Media Release: Mayor Nenshi responds to question about Toronto visit

Mayor Nenshi while in Toronto. Photo by Brent Gundlock, Postmedia News

The following is a statement from Mayor Nenshi regarding recent questions about his trip to Toronto:

I am currently in Toronto speaking to many people and meeting with the local and national media. This is an excellent opportunity for me to tell the story of Calgary, reinforce our important role in the country, and even encourage more business to come to our city. After one day, I’ve received much positive feedback from many of Toronto's business and community leaders.

My schedule in Toronto is very busy and includes speaking at three events with over 1,000 decision-makers and community members attending. During these three days, I have at least six interviews with local and national media, with exposure for Calgary in the millions.

A tour like this is part of the role of Mayor. A mayor must be a champion for the city at home and abroad.

Of course, such travel has costs. The majority of this trip is paid for by my office’s budget. But, to offset expenses for the benefit of the taxpayer, my flight there and back was paid for by Kasian, who invited me to speak at their Healthy Cities Symposium. The total cost was $721.51 for an economy seat. It is normal for the host of such an event to reimburse a speaker for their travel expenses so the cost does not fall on the taxpayer.

Indeed, I am speaking at an event next week in Vancouver, hosted by the Local Government Leadership Academy, which is also paying for my flight so that the cost ($659.14) does not fall to the taxpayer.

I am not aware of any direct financial activities or relationships between Kasian and the City of Calgary, and would not be engaged in any such activities or decisions if I were.

These are not gifts—they are ways to offset costs that would otherwise be shouldered by the taxpayer.

I disclosed to the media before the trip that Kasian had paid for the flight because it is important that elected officials be transparent. This is my commitment to Calgarians. Another commitment to Calgarians is to provide value for money, and if I can save taxpayer dollars, I will.

I am surprised by the criticism that I have received from a few Aldermen given that they themselves did not disclose their donors during the election, including potential contributions from developers who may well have active projects in their wards and before Council.

Given their comments I expect that they will support the campaign finance reform and transparency for which I have advocated for years.