Federal Minister Harjit Sajjan has defended his decision to accept Taylor Swift’s taxpayer-funded ticket for himself and his daughter.
Sajjan, the Canadian Pacific Economic Development Agency minister, was invited by BC Crown’s PavCo, which owns and operates BC Place, where the concert will be held.
PavCo donates Swift tickets to food banks and other charities so they can raffle them off to raise money. PavCo also presented a suite at BC Place for auction.
“This actually supports a very good cause, and one that Taylor Swift supports as well,” Sajjan told reporters on Wednesday.
He said his family had previously bought four tickets to Swift’s concert in Toronto, but ended up selling them at cost price and decided to go to the Vancouver concert instead.
“I’m actually very happy to be able to raise money and awareness for the food bank,” he said.
Mayor refuses ticket
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim was also invited by PavCo, but declined.
“Mayor Sim is thrilled that Vancouver will be the final stop on Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Elas Tour,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.
“In his capacity as Mayor of Vancouver, he was offered tickets, but he declined and personally purchased tickets for himself, his family and friends. He joins other Vancouverites and visitors from all over the world in attending this event. It’s a chance to celebrate an unforgettable event in our city. ”
After nearly two years and nearly 150 performances on five continents, Swift concludes her record-breaking Elas Tour this Sunday in Vancouver.
