Cobourg’s Mayor says he is moving to increase transparency around the corporate credit card connected to the Office of the Mayor.
The card, activated under a previous mayoral administration, was raised during a recent council meeting. The Mayor said while the issue has been framed politically, information about the card has always been part of the public record and available to councillors and residents.
In response, the Mayor announced a new measure that will make access to the information more straightforward. Beginning October 1, 2025, all corporate credit card expenses will be published monthly on the Office of the Mayor’s website.
“This way, anyone interested in what those expenses entail will have them readily and completely available on a continuous basis,” the Mayor said.
He added that he is also preparing to enact a Strong Mayor directive regarding the use of the card, though details have not yet been released.
The Mayor credited Councillor Bureau and Deputy Mayor Beatty for sparking the idea through their discussion at council.
Corporate cards tied to the Office of the Mayor are common in communities across Canada, typically used to cover official business expenses. By providing monthly reporting, Cobourg’s Mayor says the goal is to ensure ongoing accountability and openness while maintaining a record that is easy for residents to access.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)