Premier Gordon Campbell's airfare to a secret June convention in Spain cost $ 6,430.96, according to documents obtained via Freedom of Information.
Campbell rubbed shoulders with Bill Gates, Henry Kissinger and the Queen of Spain in Sitges, Spain at the Bilderberg Conference, a "small, flexible, informal and off-the-record international forum" according to the official website.
Campbell flew Executive First class June 3 from Vancouver to Barcelona via Frankfurt on Lufthansa and returned June 6. The airfare was charged to a government BMO MasterCard. His agenda shows a conference dinner on June 4, daytime sessions on June 5 and closing sessions on June 6. No accommodation or meal receipts were provided to 24 hours.
A Jan. 11 invitation letter marked "personal and confidential" to "Prime Minister Gordon Campbell" was signed by Bilderberg honorary chairman Etienne Davignon, but the return address was censored by government staff. The letter said a maximum 130 guests from 28 countries would attend.
"As you already know this invitation is strictly personal and cannot be transferred; Bilderberg's rules do not allow for spouses and/ or personal staff", wrote Davignon, a former European Union commissioner from Belgium.
The official website said the agenda included discussions on "financial reform, security, cyber technology, energy, Pakistan, Afghanistan, world food problem, global cooling, social networking, medical science and European Union/ United States relations."
Bob Mackin reports for 24 Hours Vancouver.


14
Login or register to post comments
DPL
1 year ago
Gordo loves to think he is a
Gordo loves to think he is a world class expert, when all he is is a vain small man spending our money.
freebear
1 year ago
'Dead peasants' on the Agenda?
It was a snake oil and carpet bagger convention on how elites will maintain their 'eliteness' and continue to fleece taxpayers and consumers!
While the gap between rich and poor grows!
offended
1 year ago
This wasn't government business
The taxpayer shouldn't be paying for Gordo's follies.
GuyinVic
1 year ago
The Untouchable Gordon
I truly believe that if Gordon Campbell wanted to take a trip to DisneyWorld, he could and have us pay for it. The man has no morals and accountability is something he believes was invented for everyone but the Premier. How can he justify this expenditure when clearly there is no benefit to the taxpayers, especially at a time when he preaches fiscal restraint for all ministries. This is simply about ego and the worst part is we allow it. How much longer will this man continue to ruin our province. Enough is enough Mr. Premier.
the real ODB
1 year ago
detached from reality
"Prime Minister" gordon campbell?
"Global Cooling"?
Yes, these are the "elites". In all their infinite wisdom.
A true "confederacy of dunces"!
mariner
1 year ago
Campbell Hypocracy
Since it is well known that Campbell is dishonest, a liar and therefore cannot be trusted or believed, it should be no surprise that Campbell is trying to pass off personal trips to the public to pay. That IS CORRUPTION WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT BY THE PREMIER HIMSELF.
The "Recall in the Fall" cannot come soon enough for British Columbia - to rid itself of this destructive cancerous blight called the BC Liberal Party government.
Thank you
Gary
1 year ago
No accommodation or meal receipts were provided to 24 hours
Does this mean they were asked for and not provided? Were they listed on the government BMO Mastercard?
And as others have said, where does he get off going to a secret meeting at our expense and not giving us the details that we paid for.
I sue hope he has paid back the money he bilked.
dorothy
1 year ago
Taxpayers should not be on the hook
For Gordo's personal edification.
If he has problems managing his cognitive faculties, i.e. where he belongs in the grander scheme of things, there are programs and services for all British Columbians to access for help.
Oh, there aren't? Who took them away??
CanadianLatitude
1 year ago
The Bilderberg's want
The Bilderberg's want Campbell to be a future PM, mark my words what the Bilderberg's want, they get.
I say PM Campbell within 3 years. Still not sure if it will be for the libs or Cons though...
ifsandsnbutts
1 year ago
Until he provides details
in writing as to how this "meeting" was of benefit to all British Columbians - I fully expect him to pay his own way to Spain...and back.
Oh yes, Mr. Premier...discussing the favor you accorded Mr. Gates when you gave BC Rail to CN will not be considered a benefit. Come to think of it...with the HUGE profits Mr. Gates made on your "shrewd business deal"...perhaps he should be the one paying your way there.
Such a disgusting human being...
.
Skywalker
1 year ago
He's going to be thrown out soon.
Why would he care if he applies a scorched earth policy for B.C. as he exits. He couldn't be more despised. Imagine that, he's become BC's most hated Premier. It's karma and well deserved.
max von smartt
1 year ago
the chosen few
to be invited to a bilderberg convention is a sign that the global elite have approved campbell for a promotion, like PM. at least he is not a fundamentalist and is pals with the governator.
Grania
1 year ago
Bilderberg
Gordon Campbell needs to pay for this himself as he has not reported to the legislature and his attendence was not approved by government. I suspect, given the allowances this government has extended to BP Petroleum in Fernie, that BP and their cohorts from AMEC (AMEC being involved with Raven Coal) were also guests. This fraudulent criminal knows he is on his way out. He is being courted by multinational corporations to sell our provincial resources before he goes and , in return; I suspect these CEOs will take care of this jerk in some clandestine manner. That is my nightmare anyway....I will let you be in my nightmare if I can be in yours....
freebear
1 year ago
Headline shoul read : 'detail'
Singular, not plural as we only know the cost of the flight!