Vaughan’s $1.7K Uber Bill on Italian Trade Trip

Officials from Vaughan, Ont., incurred significant expenses during an investment trip to Italy two years ago, as reported by . The mission involved business meetings, sightseeing, and a winery tour, resulting in over $1,700 spent on Ubers.

New documents acquired after a lengthy freedom of information request with the City of Vaughan provide details about a 10-day European excursion in the summer of 2024.

The records reveal that six participants traveled from the Toronto-area municipality on this international trade mission, racking up thousands of dollars in expenses to attract investment back to Ontario.

Deputy Mayor Linda Jackson and Coun. Mario Ferri were among the elected officials who took part. They were accompanied by Jackson’s executive assistant and three staff members from Vaughan’s economic development department.

According to numerous receipts, calendars, emails, and credit card statements reviewed by , the trade mission departed from Toronto Pearson International Airport on July 3, 2024.

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The group visited a town in Lazio before heading to Milan and concluding their trip in Rome, returning home ten days later.

The expenditures analyzed by provide insight into a journey where the Vaughan delegation took taxis for trips under two kilometers long, spent thousands on a chartered bus, and included time for sightseeing activities.

Officials and councillors also engaged with several local businesses along with Italian elected representatives and organizations like chambers of commerce.

“It just doesn’t seem like a good use of these councillors’ time or taxpayer money,” said Noah Jarvis, Ontario director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“I don’t understand why they couldn’t have just held a Zoom call. Zoom has been quite popular since 2020; I’m not sure why they didn’t utilize it.”

The City of Vaughan defended its trip and the connections established during it.

“The City believes this mission was productive for both economic and cultural growth while meeting intergovernmental goals,” stated a spokesperson when responding to inquiries from .

“The mission led to engagement with various companies and trade organizations while strengthening relationships with national government partners in Sora, Milan, and Verona. It also opened new avenues for supporting trade initiatives.”

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The city reported that the total budget for this trip was $120,000, which included $30,000 sourced from federal funding. Some costs were also covered using councillors’ expense accounts.

Nearly $2K Spent on Ubers

The records show that throughout their ten-day journey, the Vaughan delegation spent nearly $2,000 booking Ubers in Milan and Rome.

Receipts examined by outline various Uber rides associated with this trip totaling over $1,700-some covering distances as short as three kilometers-including one instance where they incurred a $22 cancellation fee for missing a ride.

Diving deeper into their summer visit to Italy in 2024 reveals that staffers and councillors relied heavily on ride-hailing services during their stay.

An example is found on July 10 when they expensed $31.79 for an Uber ride covering just 900 meters near Rome’s main train station; Google Maps indicates it would take around five minutes to walk that distance instead of waiting four minutes for an Uber ride according to their receipt.

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“It was about 32 bucks for a 900-meter Uber ride,” Jarvis commented. “Clearly these councillors weren’t really trying hard when it came to being mindful of taxpayer money.”

A receipt for €21 was submitted for the trip to pay for a 900-metre Uber ride.

A few days later , the group paid $54.84 for an Uber covering 1.8 kilometers within close proximity as well as another expense totaling $77.34 traveling approximately 2.2 kilometers near the Tiber River.

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Other Uber rides taken during this mission came at even higher prices.

On July13 , the Canadian visitors had an expensive yet necessary Uber experience riding backto airport costing over$185for nearly30kilometers traveled , while one19-kilometer Uberin Milan rang upat$139.61.

Additionally , anotherjourney labeled“dinner tohote l” cost112.69.

“Ground transportationwas arrangedto ensuremissiondelegatescould gettoandfromengagementson time,” respondedthe Cityof Vaughanwhenaskedaboutit.

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No policy prohibits this typeofuse.”

The receipts forthe Ubers showtheywereall bookedbymembersofthatrade delegation butit isn’t clearwhoactually participatedin eachride basedonavailable documentation.

Asidefrom Uber rides , thedelegationalso utilizedtrains travel between Romeand Milanwiththousandscoveredin airfare neededforflightsbetween Torontoand Rome.

Staff also paid$4247.46toc harterabusforseveraldays.

Sightseeing tourand aperitifbythe lake

Calendars, schedulesand itinerariesincludedindocumentsprovidedto give insightinto whatthese twocouncillorsandcitystaffhadplannedduringtheirten daytripto Italy.

The first stoponthemissionafter landingin Romewasatourofthehistoric townof Sora, a smallmunicipalitylocatedin Laziowhichhasmaintainedafriendshipagreementwith Vaughansince1992.

Aproposaltakingthem through Sora, thedelegationwas meanttopartakeinaworking dinnerbeforeturninginforthe night. Scheduledactivitiescalledformeetings, a brunch, andrenewingthefriendshipagreementbetweenthe two towns.

Thefollowing morningafterarrival, thegroupintendedto visit localsites including amuseum, a library , achurchanda cathedral followedbya Ciammellaworkshop-a ring-shaped Italian cake-thenlunchwithtraditionalpastatastingsplanned afterwardstoo.
Once lunchwrappedup, theitinerarycontinuedwithmorelocal attractionsincluding churchesandanabbeyalongwithapapermill. Aperitifbylakewas scheduledtowrap upsecondfull dayfollowedbyunstructuredtimeinthe town area too!

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Aspokespersonfor Vaughan notedthatalthough there wasdiscussionaround pasta tastingandcake workshopthoseeventsultimatelydidnottakeplace,
saying,“This proposed agenda itemby Soraofficialsdidnotoccur,”referencingareportaboutthistrip. thelittle detailsofhowdelegates spendtimeinsorewerehardtogain clarityoverthroughpubliclyavailableinformation.
During th e2024missto Sora, the Cityof Vaughandelegationmet Sora’s Mayor, Councilmembersrenewedfriendshipagreementunder-delegated authorityfrom Counciltothe Deputy Mayor,* accordingtoreport*expectedduring Q&A session* *storycontinuesbelow*
The delegationsecuredpartnershipopportunitiesfurthercementingrelationshipsgeneratedinpr evention together.

The Cityadditionally supplied withdaily memoeventsaspartofits response questionscontainingadditionalreference localmeetingsratherthan tours indicatingnohour-by-hourschedule availableforthe events listedthroughfreedominformationmethodsmentionedpreviously.“Anotherkeydaycamearound July7asschedulesindicateddeparturebacktowards Romeafterwhichtrainboundfor Milanwasused* allbusinessengagements takingshape soon after arrival.* *As expected** delegationsettlingmorelocalbusinesses chamberscommerce includingameeting Eataly-a restaurantchainalreadywell-established Toronto.* They alsotoured Corte Fornaledo-a localwinery.* Storycontinuesbelow* On July10, Vaughandelegationprepared return Journey Milanheaded backtowards Romewhereadditionalmeetings scheduledalongside receptionhosted Air Canada *butlastminute cancellation occurred regardingmeetingplannedambassador Vaticanwasn’t ableattendbeing duefi^hat canceled last minute.* Additionallyspokeperson providedexplanation stating:“Meeting Embassy cancelledmorningpriorso queuing materialsimportantrelationships retainingvinitalian communityvaluesassociateddiscussionsinterfaith dialogue.*”

City, councillor defendtripThe Cityof Vaughanstatedthattripprovedbeneficial strengtheningtiepointsconnecting Ontariocommunitygroupsinhabitantcountryacrossborder.*Resultsseen over periodsuggestadditionally spokepersonnotedfruits effortswouldmanifest.* Asstated:**FDI process lengthyrequiringconsistentcommunicationdevelopment** “Citysupportinginvestmentleads generatedinternationalactivities*. Furthermore, missions conductedexploringcollaborative opportunitiesencouragetrade partnerships*. Delegationmet numerouseconomic stakeholders championing economyconnectedtradeinvestmentoptionswithin Italy.” Thecityrecognizedimportancealignments withfederalpolicy diversificationstrategyconsideringlongtermobjectivesstrengthen Canadatrade relationsoutside United Statesbasis important due increases. said:* “We’re ensuringinitiativeshelptarget doublenon-U. S. exportgain additional$300 billionworthtradingpotential economy!* “Deputy Mayor Jackson Coun. Ferriestood answeredconcernsraisedby simply reiteratingresponse Giventhis partnershipdeep roots established1992reflectiveimmigrant legacyendingbondsmade possible todaymoresuccessful future collaborations reinforcedsignificant sharedcultural ties.”…………