Vancouver MLA who lives in Greater Victoria defends travel expenses

VANCOUVER — Vancouver-West End NDP MLA Spencer ­Chandra Herbert was forced to explain Thursday why taxpayers are footing the bill for thousands of dollars in helicopter rides to Vancouver when his permanent residence is now in Colwood, 14 kilometres from the B.C. Legislature.

BC United MLA Trevor Halford raised the issue during question period, saying B.C. taxpayers deserve accountability.

Halford said since Chandra Herbert moved his primary residence to Greater Victoria in 2019, he’s billed for $70,000 in travel expenses.

MLAs are not required to live in their ridings, but the question in the House Thursday revolved around how much they should spend to travel to them.

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon in a news conference afterward suggested Chandra Herbert’s constituents should have been made aware of his residence change in the 2020 provincial election.