The group says Langtry has been expensing the cost of commuting to Ottawa from his home in Winnipeg since 2006. He's taken 264 flights since he took the job and 80 per cent of those flights were for trips between Ottawa and Winnipeg.
Langtry has also been billing Ottawa for his housing in Ottawa, taxi, meals and incidental expenses, the CTF said.
That's in addition to the estimated $228,400 to $268,700 he earns in salary each year.
"For $760,000 in expenses, the government could have simply bought him a very nice house in Ottawa," CTF Federal Director Aaron Wudrick said in a statement.
"Instead, they're allowing him to continue living 2,000 km away from his place of work, with taxpayers picking up the tab."
The group estimates that if Langtry's expense trend continues until the end of his appointment in 2017, taxpayers will be on the hook for an additional $274,000 in flights, hotels, taxis, meals and incidental expenses.
David Gollob, the director of communications for the Human Rights Commission, tells CTV News that when Langtry was appointed as a full-time Commissioner in 2006 and when he was reappointed in 2012, it was done with "the express understanding that Langtry would continue to live in Winnipeg."
He said Langtry moved into the role of Acting Chief Commissioner in September 2010 when Chief Commissioner Jennifer Lynch needed to take a leave of absence due to illness. Langtry has continued in the role of Acting Chief Commissioner since the Chief Commissioner's term ended in March, 2012.
"Given that his tenure as Acting Chief Commissioner has been on a temporary basis, he has not re-located to Ottawa. This is consistent with custom when an appointment is of a temporary nature," Gollob explained.
He added that Langtry takes economy class flights when flying within Canada and his travel expenses "meet Treasury Board guidelines on travel and hospitality."
Langtry told CTV News that he’s willing to relocate to Ottawa if he is made chief commissioner on a full-time basis.
He says he applied for the top job more than two years ago, but still hasn’t heard back.
“If I were appointed chief commissioner of course I would have to relocate, but it is a temporary position and they could appoint a chief commissioner,” he said.
As part of his current duties and obligations, Langtry said he feels “it’s important to be in Ottawa as much as possible.” He said his job entails many meetings and appearances.
Justice Minister Peter MacKay would only say that he will appoint a chief commissioner “soon.”
MacKay promised Thursday to review Langtry’s expenses.
Original Article
Source: ctvnews.ca/
Author: CTVNews.ca Staff
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