Laval's elected “life coach” will pay back the cost of his training, which he made taxpayers pay for.

A Laval elected official who made Laval taxpayers pay $5,800 for his “life coach” training has returned the money to the Laval city treasurer.

• Also Read: Elected official makes Laval taxpayers pay for his “life coach” training

Alexander Varnet made this statement when he first responded to our report in a publication on his social networks.

“In order to make amends and make absolutely clear the honest intent of this initial training request, I immediately accepted the offer to reimburse the cost. I believe that there should be no conflict of interest and I feel that through this gesture I should demonstrate my integrity and sincerity,” he wrote.

The counselor explains that he wants to develop leadership and management skills as an elected official.

“My intent is directly related to my work as an elected official and only training modules related to skills useful to an elected official are relevant to the request for partial reimbursement,” Varnett added in his release.

A few days after the training, he offered his services as a life coach on social networks.

Her partner was already in the field and the couple ran their company Équinoxe Coaching.

You can contact them for fees between $100 and $150 per hour. Alexander Varnet is the vice president and his spouse is the president of the company.

He explained that he never intended to use public funds for private purposes.

However, he waited until the mayor's office asked him to repay the amount used fifteen months after the training.

In his publication, he wrote that the past few days have been difficult and he wants to present his version of the facts to rectify the situation and make amends.

The chosen “life coach” did not respond to our interview request.

It is the subject of an investigation by the Quebec Municipal Commission.

Despite his explanations, the Action Laval party is calling on Mayor Boyer to expel elected official Alexandre Varnet from the Movement Lavallois party caucus.

It is reimbursed from the Elected Officials Research and Assistance Fund. This money must “respond to a real and useful need for the purposes to be achieved [des] Duties of Elected Officials as per Administrative Guide from Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

Action Laval asked Municipal Affairs Minister Andre Laforest to extend the CMQ inquiry to all elected officials in Laval.

“In the public interest and to protect the reputation of the city of Laval we bring this request to your desk today Madam Minister,” Action Laval head Akil Cifelli wrote in his letter to the minister.

Remember that all Action Laval elected officials are subject to investigation by the CMQ.

This follows revelations by our Bureau of Investigation about Paolo Galati, who used the research and support budget to cover his expenses, which amounted to an impressive $16,000 worth of Apple devices over 6 years, plus honey and Nutella and chia. Seeds, whole grains, nuts and cauliflower soup, among others.