Corbett worked as a television cameraman for CJCB-TV, the CTV affiliate in Sydney and volunteered with the provincial NDP as well as the labour movement for over 25 years, primarily with the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union.
[citation needed] On November 10, 2009, it was revealed that Corbett had the highest meal expense bills on file amongst cabinet members in the new NDP government.
[13] A check of ministers' records showed that Corbett expensed $441.48 for six people at the Keg restaurant in downtown Halifax on June 19, the night he and his 11 cabinet colleagues were sworn in.
[citation needed] These revelations came after a statement released in September 2009 in which Corbett stated that because of the province's projected $590-million deficit, MLAs and staff had to be prepared to "lead by example."
When news of Corbett's meal expenses was made public, he was quoted as saying "I screwed up and it won't happen again".