Coquitlam mayor and councillors weren't the only civic politicians who chose not to commute to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities meeting in Vancouver.
Surrey Councillor Barinder Rasode says her fellow council members and Mayor Dianne Watts all chose to stay in Vancouver hotels.
However, she understands the concerns raised about the way taxpayers' money is spent, considering Surrey has a skytrain line to downtown.
"As we are looking at how we are utilizing taxpayers' dollars that we have to be very thoughtful and efficient but I do believe in this rare opportunity making the most of the opportunity to not only learn but network and build relationships on very significant provincial and federal issues," says Rasode.
She says the cost wasn't frivolous.
Vancouver councillors did not get hotels but the city, as host, did have a hospitality suite for events.