Parliament Expended Almost $600,000 on Lavish Hotel Accommodations Left Vacant

Parliament allocated nearly $600,000 towards luxury hotel accommodations that remained unused during a conference hosting European parliamentarians. This occurred despite nearly half of the expected delegates either opting for more economical lodging or failing to attend altogether.

The event, the annual meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, was anticipated to draw 700 delegates to Vancouver from June 30 to July 4. Typically held in Europe, where the majority of its members reside, the conference saw only 365 attendees. Furthermore, not all participants utilized the designated hotels, resulting in taxpayers footing the bill for 1,400 unused overnight stays valued at $596,000, averaging $425 per night.

Additionally, the conference incurred higher-than-anticipated audio-visual expenses, contributing to an overall budget overrun of $649,000 beyond the original $1.8 million budget.

Senator Elizabeth Marshall, former auditor general for Newfoundland and Labrador, raised concerns regarding the exorbitant costs associated with the conference.

“It is very concerning, especially in the current economic times, when people are lined up at food banks while we’re looking at a $1.8 million event that went 35 per cent over budget,” Marshall mentioned this during the appearance of parliamentary officials before the Senate’s internal economy, budgets, and administration committee.

Members of Parliament were also surprised by the significant expenditure on unused rooms.

“I think this is a disastrous waste of money, quite frankly,” Conservative whip Kerry-Lynne Findlay told members of the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy.

 

Organizers arranged accommodations in five upscale hotels near the Vancouver Convention Centre, where the conference convened: the Hyatt Regency, the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, the Fairmont Pacific Rim, the Fairmont Waterfront, and the Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Downtown. Contracts with each hotel guaranteed a minimum revenue threshold.

Although the specific government-paid rates for rooms are undisclosed, the room rates during that period ranged from approximately $426 to $1,024 per night across these four- and five-star establishments.

However, such rates proved too steep for many delegates. While some delegates opted not to attend the Vancouver conference, others chose more affordable accommodations farther from the venue.

During his presentation to the Senate and House of Commons internal economy boards, Jeremy LeBlanc, Parliament’s director general of international and interparliamentary affairs, noted that one-third of attending delegates selected hotels located farther away.

In May, organizers endeavored to release as many reserved rooms as possible back to the hotels. Nevertheless, due to contractual obligations, they remained liable for a significant portion of the unused rooms booked for conference delegates.

Parliament were subsequently resold to other guests, but they have not yet responded.

Senator Peter Boehm, a former Canadian diplomat experienced in organizing conferences like the G7, emphasized that European nations view the OSCE PA as a prestigious event to host. Initially, organizers anticipated the attendance of the Russian delegation. However, given Canada’s sanctions against Russia and the potential embarrassment surrounding discussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during the conference, their participation became uncertain.