Rgis Labeaume, Quebec City mayor, racks up $20K in roaming charges

Quebec CityMayorRgisLabeaumegot a big surprise in the mail in February in the form of a phone bill after a trip to Rome, Italy.

Labeaumeracked up charges of $11,800 for using his iPad and $8,060 for using hissmartphonewhile travelling, according to documents Radio-Canada obtained through an Access to Information request.

He also got a $2,106 bill in July after using his iPad in the United States.

• How to avoid cellphone bill shock

The mayor is angry at his cellphone provider.

"If you ask me why, I do not know. Im very angry. I do not understand how cellphone companies allow this to happen,"Labeaume said.

They told me I was using the3Ginstead of theWi-Fi. Im not sure I understand everything.- Rgis Labeaume, Quebec City mayor

The mayor said he wasnt aware that data roaming charges can multiply dramatically when people travelabroad.

"They told me I was using the 3G instead of the Wi-Fi. Im not sure I understand everything,"Labeaume said.

Fortunately for him, the cellphone company reimbursed part of his expenses.

For the Rome trip, the bill of $19,860 was reduced by nearly $13,000, leaving the city with a bill of$6,881.

However, there appears to be no reimbursement in the documents obtained for Labeaumes U.S. trip in July.

He was officially on vacation at the time, but charged the city anyway.

"I work when Im in the United States. They send me stuff. Im never on vacation,"he said.

Labeaumeconfirmed thathis party quipe Labeaumewill pay for the costsincurred during his trip to Rome.He saidhe wants to avoid having taxpayers foot the bill.

Labeaume added that he thinks he doesn't think he should have to payfrom his own pocket because he was away on business and the expenses were within his business functions.

Quebec Citys technology service modified its operations to ensure another situation like this doesnt happen again.