Minister Harjit Sajjan defends use of taxpayer-funded Taylor Swift tickets for charity event

NEW DELHI: Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan addresses criticism over his acceptance of taxpayer-funded tickets to a Taylor Swift concert in British Columbia for himself and his daughter. He states that the event was tied to an important charitable cause.

The controversy arose after it was revealed that Sajjan attended the event while others, such as Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, opted to purchase their own tickets. Mayor Sim notably declined free tickets, citing personal preference for paying his way.

ALSO READ: Taj reaches Ayodhya: Lucknow’s Ladhani, who set up Coca Cola in Amethi, signs up Tata’s 29th UP hotel

Minister Sajjan defended his decision, emphasizing that the tickets were linked to a fundraising initiative for a local food bank. “This is actually about supporting a very good cause,” he explained during a recent press interaction.

Sajjan clarified that his family had already secured tickets for Swift’s Toronto show earlier this year through Ticketmaster. “We had four tickets in much better spots, and we were one of the fortunate ones,” he said, adding that they later chose not to attend the Toronto concert.

Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan defends accepting taxpayer-funded tickets to a Taylor Swift concert in B.C. for himself and his daughter. pic.twitter.com/OnPfHjOGPK

— True North (@TrueNorthCentre) December 4, 2024

According to Sajjan, the Toronto tickets were sold at cost to other fans eager to attend. “We paid for those tickets, but we made sure that they went to the fans who really wanted to go,” he said.

Highlighting his ongoing commitment to charitable causes, Sajjan noted his consistent support for food banks and the importance of raising awareness for food insecurity. “I’m very happy to be able to raise money and create awareness for the food bank as well,” he said.

When asked if he could have supported the cause in another way, Sajjan pointed to his annual involvement with similar initiatives. “I support this cause every single year,” he emphasized.

The issue has sparked debate over the use of public resources for personal benefits, even when tied to charitable activities. While Sajjan’s defense focuses on the broader cause, critics argue the optics could have been better managed.