Smaller delegation should attend conference: mayor
Posted May 13, 2010 06:52:15 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The city is under fire for taking a rather large delegation to the annual meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Twelve councillors, the mayor and four staff members will attend the conference from May 28-31 in Toronto – a number some say is too large and costly.
Halifax is sending a large delegation because this city will be hosting the conference next year.
That argument doesn’t wash well with Dartmouth councillor Gloria McCluskey.
She says 17 is way too large a group.
“There are far too many people going,” she said. “In these tough budget times I don’t know why we have to send that many people.”
Mayor Peter Kelly is among those going to Toronto, but he agrees with McCluskey.
“Far too many in terms of the overall numbers to me,” he said. “For a long-term strategy it should be no more than one third or one quarter of the amount of council. To have this number, even though we do have the convention next year, I believe is not called for.”
This trip will cost about $25,000. Hosting the meeting next year will see the city spend up to $450,000.
