Governor General billed taxpayers $3 million for travel during first year in office
By Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
Taxpayers were billed nearly $3 million in travel expenses for Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon during her first year in office.
Data provided to Bloc Québécois MP Julie Vignola and released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation showed that Simon’s four overseas trips and 17 domestic engagements cost Canadians $2.78 million in 2022.
Additional receipts have yet been released, which means that the actual cost could be much higher.
“Simon should have the courtesy and common sense to realize many Canadians are struggling and can’t afford to pay for her expensive trips,” CTF federal director Franco Terrazzano told the National Post.
Simon’s trip costs included the controversial $100,000 flight catering bill for her trip to the Middle East.
In total, Canadians spent $1.3 million so that Simon could visit the Dubai Expo 2022 and meet with Qatar and Kuwait leadership.
While attending the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in London, Simon billed taxpayers $28,438 on air and ground travel as well as $3,158 on food and $7,193 for lodging. Receipts also showed $13,296 in other expenses.