Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s recent visit to Texas to discuss trade and tariffs incurred expenses totaling slightly over $93,000, as revealed in a decision note obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request. The total expenditure for the trip, which included a two-day preliminary mission to organize logistics, amounted to $93,179, as detailed in the decision note.
Efforts were made to optimize outcomes and minimize costs, as outlined in the document. These cost-saving strategies included securing sponsorship from the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, resulting in a $7,500 reduction in costs, opting for a reception instead of a formal meal at a venue with lower rental and catering expenses, maintaining minimal staffing levels, and booking hotel accommodations at government rates.
During his visit to Houston, Dallas, and Austin, Ford engaged primarily with business leaders and corporations. Notably, a planned meeting with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a longstanding ally of former President Trump, did not materialize.
The premier’s office defended Ford’s trip, emphasizing the longstanding trade relationship between Texas and Ontario that benefits families, workers, and businesses on both sides of the border. The statement highlighted that Ford’s meetings in Texas with over 10 major employers laid the groundwork for substantial new investments, job creation, and closer economic ties between Ontario and the United States.
According to the premier’s office, Ontario’s trade with Texas represents nearly half of Canada’s total trade with the state, with Texas ranking second in exports to Ontario and fourth in imports from the province. Opposition leaders criticized the trip, labeling it a wasteful expenditure. NDP Leader Marit Stiles questioned the trip’s effectiveness in attracting investments, while Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser described it as a futile endeavor, expressing the need for diversification in international partnerships.
Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner emphasized the importance of transparent and cost-effective government travel, urging accountability in spending taxpayer funds. Despite requests for a detailed breakdown of expenses, the premier’s office did not provide one.
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