Canadian MP bills taxpayers on trip to NYC where he ran marathon

Conservative backbencher and MP for the riding of Barrie in Ontario, Patrick Brown, billed taxpayers $1416.06 for a trip to New York City when he visited the United Nations and ran the New York City Marathon over the weekend of Nov. 2-4.

Brown posts expense claims on his website and the weekend’s claim states he was there to meet with the United Nations. He did go to the United Nations as an observer to some meetings but it is unclear who he met with. He attended the meetings on the morning of the fourth, the same day he returned to Ottawa, two days after arriving and one day after racing in the marathon.

Canadian Running called both of Brown’s offices in Barrie and Ottawa with no answer.

A staffer of Brown’s told Postmedia News that the $392.98 for accommodation on the expense claim was only for the Sunday night.

The expenses also claim $794.99 in airfare, $228.09 for other transportation.

Brown was running the marathon to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He raised $8520 for the foundation.

The MP is a regular runner and has competed in many marathons and half-marathons.