicago/Oregon to promote Highland Links and the Keltic Lodge.
Total cost to taxpayers?
$19,087.68
What did the almost $19,000 in expenses submitted by the three ECBC representatives include?
A night at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, that according to its website is “the only soundproofed luxury hotel and spa conveniently located inside the Vancouver international airport”. It was named “Best Airport Hotel-2011”. The now infamous Savoy Hotel in London where Cabinet Minister Bev Oda stayed is also a Fairmont. Total actual cost of this Fairmont Hotel: $250.19 per night.
Continuing on the theme of luxury, for his flights, it appears from the documents that ECBC CEO John Lynn opted for first class. Total airline costs: $8,165.52
And apparently a trip like this wouldn’t be complete without some good food, fun and entertainment.
While in Chicago, taxpayers paid for a trip to the House of Blues, a novelty restaurant and concert hall, where ECBC CEO billed $110.52.
Attached are all of the receipts from the ECBC portion of the trip.
But, the total bill to taxpayers for this trip is even higher. In an interview on Feb 13th, 2012 ECBC CEO John Lynn named a number of other government agencies that sent representatives, and who also charged taxpayers their expenses.
Cecil Clarke, a former provincial cabinet minister and federal candidate, who is now with the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority on a $135,000 a year contract paid for by ECBC was along for the ride. He was joined by representatives from the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Authority and the Nova Scotia provincial crown corporation Trade Centre Limited.
We all recognize that some travel for legitimate business purposes is part of the job. But spending this much money on a research trip of “best practices” demonstrates a fundamental disrespect for the hardworking taxpayers who fund these jaunts. How many more bills like these do we need to expose before government representatives start behaving responsibly?
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