Mimosas, cigars and ribs: Politicians deny dining with former Calgary councillor at expense claim trial
CBC
The mayor of Halifax and a Quebec cabinet minister were among those who testified Monday at the fraud trial for former Calgary city councillor Joe Magliocca.
Magliocca, 59, is charged with fraud and breach of trust by a public officer stemming from alleged falsified expense claims submitted to the City of Calgary between Oct. 23, 2017 and Dec. 31, 2019.
During that time, Magliocca was a city representative at Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conferences.
Monday marked the beginning of a parade of politicians — current and former — who are listed on expense claims as having been hosted by Magliocca during his travel, a requirement for the former councillor to justify requesting reimbursement from the city.
The Crown witnesses, 27 in total, who either attended FCM conferences or Quebec's Winter Carnival, are expected to testify that they do not know Joe Magliocca and were not hosted by him for meals or drinks.
On Monday, Quebec Minister of Infrastructure Jonatan Julien was the first politician to testify.
A receipt presented by the Crown shows that Magliocca claimed to have hosted Julien at Pub L'Oncle Antoine in Quebec City on Feb. 10, 2019.
Four mimosas and several coffee-based drinks were included on the $60 bill.
But Julien told the court he doesn't know Magliocca and has never met the former councillor.
On the date in question, Julien testified he was in Sept-Îles on ministerial business.
When asked about the first time Julien had learned of Magliocca, the minister explained it was when he was questioned by RCMP in connection with the expense claim investigation.
The 2018 FCM conference was held in Halifax and was "a big event for the city," according to Mayor Mike Savage, who also testified Monday.
The conference ended Sunday June 3, 2018 with a gala dinner.
But a receipt shows Magliocca claimed a $214 chicken-and-rib dinner at Baton Rouge on the Monday, and listed Savage and an Ottawa councillor as his dining companions.
Jenelle Hughes says she worries every time her two older children take their car to get to Fanshawe College in London, Ont., from their home in Dutton.
Oil prices fell Monday morning after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would hold off on striking Iran’s energy infrastructure amid productive talks between the two countries.
While spring technically started late last week, Newfoundland and Labrador isn't free from winter weather just yet.
The Sudbury School Bus Consortium is suspending all school buses in Greater Sudbury as the community continues to clean up following a major storm.
Two large corporate landlords owning a combined 9,008 rental units in Halifax are reporting smaller annual increases in their average rents for 2025 than the previous year.
The Holt government has reached a deal with Ottawa on compensation for tens of millions of dollars in lost sales tax revenue from the Christmas season in 2024.
The government of Saskatchewan has announced plans to reduce the length of non-resident game bird hunting licences to combat illegal guiding.
An 87-year-old Alberta man is fighting extradition to the United Kingdom to stand trial for historical allegations of physical and sexual assault involving minors.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.