I've been to Canada. More than once. I wasn't there long whenever I went. Once I left Detroit to cross the border, see what I could see within a mile or less then return. I just wanted to step into another neighborly nation to add to my short list of nations I've visited.
I've never been to .
New Orleans has.
The mayor has been to plenty of places I haven't been. So have Mayors Ray Nagin, Marc Morial, Sidney Barthelemy, Moon Landrieu and Mitch Landrieu. I've lived in enough places that I can say my mayors in Grambling, West Monroe and Monroe; Cary and Raleigh, North Carolina; Gary, Indiana; Philadelphia; and even those representing Maple Shade and Collingswood in New Jersey went places I didn't go.
I was cool with nearly all of it, but I didn't live a single place where somebody didn't have an issue with at least one trip taken by their mayor. At one City Council meeting or another, at one public event or another, somebody would ask why the mayor had to go to a particular place, for a particular length of time and for what particular purpose. Best I can remember, none of those mayors went to prison for taking a trip in violation of state or federal laws and no local charges were brought against any of them.
There doesn't seem to be anything nefarious. There doesn't seem to be anything illegal.
Travel is an important part of diplomacy, education, long-term planning and economic development — all in a mayor's portfolio.
Mayor Dutch Morial went to Africa in 1980. Mayor Marc Morial went to Paris to attend the InterAmerican Bank Conference. He pitched and brought the conference to New Orleans not long after. Mayor Nagin went to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress for more funding for city programs. I could go on, but I won't. I'm pretty sure each of these trips included some City Council members. Perhaps if City Council President JP Morrell and other council members had been invited to join Madame Mayor on some of these trips, we might not have had the recently.
Not all city travel is international. And mayors aren't the only city employees who travel.
In 2024, hundreds of city employees traveled on city business. The city was on track to have a like number of employees traveling this year, and it may happen again. But some who regularly travel, who are scheduled to travel or who should travel have been scared by the recent travel ban controversies and they don't want to go.
That's a shame.
By far, most city employee travel is required to fulfill grant requirements or to get or maintain specific certifications. By far, most city employee travel is done by public safety employees.
Cantrell went to the conference in May to participate with mayors and others who advocate for Canadian municipal governments. The group said the mayor was there "for an important conversation about the economic challenges faced by cities on both sides of the border" during President Donald Trump's second term. With all the chaos 47 is causing, I'd love to hear what the mayor thinks. I hope the session was recorded, or maybe someone has a transcript.
was impressed with our mayor. "Great meeting with Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans today at . Her insights on the cross-border impact of tariffs were timely — reminding us that both the U.S. and Canada thrive when we work together." he posted on Facebook on May 30.
Most of us didn't know she was in Ottawa until after she stopped for a pic with Mrakas or we saw a post by FCM featuring the mayor on a panel discussion.
I would like to know whether our mayor ate some poutine, Canada's unofficial national dish made with cheese, French fries and gravy. Or maybe she stopped by BeaverTails, the famous Ottawa pastry shop. I'm certain the mayor didn't confuse Bytown, Ottawa's nickname, for Bywater in New Orleans.
I wish I had known she was going to Canada before she boarded her flight. Her press secretary told this newspaper's Ben Myers that FCM had released information about the conference. Most conferences do, but most don't notify the municipalities led by mayors and other officials.
Cantrell has been to several American cities, South Korea, Kenya, Dubai, Qatar, Rio and Barcelona. This newspaper estimated that some of that travel cost about $250,000.
I really don't care.
I expect my mayors to travel to represent me and other citizens, residents and taxpayers — and to make the most of these trips to make things better for us back at home. But maybe take City Council members and travel coach.