Canada’s ‘Guest of Honour’ Sponsorship of 2021 German Book Fair Cost Over $18 Million: Audit

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers a keynote address at the Canadian Bar Association’s Aboriginal Law conference in Ottawa on May 11, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby)

The federal government paid over $18 million in 2021 for it’s “guest of honour” sponsorship of that year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, according to a newly disclosed federal audit. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon attended the fair with over 30 guests.

“The Department of Canadian Heritage incurred costs of approximately $17.5 million in connection with its responsibilities,” said the department’s “Audit Of Frankfurt Book Fair Controls,” as first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter.

The audit also said that Canadian Heritage’s costs associated with the four-day event in October 2021 included the purchase of a $3.3 million pavilion.

“Canada assumed significant financial and operational obligations, including presenting content and artists, creating an on-site pavilion, and hosting dignitaries, among others,” said the audit.

The department said Canada acted as the guest of honour for both the 2020 and 2021 book fairs, as the former was held as a virtual event.

“This is the first time any country acted as GoH for back-to-back events,” said the audit, adding that Canada’s contracts with suppliers for the event were extended and the contracts’ values were increased as a result of being guest of honour for two years in a row.

The audit said that the government’s contract with Matane Production Inc. for the construction of the pavilion increased from $1.5 million to $3.3 million “due to increased construction costs, and to incorporate additional mandated COVID-19 health and safety measures.”

Ottawa’s contract with Canada FBM2020, which the audit said was a “consortium of key Canadian publishers created to identify and create content for the event,” also increased by 50 percent, with the cost rising from $1.4 million to $2.15 million.

GG’s Expenses

Ms. Simon also attended the 2021 book fair with an entourage of more than 30 guests and total expenses topping $801,400, according to an Inquiry of Ministry that was tabled in the House of Commons this past March.

Costs incurred by Ms. Simon and her entourage during the trip included overnight stays at the five-star Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton in Berlin, where the 32-person delegation enjoyed a champagne brunch and a six-course meal menu with wine totalling about $200 per person.

Ms. Simon’s delegation also billed over $19,700 for a Frankfurt Book Fair banquet that was attended by 77 diners, which an Inquiry of Ministry tabled in the House of Commons in March said included “prominent Frankfurt Book Fair attendees” but did not provide any names.

The Inquiry said that Ms. Simon’s 2021 trip to Frankfurt amid the pandemic gave Canadian authors a necessary boost.

“Culture and literature have helped to sustain us through these challenging times,” Ms. Simon said during her trip to the book fair. “Many people have discovered and found comfort and connection in a new world of words.”