Cost Of Nine Trips By Minister Wayne Caines

July 3, 2018

[Updated with video + another listing] The Government’s travel webpage has now been updated with eight trips taken by Minister of National Security Wayne Caines in recent months, with the travel spanning January – May and totalling $32,671.30 for the eight trips.

Minister Caines said, “The delay in updating the website was due to an administrative oversight which has been addressed. Moving forward the site will be updated regularly. I believe in complete in transparency and my travel on government business will at all times be available for the public to view.”

Update 6:14pm: Extract from our interview with Ms Atherden discussing the delays in posting

Update 6.27pm: Another trip has now been listed, the June CogX one directly below, bringing the tally to nine trips and a total of $33,703.34.

Update July 4, 2.00pm: The listings have been updated again, detailing what some of the ‘miscellaneous’ expenses are.

The $999 ‘miscellaneous’ for Consensus 2018 was the Conference Fee, the $2,495 ‘miscellaneous’ at the Montgomery Summit was also the Conference Registration Fee, and the $634.45 ‘miscellaneous’ for the Fintech/Blockchain Conference was also the Conference fee.

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Update: CogX Convention: June 9 – 12

The trip duration was listed as from June 09, 2018 – June 12, 2018, and the web page listing said, “The Minister of National Security travelled to London to attend the CogX Convention in June. The Minister Spoke at a Fintech Round Table Discussion. The Minister attended meetings with industry stakeholders. The Minister met with Fintech Companies who are looking to domicile in Bermuda.”’

“Note: there is no cost/price for an Airline Ticket because the Ministry had an Airline Credit from a Previous Flight. Note 2: The Minister’s Ground Transportation Costs are lower than average because the Minister used the London Underground .”

Expenses

  • Ground Transportation: $36.00
  • Accommodation: $960.00
  • Meals: $36.04
  • Total costs: $1,032.04

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Consensus 2018 Conference: May 13 – 15

The trip duration was listed as from May 13, 2018 – May 15, 2018, and the web page listing said, “The Minister of National Security attended the Consensus 2018 Conference on May 13th to 15th. This is a Blockchain Summit where the Minister met with key stakeholders, law firms and key business partners.”

Expenses

  • Air Travel: $1,076.30
  • Ground Transportation: $120.87
  • Accommodation: $728.01
  • Meals: $94.74
  • Miscellaneous: $999.00
  • Total costs: $3,018.92

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Bermuda Executive Forum and Reception: May 2 – 3

The trip duration was listed as from May 2, 2018 – May 3, 2018, and the web page listing said, “The Minister of National Security attended the Bermuda Executive Forum and Reception in New York May 2nd to 3rd, 2018 where Fintech Roundtable Discussions were held.”

Expenses

  • Air Travel: $496.10
  • Accommodation: $685.12
  • Total costs: $1,181.22

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Fintech Presentations: Apr 15 – 22

The trip duration was listed as from April 15, 2018 – April 22, 2018, and the web page listing said, “The Minister of National Security attended meetings in London April 15th to 22nd, 2018. The purpose of the meetings was to meet with Law Firms and Fintech Companies and industry stakeholders to share the Bermuda Fintech Plan. Media interviews were also conducted to share the Bermuda Fintech Plan.”

Expenses

  • Air Travel: $4,954.70
  • Ground Transportation: $164.50
  • Accommodation: $5,101.16
  • Meals: $74.05
  • Total costs: $10,294.41

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STEM Programme: Mar 28 – 29

The trip duration was listed as from March 28, 2018 – March 29, 2018, and the web page listing said, “The Minister of National Security attended the STEM Programme in New York March 28th to 29th, 2018. He met with leading IT and Fintech Education organizations to discuss and develop strategies to educate the Bermudian workforce and prepare them to take advantage of job opportunities in the Fintech space.”

Expenses

  • Air Travel: $1,164.10
  • Ground Transportation: $20.54
  • Accommodation: $708.65
  • Total costs: $1,893.29

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Montgomery Summit 2018: Mar 6 – 9

The trip duration was listed as from March 6, 2018 – March 9, 2018, and the web page listing said, “The Minister of National Security attended the Montgomery Summit in Santa Monica, California March 6th to 9th, 2018, where he participated in panel discussions, presentations and one-on-one meetings. The Minister also met with Tim Draper, billionaire and major sponsor.”

Expenses

  • Air Travel: $2,941.50
  • Ground Transportation: $50.00
  • Accommodation: $1,085.98
  • Miscellaneous: $2,495.00
  • Total costs: $6,572.48

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Fintech/Blockchain Conference: Feb 7 – 8

The trip duration was listed as from February 7, 2018 – February 8, 2018, and the web page listing said, “The Minister of National Security travelled to New York to attend the Fintech/Blockchain Conference February 7th to 8th, 2018. He also attended workshops and information sessions which covered Bermuda’s legal and regulatory framework.”

Expenses

  • Air Travel: $548.90
  • Ground Transportation: $15.07
  • Accommodation: $164.45
  • Meals: $73.00
  • Miscellaneous: $634.45
  • Total costs: $1,435.87

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World Economic Forum 2018: Jan 21 – 26

The trip duration was listed as from January 21, 2018 – January 26, 2018, and the web page listing said, “The Minister of National Security travelled to Davos, Switzerland with the Premier to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting January 21st to 26th, 2018. The Minister assisted in presenting Bermuda’s Fintech strategy, met with key stakeholders and promoted Bermuda as a place for key stakeholders to conduct business and establish a presence.”

Expenses

  • Air Travel: $3,638.30
  • Meals: $250.54
  • Total costs: $3,888.84

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London Trust: Jan 17 – 18

The trip duration was listed as from January 17, 2018 – January 18, 2018, and the web page listing said, “The Minister of National Security attended the London Trust in Las Vegas January 17th to 18th, 2018 where he met with influenced and key Fintech stakeholders in promoting Bermuda’s Fintech strategy with a view to encouraging businesses and billionaires to set up and conduct business in Bermuda.

Expenses

  • Air Travel: $4,303.50
  • Ground Transportation: $50.00
  • Meals: $32.77
  • Total costs: $4,386.27

click here travel cost listings

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Comments (33)

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  1. watching says:

    clearly this was much ado about nothing with some only trying to score political points.

    • John says:

      Or maybe just holding the Gov’t accountable since that is part of their job.

    • PBanks says:

      In the grand scheme of things it’s not immensely critical, but you can’t fault the media outlets for getting the story out.

      It’s an important issue, yet a simple one to resolve.

  2. Lightbulb!! says:

    What is miscellaneous? It costs me a whole lot!

    • Cow Polly says:

      I agree – there should be a breakdown of ‘miscellaneous’ when its over a certain amount (say $50). When I traveled on business I had to account for every penny and miscellaneous was the category most reviewed by our internal auditors.

  3. sandgrownan says:

    Doing the people’s business…..

  4. Thank you, Minister Caines for your honesty and straighforwardedness. I cannot say the same for Michael Dunkley and Trevor Moniz!!
    I want the P.L.P. to investigate the Moniz. He really thinks that WE are stupid!!

    • SMH says:

      ” He really thinks that WE are stupid!!”

      I think you’re stupid too, and we’re right!

    • Hon. Michael H. Dunkley JP, MP says:

      Straightforward perhaps you forget who started the travel website…

  5. Double S says:

    Gotta love staying in those $700+ a night hotels on the taxpayers dime (re: Fintech presentations trip).

    But even more amazing is the speed in which these were posted once highlighted by the media.

  6. Stormy daniels says:

    These guys are living the life…

  7. steve says:

    What is miscellaneous? why is it not a constant line item? Why is it 30% of some trips? Oh never mind, just make a miscellaneous line and it will go away in 25minuts 11 seconds

    • Question says:

      That’s where they hide the expenses they don’t want you to see.

  8. Now What says:

    I’m wondering where the accommodations and transport for Switzerland is. Fondue must be cheap as there.

    • Family Man says:

      An awful lot of expenses are picked up on the civil service tab that’s then ‘approved’ by the Minister.

  9. Toodle-oo says:

    Does anyone really buy the meal costs (when they’re actually included)?

  10. Question says:

    Why are we findng out about these months later?
    This is NOT open government.
    They have no respect for taxpayers.

    • Stormy daniels says:

      And they preached transparency…

    • Ok says:

      Oh shut up and hug an OBA person! At least the PLP is putting the country first and trying to get our young people in the legal, accounting and IT areas new jobs in a new industry! What did OBA do? They got to attend mixers and brought sailing to Bermuda at our expense and now how many young people employed by AC? A big fat zero!

      • Question says:

        Young people have been getting jobs for years in law, accounting, IT, insurance. You’re stupid if you think this lot have done anything new there. They have still not created one single job.

      • Stormy daniels says:

        Ok name just 2 things the Plp have done for us since in power?
        Other then not list their travel. Or screw up the bus schedule, or cancel a trash pick up day without extending hours at tynes bay.

  11. cpm says:

    Let’s go peoples campaign it must be time for a march against government cover ups
    Tweed got status yet?

  12. Hmm says:

    You get wha you voted for Bermuda…

  13. Micro says:

    $3k to fly to Santa Monica? Absolutely absurd. How many people were in that party?

  14. Helo says:

    You know that flight was first class! Also, did you know the meals are charged and paid for later in a separate bill to Government by the respective hoasts involved. Hence swept under the carpet by Gov’t.

  15. Redrose says:

    One entry misses air flight and that is sure a lot of ‘miscellaneous’ items!

  16. warwick pond skink says:

    Certainly an improvement over Ewart who managed a whopping $24,000 in one trip to the UK with just the cost of flights (him and his two ‘bodyguards’ in First class!! )
    Seriously – bodyguards in the Uk … like any one over there cared less about him!!

    • Question says:

      I can remember the $50k in limos in one trip to DC.

      And the two bodyguards he spent years trying to deny.

  17. Joe Bloggs says:

    A $33,700 oversight? Really? That does not instil confidence in me

  18. Claire says:

    Minister Caines is killin’ it for Bermuda right now. His travel expenses are a small investment in our future. Keep it up, Caines!

    • SMH says:

      lolololol…you’re as stupid as your government.

  19. Guy Carri says:

    $600 and $700 rooms PER NIGHT?!
    $999 misc?! Let me guess, there’s is a $1,000 allowance/cap?
    $4,000 to London isn’t the back of the bus fare…..

    Think we should also be told if the members stayed in said locations longer for personal reasons. Can’t imagine going to some of those places for only one or two nights. That said there could be hidden motive to attend something so far for so brief of time…

  20. Stevie says:

    Who screwed up the port royal golf & other construction jobs. The PLP. Who brought more money in for a major sporting event? The OBA. The 4 years golf tournament was a waste. A coverup to give PLP kudos over the promotion of tourism. Jobs for the boys. DeSilva, Brown. Guess die hard PLP fools gave short memories.