Corrigan’s Korea trip raises eyebrows
A prospective candidate in this fall’s municipal election is questioning whether a trip Burnaby city council members and staff are taking to South Korea next week is worth the cost to taxpayers.
However, Mayor Derek Corrigan is defending the excursion as a chance to enhance Burnaby’s relationship with its sister city Hwaseong, and make some important connections that could have spinoff opportunities for Burnaby.
“I question the value of the trip,” said Rick McGowan, who has run unsuccessfully for a council seat in the past and plans to put his name forward in September as a Green candidate. “Are we spending the taxpayers’ money wisely and are we getting value for money?”
On Feb. 16, Corrigan, Coun. Dan Johnston and four or five staff members — city manager Lambert Chu; director of planning and building Lou Pelletier; director of parks, recreation and cultural services Dave Ellenwood; community engagement manager Aaron Fourt, and possibly director of public safety and community services Dave Critchley — will leave for a weeklong trip to South Korea.
Representatives from an external delegation that includes members of some of Burnaby’s business, tourism and sport organizations will accompany them.
On the itinerary are stops in Hwaseong, Gangneung, Wonju and Seoul. Activities include a tour of the arena in Gangneung and a preliminary Olympic hockey match between South Korea and Canada; a visit to a Kia factory; visiting other companies, a university and embassies; meeting city councils; and Corrigan receiving honorary citizenship at a ceremony in Seoul.
The city will cover the expenses — flights, accommodation and a per diem, Corrigan said — associated with the trip for council and staff. External delegation members will pay their own expenses.
Corrigan said the cost of excursions and special events, such as the hockey game tickets, are covered by the host cities.
Corrigan did not have an estimate for the trip cost, but a trip he and councillors took to Hwaseong and Kushiro, Japan in 2015 cost between $8,556 and $10,748 per person. Corrigan said money for this trip will come from gaming funds.
McGowan wants to know how Burnaby will benefit.
“There could be some value … the benefit is not really costed out,” he said.
Corrigan said building relationships is one thing that takes place on overseas trips, but he said there have been tangible benefits from past trips, such as Burnaby hosting the World Taekwondo Championships in 2016 and a major contract for a Burnaby company in China.
“It can work into tangible things ... but it often takes time,” Corrigan said.