Minister billed taxpayers for trip taken 'on his own time'

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Cabinet minister Glen Savoie took a pre-Christmas drive to Halifax in December 2023 to get his government-owned Tesla repaired, and was allowed to bill taxpayers $54.33 for food despite the trip being “on his own time.”  

The expense claim is contained in the province’s senior executive expense reports.

Brunswick News asked the government a series of questions about the visit, and twice requested to speak to Savoie about his expenses. 

Both interview requests were ignored. 

Savoie is the minister of local government, minister responsible for the Francophonie, and acting environment and climate change minister – a position he only began a few weeks ago, after Gary Crossman abruptly retired.

“The vehicle has regular repair and maintenance work performed in government-owned facilities. However, recalls, warranty matters and items requiring recalibration of the vehicle must be performed by Tesla mobile or Tesla repair centres,” spokesperson Clarissa Andersen said in an email.

“In this case, the vehicle needed a windshield replacement, and there were no authorized dealers for that replacement and recalibration process in New Brunswick. The closest authorized vendor was either the Tesla Repair or Speedy Auto Glass (the only non-Tesla authorized dealer) in Halifax, Nova Scotia.”

Brunswick News has confirmed with Speedy Auto Glass that its closest authorized Tesla vendor is in Halifax.  

Andersen said that “at the request of the Government of New Brunswick (GNB), the minister travelled to Halifax … to have the vehicle serviced on his own time.”

“Because the vehicle belongs to the GNB fleet, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s vehicle management agency repair facilities arrange or perform all required repairs and maintenance, including services provided by outside vendors.”

Brunswick News then asked Andersen why, if Savoie was travelling on his own time, he was allowed to claim meal expenses.

“As for the meals claimed … it should be noted the minister was asked by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure if he would mind bringing it himself to get these last-minute repairs done. He agreed,” she said in another email. 

“Since the purpose of the trip was to repair the GNB fleet vehicle assigned to him for business purposes, any associated expenses (such as meals) would also be considered business-related.”

The Liberals declined to comment, and the Greens didn’t provide anyone to comment by deadline.

EV wall connector also billed to taxpayers

In November 2023, Savoie also billed taxpayers $747.50 for a Tesla wall connector at his home for his electric vehicle.

But Andersen said the province will take it back when Savoie leaves politics, or if his position changes. 

Crossman is the only other MLA who had a wall connector at his house, according to the province. That equipment will be returned to the government soon, Andersen said.

“The vehicle being driven by … Savoie is a GNB fleet vehicle that’s been assigned to the Department of Environment and Local Government,” she said. 

“If the minister’s role changed, or if he were to leave government, the Tesla would be reassigned within the GNB fleet for use by another driver.

“The wall connector installed at the minister’s home is to allow him to have a fully charged vehicle for business use. Since it’s the property of GNB, the wall connector will be removed and returned to the government for future use elsewhere when it’s no longer required by the minister.

“The Government of New Brunswick’s Climate Change Action Plan calls for a more ecologically friendly fleet of vehicles for government employees. This involved expanding the selection of vehicles to include Teslas, among other electric vehicle options.”