By Staff
April 2, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward is going to be packing her wardrobe, including those high heels, and hitting the road during the summer.
Marianne Med Ward the evening she was sworn in as Mayor.
She will be traveling in Canada and then around the world: Japan and then France. It is a solid schedule with a lot of work to do.
First trip is to the FCM conference – a critical event for the municipal sector.
May 30 – June 2: Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference (FCM)
The annual FCM conference is where Mayors from across the country “shape and vote on advocacy items for the federal government, which in the past has succeeded in federal commitments to significant municipal infrastructure funding.”
There are also professional development sessions and “study tours” , where Mayors get to see how things are done in the host city which this year will be Quebec City.
The cost to the city: Flights for Mayor and 2 staff members, Hotel rooms in Quebec. Meals and Taxis. Mayor’s expenses paid from a Regional government budget. Staff expenses from Mayor’s office budget account and are expected to amount to approximately $2500 total.
The next trip is one that is international in scope and something Burlingtonians have dozens of reasons to be proud of.
June 3-9: Juno Beach 75th Anniversary Event
The purpose of this trip is to honour Burlington’s D-Day veterans, Burlington’s connection to the Juno Beach Centre, which was the result of some very hard work by Burlington resident Garth Webb.
June Beach Centre, Normandy France where thousands of Canadian Armed Forces came ashore to begin the assault that eventually won WW II
There will be performances by the Burlington Teen Tour Band, our Mayor will meet the meet the Mayor of Courseulles-sur-Mer and attend the commemorative event on June 6th with other VIPs and dignitaries.
Sculpture at the Juno Beach Centre, Normandy France
Costs: Economy flight for Mayor and 1 staff member, AirBnB shared accommodations, Car Rental and meals. The Mayor’s and staff member’s expenses paid for from Mayor’s office budget account. Flights $2450. Accommodations $1400. Car Rental/Gas $600. Meals per diem $1400. (Total: $5850)
July is a quiet month for the Mayor from a travel perspective. In August she travels to Ottawa for the annual AMO conference where some major issues have to be dealt with
August 18-21: Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference (AMO)
The annual conference of Ontario Mayors is a must event – particularly given the decisions that are expected out of Queen’s Park in the months ahead. The Provincial Review that could change the way Burlington is governed – we are currently a two tier government with the Region handling services that are region wide.
The AMO conference is where the Premier usually speaks and the Mayors get to meet one on one with provincial ministers and advocate on behalf of the City and Region.
Costs: Flights for Mayor and 2 staff members, Hotel rooms in Ottawa. Meals and Taxis. Mayor’s expenses paid are paid by the Region, staff expenses from Mayor’s office budget account. Staff member expenses estimated at approximately $2500 total.
October 15-20 – Itabashi Anniversary Trip to Japan
The trees in Spencer Smith Park were a gift to Burlington from a resident of Itabashi, Japan.
The purpose of this trip is to continue to strengthen our relationship with our twin city, Itabashi, and return the courtesy of the trip they made here in July of this year for the same reason. The Mayor will travel with other members of the Mundialization Committee and have support from a person travelling with the group from the Clerks department.
Details: Flight for Mayor (economy) to Japan, hotel, meals, taxis. Costing: Mayor’s expenses paid for from the Mundialization Budget/Reserve fund.
Total expected expense is estimated to be $3,151 per person for flights/accommodation/airport transfers.
These are dollars well spent. This Mayor will deliver strong message at the Canadian events and make us proud internationally.
Our mayor is doing a great job and I believe her performance will warrant her being returned to the office of Burlington several times. Therefore it is best to get all of the good training and relationships established at the beginning of her time in office. Keep up the good work Marianne Burlington supports you.
“Those heals”?!! What has footwear got to do with any of this? Be honourable. Retract.
I could see it for next or future years, but our new mayor inherited numerous municipal and regional problems needing attention here.
This reads like a travel agency itinerary, I’m sure the Mayor and any staff that accompany her will be fiscally responsible.
But once again, why does The Gazette feel the need to write comments like “including those high heels”????? WHO CARES????? You wouldn’t write this crap if any of the male mayoral candidates had been elected.