The bill for the Squamish mayor's Japan trip is in and it reads $4,944.
From Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, District of Squamish Mayor Rob Kirkham, Coun. Ron Sander and their partners were honoured guests at the community's Japanese sister city, Shimizu Town. Officials were invited by Japanese politicians to take part in the town's 50th anniversary celebrations.
The duo attended a formal business reception with community leaders, a temple tea ceremony and a dinner at the private home of the owner of Kameya Food Corp.
The trip was a great opportunity to discuss business, tourism, educational exchange and cultural opportunities, Sander said in an email to The Chief.
Shimizu officials paid for hotels, transfers and meals for Squamish's politicians and their partners. The district covered three airplane flights, with Sander paying for his partner, municipal spokesperson Christina Moore stated in an email.
In total, the district's 2013 budget allocated $11,800 for the trip. Officials used 42 per cent of the allowance $4,944. This includes the cost of the three flights, gifts for Shimizu dignitaries, airport parking and a per diem for the mayor and Sander, Moore said.
Kirkham was back on an airplane to Asian on Wednesday, Nov. 20 returning today (Nov. 28). He accompanied B.C. Premier Christy Clark on the eight-day trade mission, meeting up with officials in the Chinese city of Natong. The community is the site of a Pacific Energy facility the same company proposing to build a liquefied natural gas plant on the former Woodfibre pulp mill site.
Last week Kirkham told The Chief that the Chinese mission will place no burden on Squamish taxpayers as expenses are being covered by industry sponsors.
with files from David Burke
