A recent federal government audit showed Canada spent over $18 million to sponsor a German book fair where Governor General Mary Simon was the special guest. .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the book fair took place over four days in 2021..“The department of Canadian Heritage incurred costs of approximately $17.5 million in connection with its responsibilities,” said an Audit of Frankfurt Book Fair Controls. Expenses included the cost of a $3.3 million pavilion. Governor General Simon’s personal appearance cost an additional $801,418..“As guest of honour, Canada assumed significant financial and operational obligations, including presenting content and artists, creating an onsite pavilion and hosting dignitaries, among others,” wrote auditors. The costs did not include additional expenses incurred by other federal agencies..READ MORE Governor General spends $71,000 for ‘Icelimo’ during Iceland trip.No figures were detailed for related “guest of honour” billing by the Canada Council for the Arts, the CBC, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Canadian Museum of History, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canadian Museum of Science and Technology, department of Foreign Affairs, Library and Archives Canada, National Film Board, National Gallery and Telefilm Canada..Every year, the organizers of the Frankfurt Book Fair choose a different country as the “guest of honour.” Slovenia was selected as this year's guest. .Auditors revealed that Canada had to award contracts to Frankfurt vendors without any competition or bidding process as a requirement for being the guest of honour..“In some instances, the Frankfurt team was required to sole source with the Frankfurt Book Fair’s ‘preferred suppliers’ as a condition of Canada’s guest of honour agreement,” wrote auditors. .“These were local vendors providing onsite services such as catering.”.READ MORE Governor General burns through 25,000 litres of jet fuel for 'climate talk'.During her trip to the Frankfurt Book Fair, Governor General Simon delivered three short speeches..“Our story is not just about ‘him’ or ‘her,’” Simon told delegates. .“It’s also about ‘they’ and ‘them.’ It is open to all ways of seeing, to every means of expression.”.“Culture and literature have helped to sustain us through these challenging times,” said Simon. .“Many people have discovered and found comfort and connection in a new world of words.”.Simon travelled with a group of 32 people, which included her husband, the Parliamentary Poet Laureate, three press aides, two official photographers, and two medical staff from the department of National Defence. .The expenses incurred during the trip included accommodations at the luxurious five-star Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Hotel and a banquet at the Frankfurt Book Fair that cost $19,794 and had 77 guests..In an Inquiry of Ministry tabled in the House of Commons on March 22, the Cabinet provided justification and defended its decision to sponsor the German event..“Canada was able to promote the sale of Canadian titles at a time when the arts and literature sector was particularly hard hit during the pandemic,” said the Inquiry..Bloc MP Julie Vignola (Beauport-Limoilou, QC) asked for the Governor General's travel expenses to be made public. This request was made during a meeting of the Commons Government Operations committee..Vignola earlier told MPs that costs were unconscionable when Canadians were forced to “spend $150 or $200 for two small bags of groceries that are barely enough to feed a family.”
A recent federal government audit showed Canada spent over $18 million to sponsor a German book fair where Governor General Mary Simon was the special guest. .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the book fair took place over four days in 2021..“The department of Canadian Heritage incurred costs of approximately $17.5 million in connection with its responsibilities,” said an Audit of Frankfurt Book Fair Controls. Expenses included the cost of a $3.3 million pavilion. Governor General Simon’s personal appearance cost an additional $801,418..“As guest of honour, Canada assumed significant financial and operational obligations, including presenting content and artists, creating an onsite pavilion and hosting dignitaries, among others,” wrote auditors. The costs did not include additional expenses incurred by other federal agencies..READ MORE Governor General spends $71,000 for ‘Icelimo’ during Iceland trip.No figures were detailed for related “guest of honour” billing by the Canada Council for the Arts, the CBC, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Canadian Museum of History, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canadian Museum of Science and Technology, department of Foreign Affairs, Library and Archives Canada, National Film Board, National Gallery and Telefilm Canada..Every year, the organizers of the Frankfurt Book Fair choose a different country as the “guest of honour.” Slovenia was selected as this year's guest. .Auditors revealed that Canada had to award contracts to Frankfurt vendors without any competition or bidding process as a requirement for being the guest of honour..“In some instances, the Frankfurt team was required to sole source with the Frankfurt Book Fair’s ‘preferred suppliers’ as a condition of Canada’s guest of honour agreement,” wrote auditors. .“These were local vendors providing onsite services such as catering.”.READ MORE Governor General burns through 25,000 litres of jet fuel for 'climate talk'.During her trip to the Frankfurt Book Fair, Governor General Simon delivered three short speeches..“Our story is not just about ‘him’ or ‘her,’” Simon told delegates. .“It’s also about ‘they’ and ‘them.’ It is open to all ways of seeing, to every means of expression.”.“Culture and literature have helped to sustain us through these challenging times,” said Simon. .“Many people have discovered and found comfort and connection in a new world of words.”.Simon travelled with a group of 32 people, which included her husband, the Parliamentary Poet Laureate, three press aides, two official photographers, and two medical staff from the department of National Defence. .The expenses incurred during the trip included accommodations at the luxurious five-star Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Hotel and a banquet at the Frankfurt Book Fair that cost $19,794 and had 77 guests..In an Inquiry of Ministry tabled in the House of Commons on March 22, the Cabinet provided justification and defended its decision to sponsor the German event..“Canada was able to promote the sale of Canadian titles at a time when the arts and literature sector was particularly hard hit during the pandemic,” said the Inquiry..Bloc MP Julie Vignola (Beauport-Limoilou, QC) asked for the Governor General's travel expenses to be made public. This request was made during a meeting of the Commons Government Operations committee..Vignola earlier told MPs that costs were unconscionable when Canadians were forced to “spend $150 or $200 for two small bags of groceries that are barely enough to feed a family.”
