Motion Proposed to Limit Municipal Travel Costs for Council Members

Councillor Mattes proposed a motion on October 30, 2026, instructing staff to review travel costs for Council and staff attending events such as the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Convention or Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The motion noted that these expenses are currently expensed to the Town’s budget but are not covered by the official Travel Expense Policy. It suggested placing limits on these costs and restricting family attendance to address public perception.

The motion addresses the lack of limits on travel expenses, which could potentially amount to upwards of $80,000 if Council members attend all three mentioned gatherings. It also questioned the financial benefit of covering costs for outgoing Councillors or meetings with departing provincial Ministers during election years.