Federal Housing Advocate's $14,000 Cairo Trip Expenses Under Scrutiny
Newly released Access to Information records have revealed that Canada's federal housing advocate, Marie-Josee Houle, billed taxpayers $13,864 for a business-class flight and extended hotel stay in Cairo, Egypt. The expenses have raised questions among government employees about fiscal responsibility and transparency in government spending.
Questionable Travel Arrangements
According to documents obtained by Blacklock's Reporter, Houle's executive assistant attempted to justify the business-class flight by claiming that "economy was not available for the dates I requested." The assistant also noted efforts to contain hotel costs by avoiding establishments with opulent names, selecting accommodations at Cairo's Marriott and Triumph hotels instead.
The total cost of the trip amounted to $13,684, with the housing advocate traveling to Egypt from November 1 to 21, 2024, to attend the five-day United Nations World Urban Forum. However, records indicate that Houle's activities between November 8 and 21 remained unexplained following the conclusion of the conference.
Conflicting Purpose Statements
Initial expense reports described the trip's purpose simply as "training," but subsequent travel authority forms provided a more elaborate justification. The documents stated the purpose was "support United Nations habitat objectives to advance the human right to housing" and align with Canada's policy position of examining housing from a human rights perspective.
Additional justification included supporting Canadian values and human rights abroad, with the travel authority noting this represented "an opportunity to advance legislation as well as social, cultural and economic rights more broadly." The documents suggested other countries could learn from Canada's National Housing Strategy Act as a potential model for their own housing policies.
Background and Context
Marie-Josee Houle earns $213,000 annually as Canada's federal housing advocate and was reappointed to a second three-year term by cabinet on February 21 of last year. Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard ordered the release of her travel receipts following requests through Access to Information channels.
The controversy emerges against a backdrop where Canada has recognized housing as a human right, though few provinces have followed suit with similar legislation. Houle has previously advocated against dismantling homeless camps, arguing such actions violate human rights.
Government employees who reviewed the expenses through Access to Information emails expressed concerns about the substantial costs associated with the Cairo trip, particularly given the advocate's mandate to address homelessness and housing affordability issues within Canada.
