5 councillors go to Ottawa
Over $10,000 spent on networking and socializing.
Not one, not two, not three or four councillors went to Ottawa this week. But five made the expensive journey to capitalize on photo opps and networking opportunities.
In an unprecedented fashion, West Nipissing sent five representatives to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in Ottawa this year.
The 4-day event cost nearly $1,000 per attendee and hotels around the convention centre ran at over $200 per night. Combined with the cost of travel and meals, this conference likely cost West Nipissing well over $10,000.
Many municipalities have been receiving criticism for spending money they can’t afford to lose on social events like this. In one column last week, a Niagara Falls journalist opined that AMO “is an annual conference that is little more than an excuse for municipal politicians to leave their sleepy towns and party in the big city for a week on the taxpayer’s dime.”
In a Facebook post, Councillor Kris Rivard noted that he “had a great time” while pointing to the highlight of the week for council: Meeting Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, Edith Dumont*.
*A Lieutenant Governor is a completely symbolic role appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada with no legislative duties.
Rivard also met with his Green Party of Ontario caucus while he was in Ottawa. This was likely to strategize for the upcoming provincial elections which many predict could occur in 2025. I inquired with Rivard as to whether the Green Party paid for part of the cost of attending this conference, however I did not receive a response.
While Rivard was busy advancing his provincial political career, other councillors enjoyed one of the several complimentary receptions featuring open bars included every night of the event with the $1,000 price of admission.
In one photo posted on social media, Deputy Mayor Jamie Restoule and Councillor Daniel Gagne are seen stacking their many drinks at one of these receptions.
Last week when announcing she would be attending the event, Mayor Kathleen Thorne-Rochon said she and the four councillors’ focus would be around forestry. She noted that they had an important meeting planned with the Ministry of Forestry to discuss recent mill closings in Espanola.
When pressed on social media if this event was worth it in light of West Nipissing’s budget constrains, Councillor Rivard answered “I strongly believe that conferences are a great investment for West Nipissing”.
The West Nip Voice is a regular newsletter covering issues in West Nipissing and the surrounding area. Please consider becoming a subscriber.
What a waste of money.As if they can justify this event.They have no shame at all even posting pictures of themselves partying at our expense 😡
Interesting that these are the very same people who would not spend $1,000 to test Municipal water supply for manganese. Also interesting that these are the very same people who voted NOT to help the then emerging Food Bank 'No More Tears'. Just as a university professor must profess something these so called 'councilors' should be in a position to 'counsel' something. So far they sure haven't been sterling examples of restraint. Wasn't it less then 6 months ago that they made a similarly expensive trip to Toronto where, incidentally, once again hooked up with Green Party celebrities? Convenient isn't it when our councilors can hook up with their chosen federal and provincial party representatives. As for networking and socializing what the heck do they think Skype is for? Right now I think that the people of West Nipissing should start Growing vegetables and STOP electing them to Council.