Federal minister Harjit Sajjan defends accepting taxpayer-funded Taylor Swift tickets
Sajjan says he accepted the tickets from B.C. Crown corporation to support food banks
Federal Minister Harjit Sajjan has defended his decision to accept Taylor Swift concert tickets for himself and his daughter, provided by a taxpayer-funded Crown corporation.
Sajjan, responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, received the tickets from PavCo, a Crown corporation in British Columbia that owns and operates B.C. Place, the venue for Swift's concerts. PavCo has been donating Swift tickets to charities and food banks to help them raise funds through raffles and auctions, as well as gifting B.C. Place suites for similar purposes.
“This is actually supporting a very good cause, something that Taylor Swift also supports as well,” Sajjan stated during a media interaction on Wednesday.
He explained that his family had initially purchased tickets for Swift's Toronto concert but later sold them at cost to attend the Vancouver show instead. “I’m actually very happy to be able to raise money and create greater awareness for the food bank,” Sajjan added.
Mayor Sim Declines Tickets
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim was also offered tickets by PavCo but opted to decline them.
“Mayor Sim is absolutely thrilled that Vancouver will be the final stop on Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour,” his office said in a statement. However, Sim chose to buy tickets for himself, his family, and friends, stating that it allowed him to celebrate the event alongside locals and international visitors.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which has spanned nearly two years, five continents, and close to 150 performances, will conclude this Sunday in Vancouver, marking the end of a record-breaking journey.
