Council logs $71,000+ in travel expenses in 2025 so far

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — City council has approved more than $71,000 in expenses for provincial and international travel over the past year. 

During the City of Fort St. John council’s October 14th meeting, councillors approved a report on the council travel expenses for the third quarter of 2025, which also included an overview of the council’s total spending in 2025. 

From July to September, four of the six councillors and Mayor Lilia Hansen reported approximately $28,600 in travel expenses, attending conferences and meetings outside the municipality. 

Councillor Gord Klassen has reported the most expenses to date, spending just over $18,500 between January and September. Councillors Sarah MacDougall and Tony Zabinsky have both spent approximately $16,500, and Councillor Byron Stewart has spent just under $4,000 in 2025. 

Hansen has reported approximately $15,900 in travel expenses as of the October 14th report, having attended five forums and conventions across the province in Prince George, Prince Rupert, Vancouver and Victoria. 

The most expensive trip was to Victoria for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention from September 21st to 27th, where Hansen reported approximately $4,400 in expenses. 

So far in 2025, the council has spent approximately $71,350 on travel. The fund allocated for travel expenses in 2025 provides $82,500, meaning just over $10,000 remains for the fourth quarter of the year. 

Councillors Trevor Bolin and Jim Lequiere were the only councillors who have yet to report any travel expenses in 2025. 

Ryan Harvey, the city’s communications manager, told Energeticcity.ca the travel expenses were “within expectations,” and the budget had been adjusted downwards for 2025 compared to 2024.

“There is a sufficient amount of funds remaining to allow for upcoming conferences such as the 2025 Mental Health and Addictions Symposium, Spark Women’s [Leadership] Conference, FSJ Hospital Foundation’s Be an Angel Gala and various other conferences that arise which may be beneficial to our community,” Harvey said.

To read the complete travel expenses report, see below.