The federal government and various crown corporations spent a total of $387,810 over a two year period on concert and event tickets.
According to Global News, the spending occurred over two periods from January 2018 to December 2019.
The Trudeau government lavished ambassadors, CEOs and advisors with thousands of dollars worth of tickets.
Between May and December 2019, $118,700 was spent in gifts to events like Cirque du Soleil performances and a Bryan Adams concert for the Serbian minister of labour.
Global Affairs Canada claimed that the gifts were intended to yield concrete results and improve relations between Canada and other nations or businesses.
“These activities strengthen Canada’s network of contacts and helps advance commercial ties between the two countries,” said a Global Affairs spokesperson.
“The government of Canada is committed to deepening bilateral commercial relationships, attracting investment into Canada, and creating export opportunities in new markets. The government of Canada looks forward to future business connections that arise from these engagements.”
Between January 2018 and May 2019, a total of $269,110.47 was spent on tickets to similar outings.
Among the entities which spent the most money on tickets were the crown corporation Farm Credit Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada and Global Affairs Canada.
Global Affairs Canada has lavished businesspeople and “influencers” with event tickets in the past. According to Global News, the department spent up to $10,000 on Toronto Blue Jays tickets in 2017 to “stimulate discussion and interact with stakeholders.”
Other departments like the Privy Council Officer, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada reported no similar spending during this period.
