Minister paid for OJ, but not limousines
International Development Minister Bev Oda, under fire from critics over a lavish stay at a London hotel last year during a conference that reportedly included a $16 glass of orange juice and about $1,000 per day on limousines, has reimbursed taxpayers for a fraction of the spending.
Oda opted out of the five-star Grange St. Paul’s Hotel, where her conference was held, in favour of the Savoy, a swanky hotel frequented by royalty, on a government-paid trip that cost tax pay-ers more than her original travel plans. But the government announced she was reimbursing some of the additional costs from the June international confer-ence — held to discuss vaccines and immunization for children in developing countries — after they were uncovered by the Canadian Press.
“Our government believes very much that all ministers must respect taxpayer dollars,” said the government’s House leader, Peter Van Loan, in response to questions in the House of Commons. “The minister of course has repaid the costs in question.”
Oda was not in the Commons. Her office declined to say why she had not offered to reimburse limousine expenses, noting that her expenses respected government guidelines.
Oda’s spokesman, Justin Broekema, explained that overall travel spending by her office and other ministers of cabinet have decreased in recent years. But opposition critics ridiculed the explanations, noting that Oda had previously been forced to reimburse travel costs after revelations she spent $17,000 on limousine expenses in her first 15 months as a federal minister.
“This is a woman with a long history,” said NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus. “Is someone over there not embarrassed by her behaviour? Will someone stand up and apologize to the hard-working Canadian taxpayers? She is living like a queen off their backs.”
Broekema said taxpayers would not be on the hook for a cancellation fee, additional costs incurred at the Savoy, as well as the orange juice. But the opposition said she should also reimburse taxpayers for her limousine travel.