Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s recent visit to Texas to discuss trade and tariffs cost taxpayers approximately $93,000, as revealed in a document obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request. The total expenses for the trip, which included a two-day preparation phase, amounted to $93,179, according to the document. It emphasized efforts to achieve favorable outcomes while minimizing costs. Cost-saving strategies employed during the trip included securing sponsorship from the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, opting for a reception instead of a more costly meal event, maintaining minimal staffing levels, and booking government-rate hotel accommodations.
During his Texas tour, Ford traveled to Houston, Dallas, and Austin, where he engaged with various business leaders and companies. Despite initial plans, a scheduled meeting between Ford and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a close ally of former President Trump, did not materialize. The premier’s office defended the trip, highlighting the longstanding trade relationship between Texas and Ontario, which benefits both regions’ economies, families, and workers. The office stated that the visit facilitated discussions with over 10 major employers, paving the way for potential investments worth billions, additional job opportunities, and stronger economic ties between Ontario and the U.S.
Opposition leaders criticized Ford’s trip, labeling it as wasteful expenditure. NDP Leader Marit Stiles questioned the tangible outcomes and investments resulting from the visit, deeming it an extravagance. Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser referred to the trip as a mere spectacle, expressing skepticism about its accomplishments, particularly the absence of a meeting with the Texas governor. Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner urged transparency in Ford’s travel expenditures, advocating for fiscal responsibility in government spending.
The decision note did not provide a detailed breakdown of the trip’s expenses. Despite inquiries from CBC News for a cost breakdown, the premier’s office did not furnish one in its response. The trip’s cost and implications have sparked debates and raised concerns about the allocation of public funds for official travels.
