Calgary Alderman Ric McIver paying own way to FCM

Calgary Alderman, Ric McIver (seen to the left) just phoned the CTF Alberta office to inform us that he is paying out of his own pocket for his flight to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Quebec City.

Kudos to him for not burdening Calgary taxpayers for his flight, which is likely the most expensive part of the annual junket.

As reported by the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun (no longer available) 10 of the 14 Alderman are going this year to Quebec City for the FCM conference, as is the Mayor.

The value for taxpayers is fairly dubious.

In fact, one Calgary Alderman, Ray Jones, seems to agree:

"I go every three years," he said. "I don't think everybody has to go every year."
"If you go every two or three years, that's just fine."

And since Alderman McIver is paying his own flight, it would seem that he agrees too.

It's certainly rare for a politician to not accept a "free" junket like this. While Alderman Jones and the other 3 alderman have been identified publicly as refusing to go, Alderman McIver has generally been lumped into the same gang as those who are using taxpayer funds to go to Quebec City.

This is clearly unfair and McIver should be recognized for his respect of taxpayers' money.