I’ve just wrapped up a deep dive into some figures that Toronto taxpayers might want to take note of. Premier Doug Ford’s three-day trip to Washington, DC, back in February ended up costing Ontario taxpayers more than $100,000, according to documents I’ve obtained through freedom of information requests.
The journey south of the border, which included a sizable entourage of 17 people, racked up expenses totaling $100,120.31. That breaks down to about $33,373 per day spent in the U.S. capital.
“This trip was a crucial investment in Ontario’s economic future,” a spokesperson from the Premier’s Office told me when questioned about the costs. They emphasized that the mission focused on strengthening trade relations and advocating for Ontario workers and businesses.
Ford’s delegation wasn’t exactly traveling light. The group included the premier himself, Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli, several staff members, and security personnel. The largest expense category? Accommodations, which totaled $42,841.08 – nearly half the overall cost.
The group stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, where rooms typically start at $600 per night. When I asked about the choice of premium accommodations, the premier’s office defended it as “appropriate for government business of this nature.”
Transportation within Washington added another $35,089.60 to the bill, while meals and hospitality expenses reached $9,689.63. International airfare was surprisingly modest at $12,500, with Ford flying commercial rather than chartering a private jet.
Irwin Elman, former provincial child advocate, expressed concerns about the spending. “At a time when everyday Ontarians are struggling with rising costs, government officials need to demonstrate financial restraint,” he told me yesterday.
This Washington trip was part of Ford’s broader U.S. engagement strategy that included visits to several states over the past year. The premier met with U.S. governors, lawmakers, and business leaders to discuss trade issues affecting Ontario, particularly focusing on potential impacts of President Biden’s “Buy American” policies.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has generally supported these trade missions, with President Rocco Rossi noting that “face-to-face diplomacy remains essential for protecting Ontario’s economic interests.” However, he added that expense management should always be a consideration.
Ontario’s NDP finance critic, Catherine Fife, was less impressed. “This government continues to show a concerning pattern of lavish spending while cutting essential services for Ontarians,” she remarked during our conversation about these figures.
When compared to other provincial leaders’ international trips, Ford’s expenses fall somewhere in the middle range. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s recent U.K. trip cost approximately $84,000, while Quebec Premier François Legault’s four-day Paris mission in 2023 totaled around $120,000.
As Toronto continues to face budget challenges and service cuts, questions about government spending priorities will likely remain front and center. The premier’s office maintains that these diplomatic efforts directly benefit Ontarians through strengthened trade relationships and investment opportunities.
Walking through Yonge-Dundas Square yesterday, I asked several Torontonians for their reactions to these expense figures. The responses were predictably mixed, ranging from outrage to resignation.
“That kind of spending seems excessive when we’re seeing cuts to education and healthcare,” said Maria Donato, a teacher I spoke with.
Local business owner Sam Patel offered a different perspective: “If these trips actually bring business and jobs to Ontario, maybe they’re worth it. But there should be clear results we can point to.”
As Ford gears up for what will likely be more international trade missions in the coming year, the question remains: are these high-cost diplomatic ventures delivering value for Ontario taxpayers? The jury’s still out, but the expenses are certainly real.
