30 MPs accepted $230K in free travel last year, mostly for trips to Taiwan
In the latest report from the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner, it has been revealed that Members of Parliament accepted more than $230,000 in flights, hotels, and gifts from various sources in the year 2024. The report, compiled by Konrad von Finckenstein, sheds light on the sponsored travel accepted by MPs, including trips to destinations such as Colombia, the Ivory Coast, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan.
Taiwan emerged as the top sponsor for MPs, spending over $126,000 to bring federal legislators to their country. Additionally, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) funded trips for Bloc Québécois MP Yves Perron and former independent MP Kevin Vuong to Taiwan, with donations from private foundations and organizations supporting IPAC’s mission to counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party.
While the standing orders of the House of Commons prohibit MPs from accepting gifts that could influence their duties, an exception is made for sponsored travel related to their work. MPs are required to disclose the value of sponsored trips within 60 days of their return. The total cost of sponsored travel in 2024 saw a significant decrease from the previous year, with MPs accepting $1,796 in gifts, $10,417 in other travel benefits, $41,144 in accommodations, and $177,369 in travel costs.
One of the most expensive journeys documented in the report was a six-day trip to Taiwan taken by Liberal MP Judy Sgro, costing $17,172. Sgro accepted the highest amount of sponsored travel in 2024, with trips to Taiwan and Paris totaling over $24,000. The high cost of airfares to Taiwan contributed to the disproportionate share of expenses for the 15 trips taken to the country.
Other noteworthy trips included former Liberal MP Omar Alghabra’s visit to Dubai for a clean energy conference, sponsored by Ontario Tech University, and Liberal MP James Maloney’s trip to Ukraine for the Yalta European Strategy conference. Former Liberal MP Chandra Arya also accepted government-sponsored trips to Bangladesh and Côte d’Ivoire, highlighting the diverse range of destinations covered in the sponsored travel.
Overall, the sponsored travel accepted by MPs in 2024 showcases the various connections and engagements that federal legislators have with foreign governments, advocacy groups, and private companies. The transparency and disclosure requirements set forth in the standing orders of the House of Commons ensure accountability and oversight in the acceptance of sponsored travel by Members of Parliament.
