Government documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation show B.C. politicians and bureaucrats spent $104,260 at Fairmont hotels, according to purchase-card disclosures. Nearly half of that spending occurred at luxury hotels not included on the government’s own approved accommodation list. The Business Travel Accommodation Listing includes 366 hotels in B.C. that bid for government rates. “From where I am standing, there is no reason why a politician should be staying at a hotel like the Chateau Whistler, let alone the Vancouver airport Fairmont, when there are other government-approved options,” said Carson Binda, B.C.’s director for the federation. Provincial government ministries charged $104,260 to government purchase cards at six Fairmont properties between April 2024 and March 2026. $36,382 was spent at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport and $30,577 at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver. “It shows the quarter, the vendor, and the amount. That’s not enough,” Binda said. “We need line by line to see exactly how bureaucrats and politicians spent our money at these luxury hotels.” B.C.’s Attorney General Niki Sharma racked up the largest bill at $45,908, with $31,615 at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport in Richmond. In a statement to CTV News, Sharma’s office says the Ministry of Attorney General travel “follows government-established approval, expense and accountability requirements.” “B.C. Public Service travel policy requires employees to select the most cost-effective option that meets business needs. Where accommodation costs exceed established limits, pre-authorization from the appropriate expense authority is required and considered case-by-case, including factors such as availability, urgency, and peak travel periods,” the statement reads. As Sharma’s office explained, sequestered criminal trial juries could account for some of these raised hotel expenses. “Jury sequestration is directed by the court and accommodation requirements can sometimes not be reserved well in advance because the timing and duration of trials are often uncertain,” the statement reads. Binda, however, stressed the importance of accountability and clear information that shows taxpayers where their money is going. “She needs to explain why she is putting up politicians at the airport Fairmont instead of cheaper pre-approved options,” he said.
