Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley noted politicians are under scrutiny when it comes to international travel.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley found himself in the awkward position of discussing international travel for government staff just days before he took over as Metro Vancouver mayor and postponed such trips.
The city council is considering an overseas “goodwill” trip to Asia next year that could cost more than $100,000.
At a July 23 meeting of the International Relations and Friendly Cities Committee, Hurley noted that international travel is under scrutiny in Metro Vancouver.
“There's a lot of scrutiny around politicians' travel right now, so you have to be mindful of that,” he said. “Personally, this is not something I want to take on.”
Some Metro directors, including Hurley, came under fire for traveling to a conference in the Netherlands in April amid growing local concern about rising costs at the North Shore wastewater treatment plant.
But Councilman Pietro Calendino, chairman of the Sister Cities Committee, disagreed.
“It's not just a field trip. It's an economic and educational exchange,” Calendino said.
“Yes, I understand,” the mayor replied, “but the people don't care.”
Hurley also told the committee that his new role as Metro Vancouver chair will make it difficult for him to find time to travel and he may not be able to take part in the Asia visit.
On July 26, Hurley, the Metro Vancouver premier, banned local government council members from traveling internationally.
Burnaby's Sister and Friendship Cities
The planned Asia trip for 2025 will include visits to Kushiro in Japan, Hwaseong in South Korea and Taichung in Taiwan.
Kushiro and Hwaseong are sister cities of Burnaby, and Taichung is a “friendship city.”
The commission's report said such relationships bring “substantial long-term benefits to local communities, including greater economic and cultural awareness.”
Burnaby and Kushiro signed a sister city agreement in 1965 to “promote international friendship between Canada and Japan” and to promote industrial, economic and cultural exchanges.
For a 15-day trip to Asia, the estimated cost per delegate is $15,000-$17,500, broken down as follows:
Airfare (premium economy or business class): $8,500 to $11,000 Accommodation: $4,500 Meals: $2,000
Other expenses included ground transportation ($15,000), hosting a dinner ($25,000) and a token of appreciation ($6,000), totaling $46,000, according to the report.
When Burnaby visited its sister city city of Mesa, Arizona, in April of this year, a delegation of eight people, including city council members and city staff, spent a total of $26,890 over five days.
City spokesperson Chris Bryan told Burnaby Now the goodwill visit to Asia has not yet been approved by city council and the delegate list will not be finalized until it is approved.
The year 2025 will mark the 60th anniversary of the sister city partnership between Burnaby and Kushiro, the 15th anniversary of the sister city partnership between Burnaby and Hwacheng, and the 16th anniversary of the friendship city declaration between Burnaby and Taichung.
Staff will report back to council with further information, including options for travel dates.
If approved, the trip will go through an early budgeting process to allow staff time to make travel arrangements.
The city will also be inviting members of the local business community, Tourism Burnaby, Burnaby Chamber of Commerce, Burnaby School Board, SFU and BCIT to join the visit.
