Canada’s participation in the COP28 summit in Dubai cost almost $3 million, according to newly released government records.
The figures, tabled in the House of Commons in response to an order paper question from a Conservative MP, reveal that of the nearly $3 million spent, $1.3 million was forked over so that the government could host a “Canada Pavilion” while at the summit.
The pavilion featured a rapper who performed a song about “climate disinformation.”
“Climate disinformation, get that immunization, the vaccine for bad meme infiltration,” said Canadian rapper Baba Brinkman in his opening verse. “Climate misinformation, it leads to polarization, which leads to radical conspiracy ideation,” he continued before giving Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault a shoutout.
Brinkman is the son of Liberal MP Joyce Murray.
The Trudeau government sent at least 193 people to the COP28 summit to stay in lavish hotels from Nov. 20 to Dec. 12 last year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The majority of hotel expenses came from the Dubai Marriott and the Premier Inn at the Dubai Investment Park, where a room costs anywhere from $150 to $400 per night.
However, some attendees booked suites at the Pullman Dubai Jumeriah Lakes Towers, a “five-star hotel offering upscale accommodations” with rooms at $816 per night.
Additionally, the delegation handed out $650 worth of gifts during the trip.
While initial reports estimated that the total cost for Canada’s delegation cost at $1.4 million, the latest records show the bill is $2,954,188, at least for now.
According to the records, the trip cost $825,466 for transportation, $472,570 for accommodations and $295,455 for meals and incidentals.
However, the records leave room for added expenses which are still to come as some invoices and travel claims “have yet to be processed.”
“Nothing screams fighting climate change like flying around the world burning through jet fuel and millions of tax dollars,” said Franco Terrazzano, the taxpayer group’s federal director.
“Here’s a crazy idea: maybe the feds don’t need to spend $3 million flying 182 politicians and bureaucrats to Dubai.”
The $1.3 million Canada Pavillion intended to “showcase the breadth of Canadian climate leadership.”
“Really? Hosting a rapper half-way around the world to drop rhymes at a government podium will help the environment?” questioned Terrazzano.
In the words of Brinkman, “Let the message get exposed, let the human mind follow the evidence wherever it goes.”
