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OTTAWA Thirty MPs took all-expenses-paid trips to Taiwan last year, and 28 of them brought a spouse or a family member, prolonging a parliamentary tradition that is coming under growing fire inside and outside Ottawa.

While dozens of MPs embark on the trips yearly, other parliamentarians and outside experts view the free travel as an unethical perk and fear that the junkets compromise the objectivity of Canada's elected officials.

In interviews, MPs who went to Taiwan last year said the trips were packed with meetings and visits that highlight the island's economic vigour, in addition to touristy jaunts to national parks and other attractions.

But many acknowledged that being able to bring their spouse or a companion was essential to accepting the trips, which typically coincide with breaks in the parliamentary calendar.

"It made it more palatable to take a week away from my riding and my children, knowing that I got to spend a few days with my wife. If she had not been invited, I'm not sure whether I would have gone or not," said Conservative MP Barry Devolin.

"Quite frankly, it's probably the most time I've spent with my wife in the last year," he said.

Liberal MP Judy Sgro said she has been receiving invitations to Taiwan ever since she became an MP seven years ago, and accepted only last year.

"I went because I had an opportunity for my husband to join me, as well as hearing from my colleagues that it was a very interesting, albeit tiring, trip to do," she said. "We're away from our families enough." When asked about his trip, New Democrat Peter Stoffer emphasized that the costs of the travel for two were entirely borne by the Taiwanese.

"The Taiwan government . . . paid for it. It doesn't come out of the Canadian dime," he said.

Overall, pro-Taiwan groups paid $200,000 to bring over the 30 Canadian MPs and 28 travel companions. On average, each visit to the country, which is struggling to obtain recognition on the world stage in the face of Chinese opposition, was worth almost $7,000.

Canadian MPs said they're continually approached by Taiwanese officials in Ottawa who offer free jaunts for them and a companion to the former Chinese province where they are lodged, as Liberal MP Stephen Owen said, in "palatial" hotels.

Every morning during the week-long junkets, MPs are bused in small delegations to meet with Taiwanese politicians, including the island's president, and visit Taiwan's largest economic organizations. The MPs said they learned about the island's democratic institutions and the threat from nearby Chinese missiles, while they push issues such as Canadian beef imports that are still blocked after Canada's cases of mad cow disease.

There are no rules governing these junkets, apart from the fact that MPs must report them to the Ethics Commissioner, including the costs incurred by their travel companion.

Government ethics expert Ian Greene said the trips raise questions for MPs in this day and age: Are they gathering information in a balanced way? Do they need to be accompanied by a family member? Is this essential to their work as a Canadian MP? Overall, the York University political scientist said MPs will likely have problems justifying the junkets, given that such perks are not available to other Canadians.

"That would seem to be using public office for personal gain," Mr. Greene said.

A number of MPs also object to the junkets, saying that parliamentarians are used as pawns in the fight between China and Taiwan.

"You always get offered the exchange trips, but I am very sensitive towards these trips," said Liberal MP Omar Alghabra. "One of them is to Taiwan obviously. It's the most popular one. It's just, I'm always wary of privately sponsored trips." Mr. Alghabra said that in his view, the trips are not politically neutral.

"I don't think there is anything wrong with taking them, but as a new MP, I am still in the process of establishing my credibility and my knowledge systems. So I don't want anybody to ask questions of my agenda, if I had a hidden agenda, who is influencing my decisions," he said.

Liberal MP Dan McTeague, who went to Taiwan in 1994, said he viewed his trip was an attempt at "indoctrination." Bloc Quebecois MP Real Menard said the goal of the junkets to countries such as Taiwan and Israel, which is the second most popular destination of sponsored trips, borders on propaganda. He said he believes in "parliamentary diplomacy," but added that MPs can't allow their objectivity to be questioned.

"These trips are not holidays, but when we go, we have to shield ourselves from allegations of bias," he said. "Parliamentarians should not travel at the expense of interest groups, even if we sympathize with their objectives. It directs our work, that's obvious." The trips are at the centre of a controversy after China officially complained about them to Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay during his recent visit to Beijing. The Chinese government considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland, and takes offence at gestures that lend it credibility as a sovereign nation.

"The acts of some Canadian parliamentarians not only violate the one-China policy that the Canadian government has repeatedly reiterated, but will also be used by the Taiwan authorities to promote their separatist activities of 'two Chinas' and 'one China, one Taiwan,' thus damaging Sino-Canadian relations and the stability in the Taiwan Strait," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a recent statement to The Globe and Mail.

Taiwan, meanwhile, complained that China is using pressure tactics to isolate it.

Meng Fan-peng, a spokesman for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ottawa, said Taiwan will continue to invite MPs to the island "to exchange ideas and to promote understanding between Canada and Taiwan," he said.

Conservative Whip Jay Hill is a staunch defender of all foreign trips, saying they help MPs learn more about the world around them.

Over the years, he has been to Israel, Japan, China, Taiwan, New Zealand and Australia.

"You just cannot put a price on being right there, being able to interact face-to-face with people in their setting," he said.

New Democrat MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis, who went to Taiwan last year, insisted the trip was packed with meetings.

"People think of this as a junket. It wasn't," she said.

Taiwan is not the only destination for MPs who travel abroad with the help of outside funds.

China even paid earlier this year for the travel costs of a small delegation of MPs to Beijing, which was led by Mr. McTeague.

The Canada-Israel Committee, which is linked to the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy, paid for a delegation of five MPs to Israel last year at a cost of $43,000. Over the years, the Canada-Israel Committee has paid for dozens of trips to Israel by Canadian MPs.

The Canada-Israel Committee does not pay the travel costs of MPs' spouses. However, it allows MPs to downgrade their plane tickets from business to economy, and use the savings to pay for a second ticket for a spouse.

Liberal MP Marlene Jennings said the trip to the country last year was apolitical, and that her delegation met people of all origins and political persuasion. But she acknowledged that the sponsor of last year's trip was pushing a pro-Israel perspective.

"The Canada-Israel Committee, it can have a political objective, but the parliamentarians who agree to go on the trip are there to meet their Arab and Jewish counterparts," Ms. Jennings said.

She said that the Canada-Israel Committee aims to increase the understanding of the situation in Israel beyond the conflict with its Arab neighbours.

"It's not an association that has a single goal. The Canada-Taiwan [sponsors have] a single goal, which is the official recognition of Taiwan in international institutions," she said.

Mr. Menard of the Bloc Quebecois created earlier this year a Canada-Palestine group along with Liberal senator Lucie Pepin. Mr. Menard said he will refuse third-party funds for any trip to Palestine.

"It wouldn't be more acceptable to obtain funding from the Arab community," Mr. Menard said.

Junket feverBloc MP Guy Andre and Line Michelin Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Andre said he used the trip to find alternative markets for the furniture industry in his riding.

Sponsor: Chinese Culture University Date: Oct. 7-14, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,003.60; accommodation $1,534.57; gifts $150 Travel companion: Mr. Andre said the Taiwanese hosts insist that all MPs invite their partners, and that his spouse had the opportunity to take the time off.

Conservative MP Dean Allison and Michele Thornley Allison Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Not available Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: July 15-22, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,578; accommodation $1,102.41; gifts $150 Travel companion: Comment not available Liberal MP Larry Bagnell Where: Anchorage, Alaska Stated goal: Guest speaker Result: Made a speech on issues affecting northern Canada and the United States, such as pipelines, railroads and wildlife refuges.

Sponsor: Association for Canadian Studies in the United States Date: Sept. 28-30, 2006 Cost: transportation $971.49 US Conservative MP Leon Benoit and Linda Benoit Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Not available Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: July 15-22, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,578; accommodation $1,418.03; gifts $150 Travel companion: Comment not available Bloc MP Diane Bourgeois and Catherine Bourgeois-Garanlt Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Ms. Bourgeois could not be reached for comment, but an aide pointed out that the trip cost taxpayers nothing.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: May 21-27, 2006 Cost: transportation $9,029.10; accommodation $1,200; gifts $500 Travel companion: Comment not available Conservative MP Patrick Brown Where: Switzerland Stated goal: Attending event of International Young Democratic Union Result: Not available Sponsor: Presents Switzerland Date: May 20-27, 2006 Cost: transportation $700; accommodation $300 Bloc MP Paule Brunelle Where: Israel Stated goal: Status of women studies Result: Ms. Brunelle said she learned about women's issues in the Israel armed forces and in the economy Sponsor: Canada-Israel Committee Date: May 20-28, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,667.44; accommodation $1,278.68; other $ 1,715 Robert Carrier and Marie Aquin Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Carrier said he focused on trade issues and pushed for the opening of the Taiwanese border to Canadian beef.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: July 15-22, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,578; accommodation $1,238.62; gift $150 Travel companion: Mr. Carrier said inviting MPs' spouses is the "Taiwanese way of doing things" and was convenient because the trip occurred during a parliamentary break.

NDP MP Chris Charlton Where: Las Vegas Stated goal: Speaking engagement/conference Result: Spoke to an international audience about the Canadian situation in regards to the crisis in pension plans in areas such as the steel industry.

Sponsor: International Association of Machinists Date: Nov. 14-17, 2006 Cost: transportation $750.40; accommodation $194.02 US; other $150 US NDP MP Olivia Chow Where: Montreal Stated goal: Guest commentator for CTV at Liberal convention Result: "I was on the CTV panel for the whole time," Ms. Chow said.

Sponsor: CTV Date: Dec. 1-3, 2006 Cost: transportation $150; accommodation $350 NDP MP Joe Comartin Where: Poland and Ukraine Stated goal: Fact-finding and goodwill with Windsor's twin city of Lublin Result: Mr. Comartin said he met with officials from all levels of government to foster increased co-operation on issues such as the environment and education between Canada and Eastern Europe.

Sponsor: City of Lublin and Canadian Polish Congress Date: July 18-27, 2006 Cost: transportation $150; accommodation $360; gift $240; other $410 Liberal MP Irwin Cotler Where: Geneva, Switzerland Stated goal: Conference presenter Result: Spoke at a roundtable discussion about the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and met with students.

Sponsor: UN Watch Date: March 12-17, 2006 Cost: Not available Liberal MP Irwin Cotler and Howard Liebman Where: Massachusetts Stated goal: Lecture at Harvard University Result: Offered a comparison of the Canadian and U.S. justice systems.

Sponsor: Harvard University Date: March 20-21, 2006 Cost: transportation $186.05 US; accommodation $2,500 US; other $60 US Travel companion: Mr. Cotler is sometimes accompanied by his executive assistant who handles communications, logistics and other issues.

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler Where: New York Stated goal: Commencement/honorary doctorate Result: After receiving an honorary doctorate in law, Mr. Cotler gave the commencement address at Yeshiva University.

Sponsor: Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University) Date: May 24-26, 2006 Cost: transportation $200; accommodation $500 Liberal MP Irwin Cotler and Howard Liebman Where: Jerusalem, Israel Stated goal: International conference (presenter) Result: Gave the keynote speech to a conference of Holocaust educators.

Sponsors: Yad Vashem, Association For Canadian Studies, University of Jerusalem and Wexner Foundation Date: June 22-July 7, 2006 Cost: Not available Travel companion: Mr. Cotler is sometimes accompanied by his executive assistant who handles communications, logistics and other issues.

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler Where: Israel Stated goal: Lecture at international terrorism conference Result: Spoke about terrorism and human rights as the "dilemmas of democracies." Sponsor: Interdisciplinary Center Date: Sept. 7-15, 2006 Cost: hotel and transportation $2,311.49 Liberal MP Irwin Cotler Where: New York Stated goal: Speech to Darfur rally Result: Spoke to tens of thousands of demonstrators at a rally in Central Park on the genocide.

Sponsor: Save Darfur Date: Sept. 17, 2006 Cost: transportation $400 US Liberal MP Irwin Cotler and Howard Liebman Where: Buenos Aires, Argentina Stated goal: Attend conference and give lecture Result: Gave the keynote address on the major issues facing the world, such as genocide, at a conference titled To Repair the World.

Sponsor: UNDP (United Nations) Date: Oct. 4-5, 2006 Cost: transportation $6,484 US; other $833 US Travel companion: Mr. Cotler is sometimes accompanied by his executive assistant, who handles communications, logistics and other issues.

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler Where: Boston and New Haven Stated goal: Attend a conference and give a lecture Result: Received the "global citizen award" and gave an address.

Sponsors: Tufts University and Yale University Date: Oct. 11-15, 2006 Cost: transportation $901.70 US; accommodation $507.00 US Liberal MP Irwin Cotler Where: New York Stated goal: Deliver a speech Result: Spoke on the issue of genocide at a law school.

Sponsor: Cardozo School of Law Date: Oct. 21-24, 2006 Cost: transportation $890; accommodation $645 US Liberal MP Roy Cullen Where: Arusha, Tanzania Stated goal: Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption / World Bank conference Result: Led a workshop on the importance of the fight against money laundering.

Sponsor: Parliamentary Centre of Canada and the World Bank Date: Sept. 20-23, 2006 Cost: transportation $11,113.02; accommodation $554; other: $502.02 Liberal MP Roy Cullen and Ethne Cullen Where: Washington, D.C.

Stated goal: Speaker at the National Association of State Budget Officers conference Result: Offered a comparison between the Canadian and U.S. health systems.

Sponsor: NASBO Date: Oct 20-23, 2006 Cost: transportation $98; accommodation $1,000; gifts $180; other: $50 Travel companion: "I hardly see my wife and it's nice to spend time with her from time to time," Mr. Cullen said.

Bloc MP Claude De Bellefeuille Where: Israel Stated goal: Status of women studies Result: Ms. De Bellefeuille said she went to Israel to learn about the status of women in the country.

Sponsor: Canada-Israel Committee Date: May 21-28, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,667.44; accommodation $1,278.68; other $1,715 Bloc MP Nicole Demers and Yves Blanchette Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Not available Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: Oct. 7-14, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,003.60; accommodation $1,405; gifts $150 Travel companion: Information not available Conservative MP Barry Devolin and Ursula Devolin Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Devolin said he led the Canadian delegation and spoke at every opportunity about the need to open Taiwan's border to Canadian beef.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: May 20-27, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,941.10; accommodation: $1,218; gifts $200 Travel companion: Mr. Devolin, a father of two, said it was the most time he had spent with his wife since becoming an MP and that he likely wouldn't have gone if she had not been invited.

Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal and Keerat Dhaliwal Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Dhaliwal said he spoke about trade and globalization with Taiwanese officials.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: July 15-22, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,000; accommodation $1,200; gifts $150 Travel companion: Mr. Dhaliwal brought his daughter, who was off to study abroad, adding that "an MP's life is busy" and this was an opportunity to be in her company.

Liberal MP Wayne Easter and Helen Easter Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: After meeting with senior Taiwanese politicians, Mr. Easter said he can now "separate the wheat from the chaff" when people talk about Taiwan and China.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: March 25-April 1, 2006 Cost: transportation $2,474.55; accommodation $1,320; gifts $200 Travel companion: Mr. Easter said MPs lead "very busy lives and are often away from their families" and has "no regret" in taking his wife on the trip.

Bloc MP Carole Freeman Where: Israel Stated goal: Status of women studies Result: Ms. Freeman said she met with women's groups of all origins across the country and saw the border with Lebanon that was later the stage of the war, obtaining a clear grasp on the issues in the area.

Sponsor: Canada-Israel Committee Date: May 21-28, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,667.44; accommodation $1,278.68; other $1,715 Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant and James Gallant Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Not available Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: July 15-22, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,516; accommodation $1,281.10; gifts $150 Travel companion: Comment not available Bloc MP Monique Guay Where: Israel Stated goal: Status of women studies Result: Not available Sponsor: Canada-Israel Committee Date: May 21-28, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,667.44; accommodation $1,278.68; other $1,715 Conservative MP Jay Hill and Leah Murray Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: "You just cannot put a price on being right there, being able to interact face-to-face with people in their setting," he said.

Sponsor: Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Date: July 15-22, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,578; accommodation $1,336; gifts $150 Travel companion: "The government of Taiwan recognizes that the entire experience (cultural, political, diplomatic, etc.) will be much more rewarding and doubly memorable when shared, and, thus worthy of their investment," he said.

Liberal MP Michael Ignatieff and Zsuzsanna Zsohar Where: Washington, D.C.

Stated goal: Saban Forum 2006 Result: Not available Sponsor: Saban Forum Date: Dec. 8-10, 2006 Cost: transportation $1,703.45; accommodation $982.42 Travel companion: Comment not available Liberal MP Marlene Jennings Where: Israel Stated goal: Status of women studies Result: Ms. Jennings said she met parliamentarians of all backgrounds and origins on the trip to discuss women's issues.

Sponsor: Canada-Israel Committee Date: May 21-28, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,667.44; accommodation $1,278.68; other: $1,715 NDP MP Peter Julian Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: The B.C. MP said his riding has almost 10,000 people of Taiwanese origin and he benefited from "seeing Taiwanese democracy functioning." Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: July 15-22, 2006 Cost: transportation $2,789; accommodation $1,323.72; gifts $150 Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis and Kathy Gooch Where: Paris Stated goal: Presentation to UNESCO Result: Made a speech on the destruction of Armenian cemeteries in Azerbaijan.

Sponsor: Parliamentary Group Switzerland-Armenia Date: Oct. 14-19, 2006 Cost: transportation $1,100; accommodation $1,400 Travel companion: Mr. Karygiannis said he travelled with an aide who was in charge of communications and other issues.

Conservative MP Wajid Khan and Tasmin Khan Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Not available Sponsor: Chinese Culture University Date: Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,704.22; accommodation $1,836.21; gifts: $150 Travel companion: Comment not available Independent MP David Kilgour (now retired) Where: Rabat, Morocco Stated goal: Meeting with officials and AGM for First Step Forum Result: Worked to find a solution to the territorial dispute involving Western Sahara.

Sponsor: First Step Forum Date: Jan. 11-18, 2006 Cost: transportation $523.77; accommodation $750 US Independent MP David Kilgour (now retired) Where: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Stated goal: Meetings with new MPs in Ethiopia parliament Result: Mr. Kilgour said he spoke to government and opposition members of the Ethiopian parliament about the role of Canadian parliamentary committees.

Sponsor: Parliamentary Centre Date: Jan. 22 - 28, 2006 Cost: transportation $1,965.25; accommodation $486 US Conservative MP Daryl Kramp and Carol Ann Kramp Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Kramp was interested in understanding how Canada is perceived in Taiwan. He later travelled to China to obtain a full picture of the situation in the area.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: May 20-27, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,941.10; accommodation: $1,218; gifts $200 Travel companion: Mr. Kramp said he always tries to travel with his wife, and did so on this occasion.

Bloc MP Carole Lavallee Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Meeting Result: Ms. Lavallee said she presented her party's sovereignty agenda for Quebec in meetings, and discussed workplace issues with Taiwan's labour minister in a two-hour-long meeting.

Sponsor: Chinese Culture University Date: Aug. 27-Sept. 2, 2006 Cost: transportation $2,852.11; accommodation $1,627.25; gifts $75 NDP MP Wayne Marston and Barbara Marston Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Marston's delegation met with the president and vice-president of Taiwan, discussing the status of Canadian beef and learning about human rights in the area.

Sponsor: Chinese Culture University Date: Oct. 7-14, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,003.60; accommodation $1,462.68; gift: $150 Travel companion: Mr. Marston said he travelled with his wife given that the invitation was for two people.

Liberal MP Paul Martin Where: Pretoria, South Africa Stated goal: Roundtable discussion and summit meeting of the Progressive Governance Network Result: Mr. Martin gave a presentation on international trade and global security and participated in a roundtable discussion with world leaders.

Sponsor: Republic of South Africa Date: Feb. 9-12, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,400 NDP MP Pat Martin Where: Bangkok, Thailand Stated goal: Guest speaker at conference Result: Mr. Martin delivered the keynote address and condemned "Canada's shameful dumping of asbestos in third world countries." Sponsor: International Ban Asbestos Secretariat Date: July 25-29, 2006 Cost: transportation $2,300; accommodation $160 Liberal MP Bill Matthews and Vera Miller Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Not available Sponsor: Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Date: May 20-27, 2006 Cost: transportation $9,029.10; accommodation: $1,500; gifts $400 Travel companion: Mr. Matthews said he took his wife because she was invited. "She enjoyed it too," he said.

Conservative MP Bob Mills Where: Brussels Stated goal: G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue Brussels legislator's forum Result: Was a member of the Canadian delegation at the international conference aiming to find solutions to global warming.

Sponsor: G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue Date: July 7-9, 2006 Cost: transportation $2,179; accommodation $608.73 Maria Mourani and Evelyne Snow Where: Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt Stated goal: Mission related to the crisis in Lebanon Result: Ms. Mourani met government officials and war victims in the three countries to produce a report that was presented to her Bloc colleagues and made public.

Sponsor: Conseil national des relations canado-arabes Date: Aug. 14-24, 2006 Cost: transportation $ 4,500 Travel companion: Ms. Mourani was accompanied by an assistant responsible for communications matters.

Bloc MP Maria Mourani and Nayef Mustapha Where: Edmonton Stated goal: Conference mission to Lebanon Result: Ms. Mourani presented the findings from her trip to Lebanon to a conference.

Sponsor: Union libanaise culturelle mondiale, section Edmonton Date: Sept. 16-18, 2006 Cost: Not available Travel companion: Ms. Mourani was accompanied by an assistant responsible for communications.

Bloc MP Christian Ouellet and Estelle Cote Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Ouellet said he discussed environmental issues and learned lots about Taiwan, but failed to push for the recognition of Quebec sovereignty.

Sponsor: Chinese Culture University Date: Aug. 26 to Sept. 2, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,584; accommodation $1,790; gift $150 Travel companion: Mr. Ouellet said that being accompanied by his spouse facilitated informal discussions with Taiwanese officials.

Liberal MP Stephen Owen and Diane Owen Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: "I deal with the Taiwanese-Canadian community in Vancouver constantly and I think the overriding interest that we should all have as parliamentarians, whether in government or not, is the safety of Taiwan," he said.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: March 25-April 1, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,949.10; accommodation $1,320; gifts $200 Travel companion: Mr. Owen said his spouse is involved with community work in the constituency and benefited from the trip.

Liberal MP Yasmin Ratansi Where: Baku,Azerbaijan Stated goal: Building relations and trade Result: Ms. Ratansi said she went on a "search mission" in the resource-rich country to foster ties and trade, adding she is planning further trips with other MPs.

Sponsor: Embassy of Azerbaijan Date: March 14-19, 2006 Cost: Not available Liberal MP Yasmin Ratansi and Zeenat Khatri Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Ms. Ratansi said she was impressed with the high level of research and development on the island.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: July 15-22, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,621.60; accommodation $1,202.21; gifts $150 Travel companion: Ms. Ratansi said she took a staffer to offer the aide some "geo-political exposure." Liberal MP Mike Savage and Darlene Killen Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan Relations Result: Mr. Savage said he learned about the politics and the economy of Taiwan, with which he was unfamiliar.

Sponsor: Chinese Culture University Date: Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,007.40; accommodation $2,252.11; gifts $150 Travel companion: Mr. Savage said it's "nice to get away" with his spouse, whom he doesn't see often because of political life.

Conservative MP Andrew Scheer and Jill Scheer Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Diplomatic Result: Mr. Scheer met with Taiwanese officials and encouraged the government to "open their border to Canadian beef." Sponsor: Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Date: May 20-27, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,700; accommodation $1,200; gifts $200 Travel companion: Mr. Scheer said MPs are already away from home when the House is sitting, and that the Taiwanese government is conscious that more MPs will accept its invitation if they can bring along their spouse.

Liberal MP Judy Sgro and Sam Sgro Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Ms. Sgro said she got "far more than what I expected to get back" from her meetings with Taiwanese officials on economic issues.

Sponsor: Chinese Culture University Date: Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,879.40; accommodation $2,260.32; gifts $150 Travel companion: Ms. Sgro said that ability to travel with her husband was key in accepting the invitation for the long trip.

Liberal MP Lloyd St. Amand and Helen Dallaway Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. St. Amand said he got a "greater appreciation of Taiwan, its people and its political situation." Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: March 25-April 1, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,949.10; accommodation $1,320; gifts $200 Travel companion: Mr. St. Amand said his spouse participated in almost all of the events organized for MPs and now has a better understanding of the country.

NDP MP Peter Stoffer and Andrea Pottyondy Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Stoffer said he learned about Taiwan's culture and security situation, while pushing Canadian concerns such as beef exports and immigrations.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: March 25-April 1, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,949.10; accommodation: $1,320; gifts $200 Travel companion: Mr. Stoffer said travelling with his spouse was a pleasant experience. "The Taiwan government . . . paid for it. It doesn't come out of the Canadian dime." Liberal MP Robert Thibault and Janice Boudreau Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Thibault said the trip allowed him to improve his understanding of the region.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: March 25-April 1, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,949.10; accommodation: $1,320; gifts $200 Travel companion: Mr. Thibault brought his wife to share the experience, pointing out that MPs don't have that luxury in official parliamentary business.

Conservative MP Mervin Tweed and Bev Tweed Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Not available Sponsor: Chinese Culture University Date: Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,958.60; accommodation $ 1,849.32; gifts $150 Travel companion: Comment not available Liberal MP Roger Valley and Carole Valley Where: Taipei, Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Mr. Valley said the trip was his first to Asia and provided a bit of a "culture shock." He used the opportunity to push for Canadian beef in Taiwan.

Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: March 25-April 1, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,949.10; accommodation: $1,320; gifts $200 Travel companion: Mr. Valley said that being away from family is the most difficult part of being an MP and was happy that the Taiwanese invited his spouse and created a "warm family feeling" on the trip.

NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis and Ron Wasylycia-Leis Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: The Manitoba MP said the trip was packed with meetings and resulted in a "two-way flow of information" between Canadian and Taiwanese officials on political and economic issues.

Sponsor: Chinese Culture University Date: Aug. 26 - Sept. 2, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,714.36; accommodation $1,829.14; gifts $150 Travel companion: Ms. Wasylycia-Leis brought her husband, saying "there are so few opportunities to involve our spouses in the regular work of Parliament.

Liberal MP Bryon Wilfert Where: London, England Stated goal: International Advisory Board meeting Result: Attended in his capacity as a board member for the environmental group.

Sponsor: Global Legislators Organization for a Better Environment Date: Feb. 23-25, 2006 Cost: transportation $1,850 Liberal MP Bryon Wilfert Where: Beijing Stated goal: Carbon Expo - Globe G8+5 Delegation Result: Spoke on environmental issues at the conference.

Sponsor: Globe G8+5 International Dialogue Date: Oct. 24-30, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,188; accommodation $ 636.30 Liberal MP Bryon Wilfert Where: Mexico Stated goal: Globe G8 government ministers meetings Result: Attended the environmental conference that had been snubbed by the Canadian government.

Sponsor: Globe G8+5 Delegation Date: Oct. 4-6, 2006 Cost: transportation: $1,952.85, accommodation $300 Liberal MP Bryon Wilfert Where: London, England Stated goal: G8+Climate Change Dialogue Result: Worked on environmental issues as part of the forum of international parliamentarians.

Sponsor: Globe International Dialogue Date: Nov. 12-14, 2006 Cost: transportation $588; accommodation 145.70 GBP per night Liberal MP Blair Wilson and Kelly Wilson Where: Taiwan Stated goal: Canada-Taiwan relations Result: Not available Sponsor: Chinese International Economic Co-operation Association Date: March 25-April 1, 2006 Cost: transportation $4,949.10; accommodation: $1,350; gifts $200 Travel companion: Comment not available Conservative MP John Williams Where: Buenos Aires, Argentina Stated goal: To speak to members of the Latin American Parliamentarians Against Corruption to strengthen the organization Result: Mr. Williams said he spoke to LAPAC members about the fight against corruption.

Sponsor: The Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption Date: April 4-8, 2006 Cost: transportation $765.29; accommodation $400.97; other $56.96 Conservative MP John Williams Where: Dar Es Salaam, Arusha, Tanzania Stated goal: Pre-conference negotiations for global conference Result: Mr. Williams worked on the organization of a conference against corruption, which he chaired.

Sponsor: The Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption Date: July 7-15, 2006 Cost: transportation $12,166.68; accommodation $1,071.04; other $2.91 Conservative MP John Williams Where: Arusha, Tanzania Stated goal: GOPAC Global Conference Result: Mr. Williams chaired an international conference against corruption and presented a conference on the issue.

Sponsor: GOPAC Date: Sept. 18-25, 2006 Cost: transportation $5,667.30; accommodation $4,811.55; other $2,368.63 Conservative MP John Williams Where: Guatemala Stated goal: Speaker at International anti-corruption conference Result: Mr. Williams gave a speech on the fight against corruption.