Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, to this motion I don't think I can support this motion, but I think it speaks to an issue of concern. To me, to report southern and international travel isn't nearly as interesting as reporting to me what they were doing when they were there, in terms of whether it was productive, whether it was something that we really needed to do. How many people went in the entourage is another question. Did they stay in a $200 a night hotel room, or a $500? Those are the kinds of things that I would find interesting, to know whether the government is being frugal and very prudent with the taxpayers' dollars. I just think this question doesn't really tell me that much, and it would be very burdensome from an administrative point of view. But somehow there must be another mechanism to get the message out there. I always use the diamond secretariat; like, how many more times do you have to go to Antwerp, you know? I always use that as an example, because you look down that travel budget for some of those various sectors, it's just incredible the millions of dollars that are spent on travel. I think we need to have a discussion about what's the purpose of the travel. So just this in itself is a bit shallow, so I don't think I'm going to support it. Thanks.
Jane Groenewegen on Committee Motion 14-15(3): Recommendation To Establish Regular Reporting Of All Southern And International Travel, Carried
In the Legislative Assembly on March 29th, 2004. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 14-15(3): Recommendation To Establish Regular Reporting Of All Southern And International Travel, Carried
Revert To Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 29th, 2004
Page 451
See context to find out what was said next.