The Niagara Region's CAO did not attend the International Expo held in Shanghai last week.
After a controversial vote to send Carmen D'Angelo to China at the final meeting of the outgoing council on November 1st, medical advice intervened and prevented him from attending.
In an email, from Regional Communications Consultant Peter Criscione, D'Angelo received medical advice recommending against international travel.
"As you are aware, Niagara Regional Council endorsed the CAO’s participation in the event which was further supported by the business community members. However, the CAO received medical advice recommending against international travel at this time. The Region is currently seeking to recoup as much of the travel costs as possible including a refund for airfare."
It was expected the trip would cost taxpayers more than $4,000.
CKTB News reached out to D'Angelo for comment last week and today and has not received any reply.