Next week, municipal politicians from across the province will gather in Vancouver for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities buntoss, er, conference.

But if you think Lower Mainland taxpayers will save a little money by having the conference so close to home, think again: if the experience at the recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference is any indication, many of these local politicians will be staying in fancy downtown hotels – instead of commuting in and out like the many taxpayers who pay their bills.

Coquitlam, for example, spent $8,493.29 to send six councillors to the FCM – including $4,500 on hotel rooms. According to a Freedom of Information request obtained by the CTF, Mayor Richard Stewart (booked in under the Fairmont President’s Club), spent $245 per night, plus $34.63 in parking, plus $49.79 in taxes to stay at the Fairmont Pacific Rim during the FCM. At three nights, the total bill was $988.26.

Google Maps’ drive-time from Coquitlam City Hall to the Vancouver Convention Centre: 39 minutes. One thousand bucks to save politicians four 78 minute, round trip commutes. Good value?

A lot of time will be spent at UBCM whinging about the need for more money for cities. But taxpayers should remain very wary of giving cities any more tax tools until the elected leaders prove they can be trusted with the money we already give them.