Federal minister Harjit Sajjan to attend Taylor Swift concert with taxpayer-funded ticket
Harjit Sajjan, the federal minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will be going to the Eras Tour on taxpayer dollars.
PavCo, the owner and operator of BC Place, told CTV News they offered tickets to the Taylor Swift concert to stakeholders, a procedure it calls "normal course of business."
There are 40 tickets available in the BC Place suite, according to PavCo. That means 120 guests will be attending the Swift concert in total, thanks to B.C. taxpayers.
“PavCo provided tickets for stakeholder outreach purposes by event promoters who hold events at our venues,” it said in a statement to CTV News.
“In turn, we extend invitations to industry and business partners, stakeholders, government and elected officials, First Nations, community groups and charities.”
It says the only politician who accepted the offer was Sajjan.
According to Sajjan’s office, he received clearance from the federal ethics commissioner before accepting the tickets and will be attending with his daughter on Saturday.
PavCo says that giving away tickets to stakeholders and politicians helps promote and amplify events. It says it will continue this type of outreach going forward.
Sajjan was asked to make a donation to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and Food Banks B.C. as part of the offer. He donated $1,500 to the food bank, according to his office.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim was also offered free Swift tickets, but his office says he declined the offer.
“Mayor Sim is absolutely thrilled that Vancouver will be the final stop on Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour,” a spokesperson said in a statement to CTV News.”
"While tickets were offered to him in his capacity as the mayor of Vancouver, he declined and personally purchased tickets for himself, his family and friends.”
PavCo and BC Place have donated more than 100 tickets and four suites for the Taylor Swift shows to registered charities across B.C.
More than $1 million has been raised across the province due to the ticket donations as part of its community benefit program.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberal leadership race narrows with Clark, Champagne out, and Freeland, Gould set to jump in
Christy Clark and François-Philippe Champagne announced Tuesday that they will not run in the race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. These announcements come alongside news that senior Liberals Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould and Mark Carney are expected to announce within the week their plans to run for the leadership.
Trudeau to convene ministers on Trump's inauguration day
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will hold a cabinet retreat on Jan. 20 to 21 focused on defending his country's interests and boosting ties with the U.S., his office said in a statement on Tuesday.
Montreal Canadiens forward Emil Heineman struck and injured by vehicle
Montreal Canadien forward Emil Heineman was struck and hit by a vehicle on Monday and will be out around a month.
Princess of Wales says her cancer is in remission
The Princess of Wales revealed Tuesday that her cancer is in remission after an emotional visit to the hospital where she received treatment last year.
'It's not going to be good': Ford says Trump's tariffs could cost Ontario 500,000 jobs
Premier Doug Ford says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs on Canadian goods could result in the loss of 500,000 jobs in Ontario, creating the need for billions of dollars in stimulus spending.
Crest, Colgate lawsuits target fluoride in kids' toothpaste, mouth rinse
Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive are among the defendants in six new lawsuits targeting the sale of toothpaste and mouth rinse for young children because the products contain fluoride, which can be harmful if swallowed.
Dozens of survivors and dead pulled from illegal South African mine as hundreds remain underground
Rescuers sent a cage-like structure down into one of South Africa's deepest gold mines on Tuesday to bring out survivors among hundreds of illegal miners trapped for months in an abandoned shaft.
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
Michelle Obama will not attend Trump's inauguration
Former first lady Michelle Obama will skip the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump, the second time in two weeks that she is not attending a gathering of former U.S. leaders and their spouses.
Vancouver Island
-
Police watchdog investigating Victoria crash that injured driver, passenger
British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating after two people were injured in a car crash following an attempted police traffic stop in Victoria.
-
Stabbing, shooting under investigation on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast
Mounties on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast say they’re investigating a string of violent crimes that happened late last month and are asking for witnesses to come forward.
-
Ecotour grizzlies less likely to encounter conflict with humans, B.C. study suggests
Grizzly bears that visited ecotourism areas along a river on the province's central coast were less likely than others to encounter conflict with people in communities downstream, a new study by British Columbia-based researchers has found.
Kelowna
-
West Kelowna fire chief says L.A. devastation a haunting reminder of B.C. blaze
The fire chief of a British Columbia community devastated by a fast-moving wildfire in 2023 says it's "haunting" to see similar circumstances playing out in Southern California.
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
Edmonton
-
Water main break near Kingsway causes Tuesday traffic disruptions
Epcor crews were called to a water main break at 109 Street and 111 Avenue in Edmonton on Tuesday morning.
-
Mark Carney appears on 'The Daily Show,' sources say he plans to launch leadership bid in Edmonton
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
Police search for friends or family of pedestrian killed in north Edmonton crash
Police are searching for the next of kin of a man who was killed in a crash last week.
Calgary
-
Public hearing for Grassy Mountain coal mine resumes
A public hearing for the controversial Grassy Mountain coal mining project will resume in Calgary on Tuesday.
-
Mark Carney appears on 'The Daily Show,' sources say he plans to launch leadership bid in Edmonton
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
Calgary councillor won't seek re-election in October
Evan Spencer, councillor for Calgary's Ward 12, will not be running for re-election later this year.
Lethbridge
-
'Cautiously optimistic': Home sales and starts expected to rise in Lethbridge in 2025
Those in Lethbridge's real estate sector are expecting anther busy year, with both home sales and starts expected to rise in 2025.
-
What Alberta is doing to prevent wildfires in Canmore, Bow Valley
As Alberta nears the start of another wildfire season, there are efforts underway to safeguard against wildfires in Canmore and the Bow Valley.
-
'Good neighbours': Montana residents share thoughts on Trump's '51st state' threat
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to annex Canada, some residents in Montana are sharing their thoughts on the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg police arrest man after multiple dead cats found in December
Winnipeg police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection to a number of cats that were found dead.
-
Kinew government unveils homelessness strategy
The Kinew government has released a blueprint aimed at ending chronic homelessness in the province by 2031.
-
Manitoba school evacuated due to bomb threat
A high school in Manitoba has been evacuated due to a bomb threat on Tuesday.
Regina
-
Sask. latest province to announce increased U.S. border security amid tariff threat
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced a new plan to enhance border security which will include redeploying officers to both the province's inter-provincial and international boundaries.
-
Saskatchewan offers to send a crew and equipment to help battle California wildfires
Saskatchewan is joining the effort to contain the out-of-control wildfires in southern California.
-
Two Pats, 66 WHLers named in NHL Central Scouting's mid-term rankings
Two members of the Regina Pats were named Tuesday in the NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings for the 2025 draft.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatchewan offers to send a crew and equipment to help battle California wildfires
Saskatchewan is joining the effort to contain the out-of-control wildfires in southern California.
-
Sask. latest province to announce increased U.S. border security amid tariff threat
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced a new plan to enhance border security which will include redeploying officers to both the province's inter-provincial and international boundaries.
-
'Don't trust it': Saskatoon woman warns of potential scammers on Facebook Marketplace
A Saskatoon woman is warning others to use caution when doing business on buy and sell websites, after she was the target of a scammer.
Toronto
-
'It's not going to be good': Ford says Trump's tariffs could cost Ontario 500,000 jobs
Premier Doug Ford says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs on Canadian goods could result in the loss of 500,000 jobs in Ontario, creating the need for billions of dollars in stimulus spending.
-
2 suspects wanted after Markham business vandalized and tagged with antisemitic graffiti during robbery: police
York Regional Police’s hate crime prevention unit is searching for two suspects who allegedly broke into the office of a kosher restaurant business in Markham last weekend, vandalized the property, and left antisemitic graffiti behind.
-
City councillor Shelley Carroll elected new chair of Toronto Police Service Board
Toronto City Coun. Shelley Carroll is the new chair of the Toronto Police Service Board, unseating the incumbent in a split vote at board meeting on Tuesday.
Montreal
-
Quebec concerned about border movement in the Swanton sector
The Legault government is concerned about the illegal migration taking place in the Swanton sector between Quebec and the United States, calling on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to place the necessary manpower there.
-
Montreal Canadiens forward Emil Heineman struck and injured by vehicle
Montreal Canadien forward Emil Heineman was struck and hit by a vehicle on Monday and will be out around a month.
-
High school in Sorel-Tracy, Que. evacuated due to fire
A Quebec high school was evacuated due to a fire Tuesday morning.
Ottawa
-
Sprung structure in Nepean will cost $15M
The City of Ottawa says it has found a contractor to design and build a tent-like newcomer reception centre to accommodate migrants.
-
2 teens facing charges in connection to Ottawa high school stabbing
Ottawa police say officers responded to reports of an assault with an edged weapon at the high school on Dauphin Road, near the Ottawa Hospital General Campus, at approximately 9:10 a.m. Monday.
-
16 per cent of all photo radar, red light camera tickets in Ottawa issued on a 1 km stretch of road
King Edward Avenue is the hot spot for photo radar and red light camera tickets, with 16 per cent of all camera-related traffic tickets in Ottawa issued to drivers on a one-kilometre stretch of the road in Lowertown.
Atlantic
-
$30,000 worth of Maud Lewis artwork stolen from Halifax home
Police are investigating after someone stole tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of Maud Lewis artwork from a home in Halifax.
-
'I want answers': SPCA removes dead dogs from front porch of New Brunswick home
The New Brunswick SPCA is investigating after the bodies of four dogs were removed from the front porch of a home in Bass River, N.B., Monday morning.
-
Saint John police seek woman in connection with armed robbery at lounge
The Saint John Police Force is asking for the public's help in identifying a woman they say is a person of interest in connection with an armed robbery.
London
-
Snow squall warnings in effect across the region
There's a snow squall warning in effect through Huron, Perth, Grey and Bruce Counties as squalls develop Tuesday evening and continue Tuesday night.
-
Convicted field party killer pleads guilty to weapons charge
The 23-year-old man convicted in the bush party shooting of a teenager was back in court again on Monday, this time pleading guilty to a weapons offence.
-
Grieving mother hopes to implement Life Jacket Loaner program in Elgin County
Ryan Davies and his friends were out for an early morning fishing trip in the man-made lake when the canoe tipped over. Two people were rescued, but Davies, 26, never resurfaced.
Kitchener
-
Former Waterloo, Ont. principal sentenced to 4 years after admitting to explicit online conversations with teenagers
Last year, in a London court, Phillip Sallewsky pleaded guilty to a series of charges which included luring and transmitting sexually explicit material to someone believed to be under the age of 16.
-
'I blacked out. I’m sorry': Police body cam video shown at Guelph, Ont. man’s second-degree murder trial
More body-worn camera footage from first responders was shown Tuesday at the second-degree murder trial of Jaspal Singh Sidhu, who is accused with the 2023 killing of his father.
-
Toronto man wanted in connection to shooting at Waterloo business
Jalen Belle-McCormack, 20, from Toronto, is currently wanted on a warrant in connection to a shooting at a Waterloo business on May 18, 2024.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. suspect didn’t return after taking truck for a test drive
Police in West Nipissing are asking for the public's help to find a man who used stolen identify documents to take a truck for a test drive, then failed to come back.
-
Police still trying to ID one of the victims of Hwy. 63 crash
Police in North Bay are still trying to identify one of the two people killed in a head-on collision with a tanker truck Monday morning.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
N.L.
-
Heavy equipment used to bash into a Newfoundland bank for second time in a month
Police in eastern Newfoundland say that for the second time in less than a month thieves have used heavy equipment to smash into a bank and steal an ATM.
-
Yvonne Jones, longtime Liberal MP for Labrador, retiring from federal politics
Liberal MP Yvonne Jones speaks to reporters before a meeting of the Liberal women's caucus, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Jones announced this morning that she will not be running in the next federal election for her seat in Labrador. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
-
Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote
A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote Thursday night at the legislature in St. John's, N.L.
