Dear Editor:
It was reported (Singtao Daily News, April 6) that the mayor of Burnaby led a group of eight on a fiveday visit to Mesa, Arizona, spending $12,000 and going to the opera, watching professional baseball and playing golf for two days.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation criticized that the mayor should avoid these kinds of trips, which involve public funds but do not result in any substantial benefit to the residents of the city.
The mayor responded that it was part of a scheduled visit program to enhance mutual commercial relationships, to explore commercial opportunities and to promote the exchange of municipal administration experience. He continued that "if I think that this activity does not benefit the residents at all, I would not have approved the relevant expenditure."
As a property taxpayer, I am far from being satisfied with the mayor's statement. I think that after each trip, the leader of the group should submit to the city council and publish for the residents' scrutiny a report, which should cover: 1) transportation costs, board and lodging, entertainment expenses, etc.; 2) the formation of the group, each member's official position and his/her function during the trip; 3) the names and official positions of the people contacted in the destination city; and 4) the results, i.e achievements, from the visit. I should be grateful if the municipal government would announce when and where the report is published.
