Canada's top science adviser has reportedly spent more than $400,000 on travel across Canada and around the world since being appointed to the role nine years ago by former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Mona Nemer questioned over $400Gs in taxpayer-funded travel since 2017
According to Blacklock's Reporter, Dr. Mona Nemer billed taxpayers for 12 business-class flights to Paris as Chief Science Advisor, including one trip that cost $10,433.23. Other travel expenses within two months of her hiring in 2017 included $18,966 spent on trips to Montreal, Toronto, Victoria, Winnipeg and Washington, D.C.
Nemer, a former University of Ottawa professor and vice-president of research who also directed the school's Molecular Genetics and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory, said travel is part of her job, which pays $393,000 a year.
Travel 'consistent' with job
"My travel is consistent with that of my counterparts, in fact, including my counterpart in Quebec, in Canada," Nemer testified before a House of Commons science and research committee on Nov. 26, 2025. "I think there is a lot of benefit that comes out of the travel. The point is, it's consistent with the job and it's consistent with that of other international counterparts."
Conservative MP Jagsharan Singh Mahal, who represents Edmonton Southeast, questioned whether Nemer flew business class during a recent trip to Paris that cost more than $8,000.
"My travel is according to Government of Canada directives, approved by the deputy minister, and I'm extremely conscious," she replied.
Mahal asked again whether the flight was economy or business class.
Can't recall if trip was business class
"It's unimportant," Nemer replied. "I don't remember." He suggested it was business class based on the cost of the trip. "Otherwise, it would not have been over $8,000. Is that correct?" he asked.
Nemer told committee chair and Liberal MP Salma Zahid that she didn't know how to respond. "I understand your hesitation," Mahal replied. "You're feeling difficulty in answering that question."
"No, I'm not feeling difficulty, sir," she said.
Asked if it was a good use of taxpayer dollars
Mahal then asked Nemer whether spending $8,000 on the trip to Paris was a good use of taxpayer dollars. "I cannot answer the question with a yes or no," she replied.
Mahal later pointed out that Nemer had made more than 20 trips to Europe and again asked whether she believed it justified billing taxpayers for business-class flights. Nemer said government travel is an easy target for critics.
"Madam Chair, travel was part of the job description," she added. "In fact, it said that the candidate needed to be willing to travel."
