In his latest podcast For the Record, Coun. Daniel Fontaine focuses the entire edition on Metro Vancouver and the recent discussions of costly international trips to Brisbane, Singapore and Amsterdam.
$17,336.50. That’s how much it cost Metro Vancouver taxpayers to send the Chair of Metro Vancouver to attend the 2023 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors Forum. Keep in mind, that’s for just his airfare! He also attended the conference with two other civic politicians who sit on the Metro Vancouver board.
Now Metro Vancouver Chair Mayor George Harvie is asking taxpayers to pay for his next junket to Amsterdam before he is removed in that role on July 1st. Media are reporting this ticket for this trip is over $5,000. This is on top of the $20K+ taxpayers shelled out to send Mr. Harvie to Singapore.
How should taxpayers react when they see Metro Vancouver directors flying all over the world when the costs for mega projects they are responsible for are ballooning out of control?
The wastewater treatment plant in North Vancouver has gone from $700M to almost $4B in cost. The Iona wastewater treatment plant is now reportedly pegged at $12B and climbing in cost at a rate of $1B very six months.
In this episode Fontaine digs a bit deeper into what exactly is happening at Metro Vancouver regarding travel expenses and more. In “The Way I See It” he asks whether it’s time for our provincial politicians to step in and propose some reforms to provide for more accountability at this unelected and in many ways unaccountable governing body.
Listen to several interviews which aired on CKNW and Global TV with hosts Jas Johal and Jill Bennett as well as reporter Catherine Urquhart. The upcoming events segment also touches on New Westminster’s Hyack Parade and the Heritage Home Tour.
If you liked this episode, be sure to spread the word by telling friends and family to listen for themselves!
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