9 CBRM councillors claiming controversial travel allowance

A year after the mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality recommended scrapping a controversial travel allowance, CBC News has confirmed nine out of twelvecouncillorsare still claiming it.

The allowance payscouncillors$140 a weekor $7,280 ayearfortravel withinthe municipality,with no requirement to provide receipts.

According to documents obtained by CBC News under the Freedom of Information Act, the travel allowance for2013-2014cost the municipality close to $80,000.In 2014-2015, it amounted to $65,000.That's about half of the total expenses claimed bycouncillorsin each year.

LowellCormier, who represents NewWaterfordand the surrounding area, is one of threecouncillorsnot claiming the travel allowance.

"I claim my travel on mileage," he said.

"It seemed like a natural thing for me to do because I worked for the school board and anything I had to do expense-wise was in a claim sheet."

Cormiersaid it makes sense for him because he lives in a compact riding. In 2013-2014 his travel expenses were $655. The next year, theytotalled$611.

According to theCape Breton Regional Municipality,Cormier, KevinSaccary, andDarrellFlynn are the onlycouncillorswho claim mileage rather than taking the allowance.

Mayor Cecil Clarke also claims mileage rather than a travel allowance. In2013-2014, his total claim for local travel was about $5,000.

Last year, Clarke suggested the allowance should be eliminated. The allowance is on the agenda for upcoming budget talks.However,the municipality'sdirector of finance, Marie Walsh, said council may decide to leave the entire matter until after the fall election so thecouncillorsbeing affected by the decision are the ones making it.

Councillorsreached by CBC News would not say whether they feel the travel allowance should be eliminated. Many told CBC they would be willing to go along with whatever the majority decides.

However, IvanDoncaster, who represents a rural riding, told CBC News he doesn't like the travel allowance because it allocates the same amount to everycouncillorregardless of whether they represent a large rural riding or live in Sydney.

When the allowance was first proposed,Coun.RayParuchvoted against it but has claimed it since then. In fact, it is theonly expenseParuchwhorepresents a district in Sydneydoes claim.

"I think it was about three or four months that I went without collecting the $140," he said.

"Then, when I had a chance to examine my conscience and examine that I was the lowest paidcouncillorof any, not taking the $140 and paying out of pocket gas expenses, I made the decision to take the $140. Mainly because it has been a decision of council and I am a member of council."

Walsh points out the travel allowance is taxable, unlike expenses supported by receipts.

"If you submit expenses of your actual travel then that is considered reimbursement and is not taxable," she said.

Another significant expense charged bycouncillorsrelates to conferences hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

In May2013, the Cape Breton Regional Municipalitysent sevencouncillorsto the federation'sannual meeting in Vancouver at a cost of close to $24,000.Sixcouncillorswent to the federation's annual meeting in Niagara Falls in May2014.That cost the municipality about $16,000.