Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart, School District 43 officials and Senator Yonah Martin are in Korea this week for business and to honour Canadian soldiers who died during the Korean War.
And while some of the costs are paid for by their hosts, part of the costs are being footed by taxpayers.
SD43 is paying for the trips of superintendent Patricia Gartland and board chair Judy Shirra with revenue from the international education program, according to district spokesperson Peter Chevrier.
Mayor Stewart's $2,250 airfare is paid for by Coquitlam taxpayers while the rest of the trip is sponsored, a city staff person said.
And a spokesperson for Martin said the senator paid for her airfare and hotel with the exception of two nights of hotel that were sponsored.
The delegates were invited by Canadian veterans and the Korean government to participate in a ceremony on Nov. 11 at the UN Memorial Cemetery of Korea in Busan, Korea, where 400 Canadians are buried. The group will also watch the historic Imjin Classic hockey game, which is played between two Canadian regiments that served in the Korean War. Delegates will also participate in meetings with municipal, business and educational leaders.
SD43 is looking to make connections to further its international education program, under which foreign students pay $14,000 a year to attend school here, while the city of Coquitlam is enhancing its ties with its Korean sister city, Paju.
Shirra said that in addition to honouring local veterans, the group is also working enhance its reputation for educating international students.
"We are making connections with our agents oversees," she told The Tri-City News.
Mayor Stewart wasn't available for comment but in a press release said Coquitlam is home to western Canada's largest Korean community and the trip will help enhance Coquitlam's sister city relationship with Paju and foster business and investment.
