Nova Scotia premier’s five-star hotel stays, $20,000 in total travel raises questions about spending practices

Premier Houtson racked up over $9,000 in total hotel costs over three international trips in 2025. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentExpense records from three international tripsPremier Tim Houstontooklastyearare raising questionsregardinghis spending choices abroad,including over $5,000 for five nights’ accommodations in one trip.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe three trips happened throughout 2025: Paris in May, Boston in June, and London and Milan in October. With all travel costs combined, they cost taxpayers around $20,000.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe information was gathered through a freedom of information request from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), who say that while, yes, government officials need to travel, they should be expected to choose reasonably priced accommodations, especially given recent provincial budget cuts. Article content“The premier should lead byexample,” saidAtlantic Director and General Counsel for the CTF, Devin Drover.Article contentFive-star Milan and London staysArticle contentThe federation emphasized Houston’s stays in London and Milan in October 2025 to attend the World Energy Summit in London and to attract investors to Nova Scotia; it was there he billed more than $5,000 for five nights at two hotels.Article contentIn London, he stayed three nights at the W London hotel in Leicester Square. The stay cost around $3,216, according to both the release and documents, the final night alone accounting for $1,270.Article contentThen in Milan, he stayed at another five-star hotel, Hotel VIU Milan, for the price of $1,828 for two nights. The hotel features a Michelin-starred chef and a rooftop pool.Article contentArticle contentDrover said that while he can understand why the premier may need to consider accommodations near meetings or other events while travelling in a large city, he questioned why the premier chose a five-star hotel when cheaper accommodations were available in the area.Article content“When you’re seeing the choice being made between, you know, a five-star hotel or a three-star hotel in the same block, you know, I think that speaks volumes here,” he said.Article contentCombined, accommodations in Milan and Londoncosttaxpayers$5,044over five nights.Article contentDrover added that the federation isn’t against the government travelling when it serves a legitimate purpose, including strengthening trade relationships or attracting investment. The concern comes, however, when looking at how public money is spent once politicians reach their destination.Article content“Government may have legitimate reason to do travel,” he said. “It’s really just that when this travel does occur, government should be doing it in a way that’s, you know, fiscally responsible.”