MacKay defends use of military search-and-rescue chopper

On Thursday, Defence Minister Peter MacKay defended his use of a military helicopter that picked him up from a vacation spot last summer, but opposition MPs want him to pay for the trip.

Power Play: MPs discuss Peter MacKay

Conservative MP Laurie Hawn, Liberal MP Scott Simms, and NDP Defence Critic Jack Harris discuss the search-and-rescue chopper which picked up vacationing Defence Minister Peter MacKay last year.

Question period: MacKay responds to chopper use

Defence Minister Peter McKay says he was in Gander, N.L. on a personal visit with friends and then shortened his visit to participate in a search and rescue operation. He later flew on to do government business in Ontario.

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MacKay defends use of military search-and-rescue chopper

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CTVNews.ca Staff

Date: Thu. Sep. 22 2011 9:09 PM ET

Defence Minister Peter MacKay is standing by his use of a Canadian Forces search-and-rescue helicopter at the end of a summer vacation last year, calling the 30-minute flight from a remote fishing lodge to the nearest airport a "training exercise."

On Wednesday, CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported that MacKay used one of the three Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters stationed in Newfoundland and Labrador to fly him from the private lodge an airport in Gander, Nfld.

Military sources said the order to collect MacKay came from the defence minister's own office. That's prompted calls from opposition MPs for MacKay to repay the cost of the flight.

However, MacKay's office said he shortened his trip by a day in order to take part in what they described as a 30-minute training exercise, which had been planned, then cancelled, on several previous occasions.

MacKay came under fire in question period in the House of Commons on Thursday, accused by New Democrat MP Jack Harris of using the military as "his own personal chauffer service."

"His government is paying consultants to tell them how to save money but the minister of defence uses a helicopter that should be on standby for search and rescue to pick him up from a personal fishing trip," Harris said.

"This helicopter was ordered on the day, Mr. Speaker, from his office in Ottawa. How can this minister possibly justify such an inappropriate use of public funds?"

MacKay reiterated that he shortened his vacation in order to participate in the training exercise and get a first-hand look at the work of the search and rescue crews operating out of 9 Wing Gander.

"Had any emergency arisen that would have required search-and-rescue access they would of course have been immediately diverted," he said in the Commons.

MacKay charged that many MPs, including Harris, have participated in similar training exercises over the years.

"As the member would know, having participated in the parliamentary program with the Canadian Forces, members of parliament -- 20 members including himself -- took part in search and rescue activities in the past," MacKay said.

But opposition MPs said that search-and-rescue training exercises are full-day events.

As Harris put it, "being picked up at a cost of $16,000 from a fishing camp is not the way you learn how search-and-rescue helicopters operate"

A military source told CTV News that the situation was unusual.

"This is not a common practice . . . this is the only time a search-and-rescue asset was used as shuttle service," the source said.

The Department of National Defence has three Cormorant helicopters based out of Gander, N.L. Together, they are expected to cover a massive region of eastern Canada 24 hours a day.

"I think it was a case of, ‘I need a lift, can someone please pick me up?'" said Liberal MP Scott Simms.

"What are you going to do in 30 minutes, really?" the Newfoundland MP said on CTV's Power Play on Thursday evening. "And it was awfully convenient to go from point A to point B."

Simms added that he believes MacKay "had a lapse in judgement" regarding the flight.

Military sources say no search-and-rescue demonstration was planned until the very day MacKay's office made the request to pick him up.

DND documents say the total annual cost per flying hour is $32,232 to operate a Cormorant helicopter, and MacKay's flight was about 30 minutes long.

MacKay's office refused to say who owned the private fishing lodge and who else was there, but did say none of those involved had business dealings with the government.

Meanwhile, some residents in MacKay's Nova Scotia are voicing anger at the notion that he may have misused a search-and-rescue chopper.

"I think he should pay for it," said one man.

With a report from CTV Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife

Comments are now closed for this story

adentre
said

I just watched the CTV news tonight to see Mackay explain his position. It seems that he cut his vacation short to get picked up from the Defense Dept. by a helicopter that is on guard for life saving missions. I applaud his selflessness in participating in such a learning opportunity at such an inopportune time like his vacation. He is a hero to me. I wish my kids would aspire to be like him. I believe we should pay him double his salary to compensate him for his time. However, if only there were a way to have him provide a lie detector............ I would love to know the real story. I do believe most Canadians have a REAL good idea what is true and what is fabricated!!!!!!

rick in ab
said

That's okay, come next election, he would have wished he played fair with the tax payers In my opinion

JB in Ontario
said

This is getting absurd. The Honourable Minister of Defense is getting scrutinized because of a 30 minute flight aboard a Cormorant helicopter, used in SAR in regions on the east coast. First, it is not common practice and the flight could have easily been diverted should an emergency arise like stranded boaters etc. Plus there are two other Helicopters on standby.Like the Chief of Defence, the Honourable Minister of Defence should be and is allowed to see how the airmen and women work along with troops fighting in Afghanistan and of course the Royal Canadian Navy.To me, it must be a slow news day when we are attacking the people put in charge of defending this great nation. I hope they caught some salmon!

James Barth
said

The real question is, why in this time of cut backs and austerity programs is the federal government sending senior members of the military / civil service to these �fishing camps�? FYI the military has several of them throughout Canada. This practice has been going on for many decades. Explain why former CDS�s and staff were flown to CFS MASSET (Haida Gwaii) in the early 90�s on fishing trips. (Sorry staff inspections) Explain why senior members of the military / civil service are flown into Eureka, NWT (a scientific research station) Fishing is great there also. Dig deeper CTV this is only the tip of the iceberg. Oh FYI it�s not just the conservatives have done this, all past and present parties have sent people on these little junkets.

S@idie
said

Can we PLEASE report about more important things?? Seriously!! 2 guys takin free trips on tax payer money is NOT NEWS!! It happens every day!! Why is no one used to it by now?? We pay taxes so the government can spend it however they please and guess what? It's never going to end!! So lets move on and talk about better things like where clifford olson's pension is going after his death? I hope to buy fuel for the plane and chopper!!

Larry I Ontario
said

This is an outrage! Another loose canyon of the Harper government. Mr. Harper he must be fired at once for his outragous behavior and mis use of my hard earned tax dollars! Mr. Harper if your boys would stop wasting my money for thier joy rides maybe we could have real tax releif! Mr. McKay is an imbarresment to you and our country. Its time to put him in his place! Everyone should write a letter to the PM to express outrgage! Fire him at once!

Jim
said

If you were the head of a country's military, you'd want to fly in a helicopter too. Big friggin deal. You're just jealous because you can't afford a bus ticket.

Margaret Med Hat
said

If Prince William can get a trip in a Canadian government owned aircraft to take part in a Search and Rescue demonstration/training exercise, then why can't our Minister of Defence? Stop the mud-slinging! There are more pressing problems to deal with. And "Anonymous" needs to keep their mouth shut unless they are willing to identify themselves, Otherwise, why give their "complaint" any air time.

Ferdinand
said

And had the member in question been from another party or a member in a Liberal government, the Conservative apologists would be voicing an outcry. Amazing how supporters of the Conservatives are so myopic.

Point of interesst
said

More people should check out CPAC Question Period is quiet interesting if you can tolerate all the Clapping. Jim Flaherty is not one for answering questions he more times then not just belittled those who ask him questions. I wanted answers and never got them and neither did those asking the questions.Apparently the conservatives have spent about $10 billion on Consultants. Seems there has been some fraud going on as well. I guess the oversight isn't going to well. Rather reminds me of the Harris gov in the oversight of student loans. Over $16 million dollars went to students who did not exist while legitimate students did not get their loans.. Seems some of the same fraud is going on under the watch of the Federal Conservatives. For those who work CPAC is on line so you can check it out anytime. Watch our elected officials in action. Take notes who actually answers questions and who evades them. Very educational. you need Adobe flash and a Media player both are free on line.

Decka
said

The conservatives are defending Peter Mackay by cost and being standard proceedure. but its not about cost it's about the integrity and honesty when you a government official. If a judge catches you in a lie your credibility and honesty are out the window. why not with government

peter in mb
said

I guess Jack Layton idea and the NDP pledge to have a more civilised house of commands died with him. the late Jack Layton would be disappointed at the conduct of this house and of its official opposition.

Alex McComber
said

What a crap excuse.

IslandGuy
said

Sorry but I don't think there is a story here CTV. Those tasked with making decisions and acting on behalf of our nation's safety and defense ought to travel by the most efficient and secure government means of travel available. Whatever and whenever that may be. Even when these leaders are "on vacation" they are always "on the job". I for one would support him taking the same means to this destination as he chose to leave it.

Hunter T.
said

The only thing more incredible than using a search and rescue helicopter as a taxi is Peter MacKay's pathetic explanation! What a load of bull.

Time to shrink the military
said

Normally using a company vehicle for personal use wouldn't cause so much puckering and unpuckering of sphincter muscles. It happens millions of times a day in the private sector. Once the true costs of all these military toys comes to light, the chorus of puckers begins. Perhaps we need to look at why we;re squandering so much money on military hardware. Could the private sector take over SAR and deliver the same service for less money? If it costs $32k/hr for a heli, what does it cost for a war ship blockading Libya for 6 months? Why are we spending so much money on the military when Canada is not and has not ever been, since 1812 anyway, under threat of invasion? Is there an armada somewhere lurking to take over Grimsby? Lets reduce costs all around by chopping the expensive technojunk we don't even need.

Against bullies
said

@ Anthony in Montreal and other bullies - Your angry comments and your baseless accusations of the media are unacceptable in a democratic system. I'm happy that we live in a country where the reporters could broadcast news about unethical use of public funds. I'm sure if you were living in an oppressive country like Iran, Libya, Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia.... you would have report this 'misbehavior' of the journalist to the secret services to take care of the reporter (Having an accident). Fortunately for us and for the reporter you can't do this in Canada even if you have an extremist orthodox mentality

The Nerve
said

I wish, I made $16,000 a year, but I don't and and this guy spent it in half an hour. How insulting to so many hard working Canadians who live from pay check to pay check. I bet there is a whole lot more abuse of Canadian tax dollars we don't know about. I bet this is just a small bit of what is really going on. The bits are adding up, $90,00 thousand a day for a consultant, what ever it was for the army guy, $480 billion for military and bases spending. ETC ETC. The cost of wars we know nothing about which is in the Billions. Probably over $60 billion. Then they will want to cut Social Services, Health Care etc etc like in the US and other NATO countries to pay down their debts. Seems Waring NATO countries just can't seem to get rid of their debt problems. In Europe they are falling like Dominoes. "Blame them dang poor folks it's all their fault." I hear that mantra coming really soon AGAIN. The poor are always the patsies and unfortunately many people get suckered into believing it. Don't be fooled by the Governments propaganda. It's all lies. Been their done that got a whole lot of TEE shirts.

myla
said

What's with all of the CTV HIT PIECES on our military, conservative ministers, and commanders lately? Their left wing media bias is crystal clear. But, the public is so turned off by this that CTV is getting an even worse reputation than they already have. Stop the unwarrented left wing journalism. The SARTECS need to log hours, and this was a good opportunity for Peter McKay to gain first hand understanding.

drtech
said

can i get a ride also since we are not using the aircraft for real work maby we can have it in an amusement park giving rides to kids
tax payers are rich we can afford all the extra cost dont you know our money grow from trees.hahahha.

Shame on you for using our equipement for a joy ride. you got no excuse you shoold pay the bill of expense rigth from your pocket. and next time, walk or take a cab.

Rose
said

The present Conservative Gov is really beginning to remind me of the Days of Brian Mulroney. Spending to much and increasing our debt, abusing Canadian tax dollars for their own personal whims. Mulroney abused Canadians in so many ways. Now the Harper Gov is doing the same thing.. I guess the apple didn't fall to far from the tree. History should never repeat but it seems it is. When you hide things from the people who voted you in then there is corruption afoot. When you spend our money on personal pleasures that is abuse and in my books theft of our hard earned money. Seem the conservatives have forgotten "they work for us", "we are their employers" and we can fire them. When employees steal from their employers what happens? As their employer I am getting pretty angry.

pegger
said

That's what we get for letting these guys run our government. A bunch of narcissists filled with a feeling of entitlement.
While they award another untendered $20 million contract to figure out who they can put out of work, they're blowing money like it's their own.

kg1
said

Buck up buddy! You got busted, now fork over the cash that the "military exercise" cost us!

Anthony from Montreal
said

Shame on you CTV for continually trying to whip anti-Harper sentiment with half-truths and inconsequential sensationalist stories in the quest for higher ratings for your new anchor!This demonstrates pettiness and perhaps a hidden agenda from CTV's corporate masters. Like your faux mini-scandal a day campaign against the PM during the last election, the average middle class citizen like myself will see through this obvious attempt to embarass the PM and his ministers. Perhaps CTV hasn't noticed yet, but the global economy on the verge of crashing might be a good story to take on in depth, and provide even higher ratings for your eager to please new anchor Lisa Laflamme.

Jimminy Cricket
said

Only a complete tool would take the stance he has chosen.

Eddie in the peg
said

I think that the Canadian Public needs to back off e military. Our leaders have done a great job and increased morale. Ctv, having a washed up John McCallum talk about this nonsense shows how out of touch you are. Do we recall Ethal Blondin Andrews using the Challenger to fly her families to her moms funeral. At least the guys today are actually getting work done. Leave them alone and try and find some real stories...like e great work they are doing. Your crap is tearing this country apart.

Bob
said

really MacKay I use to think you were one of the good Ministers in Harper's Gov't

Ron MacD
said

How does it cost "$32,000" per hour to operate one of these Cormorants? I'd like to see the numbers breakdown on this. I'm not arguing it, I'm just curious.

peter in mb
said

For all you haters that did not read this story, this was a �training exercise� something that the military do on a regular bases. Peter MacKay was giving the opportunity to participate in a �training exercise� and he said yes. Police, fire fighters, paramedics all do similar �training exercise� and the crews are not told it is a training exercise until it�s over. The opposition members are probably just mad because they were not asked to participate in a �training exercise�

tax payer
said

I find it disgusting all the stupid uninformed comments on this post. As a civilian I have been involved for over 20 years with the search and rescue. I think I am more qualified than many of the arm chair critics here. I have been on both the Buffalo and the Cormorant for practice and participated in real searches numerous hrs. To the uniformed politicians, news people, and uneducated posters here, give me a break. Before shooting off your face do you realize each pilot and SARTEC has to log a certain amount of hours. To hone their skills they need to fly, jump and practice in different situations and at a moments notice. If they hadn't picked up Peter MacKay from this remote location then they would be flying around logging practice hrs a few days later. Big deal give it a rest people there was no misappropriated funds, corruption, or waste of taxpayers money here. Just poor incomplete reporting, and people that just want to criticize with out knowing what goes on day by day so search and rescue is prepared to function in a real emergency!!!

robin hood
said

Minstrels, if you please! �I�m going to wash those ads right out of my head�, repeat as needed! True, a prime minister is elected for a four year term. The question here should be; are we going to let him keep it? Four years is a long time to have free reign over so many lives, livelihoods.------------------------------------ Any damage done, especially when hidden and ignored will fester and grow, taking on a mind of its own. Nip it in the bud I say. The venerable amongst us will be crushed�those in high places will fall we will be covered with the debris produced by the house of cards they�ve built.--------------------------------------------------- I suppose we could all get on our knees and pray the damage is minimal, (those of you who don�t prey, you, can just stand there or go beat something up. It�s your time you can waste it anyway you�d like) and that it won�t take years and years to recover while the majority of us that do survive, starve! I hope you still have a taste for rat. --------------------------------------------------------If you take issue with Harper and his government then stand up and say so! Could I have a show of hands? I�m getting down to a true showing of democracy, who the hell needs an �error ridden, fixed, electronic vote� anyways, (I�m going to guess it�s not us.) as effective and easy as a �slam dunk�! ------------------------------------------------I�m curious to see who really holds a majority, is it Harper, or is it the ordinary Canadian people? Use the force Luke, imagine, the energy of focused common purpose. It high time �a true consensus� of the �Canadian will� took front and center!

Maggie
said

It seems that our present conservative government is on a power trip and feels so entitled that they feel that what belongs to all of Canadians, bought with taxpayers dollars, is actually their own to use for personal agenda. Glad that the media is exposing McKay's blunder.

Dave in Ottawa
said

What's with the personal vendetta that Robert Fife seems to be on lately? Someone in the Forces cut him off in traffic and this is his payback? Look up "gotcha" journalism, and that's exactly what this is. Poorly researched, mostly inaccurate, and meant to sully those who don't deserve it. How about focusing on something useful, Mr. Fife...like the economy, health care, etc.? Your attack poodle antics are getting tiresome and it's time you found a new target.

Remarkable
said

@ Kevin in Alberta - Well said, the former GG of this country use to ferry herself and family members around on Government jets whether it was due to official business or not. It's funny, if this were a Liberal minister who had done that (and they have done it many times in the past) there would have been nothing said, but because it is McKay and he is a Conservative, well the Liberal and other left wing loonies want to make a story out of it. Fife is a good reporter, however he has shown his red Liberal colours many times in the past and he once again shows that he leans in favour of the Liberals. I know it is his job as a reporter to tell Canadians what their Government and other elected officials are doing with their tax dollars, but Fife tends to pick and choose a lot of these stories as if he has an axe to grind with the Conservatives.

cixcents
said

it comes with the job.so deal with it!moving on.

MARG MM
said

Looks like the opposition and CTV were on a "fishing expedition" of their own. OK, now to be fair, let's see the amount of the opposition MP's travel and other expenses on the taxpayer dime.

Firinn
said

Captain Jim Flaherty has his sinking ship the SS Denial on the waters of the economy , very much like the so called FISCAL minded conservatives on here. Now MacKay has his taxpayer helicopter for leisure travels. One question CONS ? When will you pay back the largest debt in CANADIAN HISTORY ??? hmmmm 2014.... haha SURE , wink wink nudge nudge.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

While folks engage in the staged partisan battle over this matter, and the anti-Conservatives try to build a wimpy little campfire into a raging inferno of political outrage and disgust, departments and agencies within our federal government are, undoubtedly, immersed in the bureaucratic process of "blowing" millions of taxpayer dollars through a fiscally delicious combination of waste and inefficiency. Enjoy the meaningless distraction, friends.

Brett
said

$30,000/hour??? Get Real - Do you really think it costs that much money to pay for a couple of pilots and a few liters of fuel? The $30k/hour figure accounts for training pilots and all the other overhead associated with having SAR services available. The REAL cost of this little flight would be no more than maybe $2,000 (approximately what I have paid when hiring choppers for work). You also have to account for the cost of our defense minister's time and the cost of flying him from Ottawa to attend a training mission on another occassion when he isn't nearby... really, this is insignificant and definitely not news worthy.

BCken
said

Message to Peter and all the other CPC piggies feeding at the taxpayer trough, please keep it up boys and girls. At least for the next four years. That and the new Conservative $100 billion boondoggle of a crime bill should pretty much put an end to this government's run come 2015.The Liberals learned the hard way and so far you're already outdoing them. Voters turn on you quick in this country.

Bert
said

The cost stated really has no relevancy. There is an annual cost to operating and mainting these aircrafts and wether MacKay would have been picked up form the fishing camp or not it still would cost the same. There really was NO added costs to any taxpayer for this pick up on Gander River.

Ben
said

I think we should stop paying taxes. They (Government) are like children, when they don't behave, we should take their allowances back.

Michel1950
said

Much ado about nothing. Chill out people. I guess most NDP'ers and Liberals forgot that Jean Chretien cancellation of the original copter contract cost Canadian taxpayers 500M dollars. And you people are worried about a 15K expense. You need to focus are more important issues.

ouifyg
said

Prof. Pye is right again, it's alright for the government to waste a little bit of our money. it's only once the price tag gets really big that it's corruption. Gimme a break man, misspent funds are misspent no matter how much money is involved.

scott
said

Ah well, look at the bright side, at least they didn't let MacKay fly the damn thing. Before some idiot out there points out that he not qualified to pilot a chooper, keep in mind how many canadian politicians are not qualified to do the jobs they were given. I should have been a politician. The list of perks seems to be endless.

Howard in Brampton
said

Politicians being hypocritical? Do as I say, not as I do? To tell you the truth, I think Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk is of more value to the safety and security of Canadians than Defence Minister Peter MacKay. He gets things done, MacKay just talks.

linda smith
said

MILITARY EXERCISE???!!! How stupid does he think the Canadian people are? Stand up, admit you shouldn't have done it, and pay the price.

jbogfunk
said

Well done recently Mr. Fife! Keep going!

Kevin in Alberta
said

@ Robert Adams, I would not be upset about this story if the reporting was fair and spread around. One has to search deeply to see who our recent Governor General used government funds to fly to family in France or went on vacation. However since she is a media darling with left leaning attributes, that was conveniently over looked. This has all the makings of a witch hunt.... pure ans simple.

Mike
said

We don't know the whole story, obviously. Mr Mackay is the defence minister, perhaps there was an emergency that needed his attention, and this was the fastest way to get him back to his office. When your business is the defence of the country there will always be some secrecy around certain parts of your job. It's easy to judge when you don't have all the facts.

Tim
said

Haha. Reading throught the comments I find both sides hilarious. Should he have done it? No. But I've seen comments about how this sends 'shivers down people's spines', and claims of wide spread systematic abuse. That's too far the other way. I'm glad they reported it as it's something I want to know. Should he be crucified for it? No, not really. It's impossible to tell whether or not the story of it being an impromptu training exercise is true or not, so to condemn and villify, or to completely dismiss, this isn't the proper response. I'm sure more will come out before this is done, and it's best to reserve the "Hang 'em High!" attitudes until it's shown that there's reason to. The truth deserves to be heard and, as someone on here put it, "regardless of political stripe" condemnation/absolution should be reserved until then.

peter bailey
said

another fine example of the Conservative practice of preaching....'do what I say, not what I do'

eagleye
said

The only thing he would find on a search and rescue mission would be an INFLATED EGO and massive PENSION!

Dissapointed in MacKay
said

I used to think that Peter Mackay was one of the better Conservatives and perhaps he once was. But it's clear he has been too long in the hollowed halls of power and unable to resist the temptations that offers. His excuses are pathetic and shameful and an example of how stupid these Conservatives think we are. He reminds me of the proverbial child caught stealing from the cookie jar.

Norm Canadian
said

Shouldn't our Minister responsible for this equipment be exposed to it? Git it a rest Taliban - this Minister is only doing his job!!

X con
said

I like the guilty expression of Harper and his clan in the background image. This government has been elected on honesty and accountability claims. We can see how honest and accountable these guys are. To be continued....

jan
said

These people think that Canadians actually believe their lies and unfortunately not enough people cared in the last election to save us from their ideology and their corruption. If they say it loud enough - does it really become the truth?

Tyler
said

Remember this quote?

Corruption is not a Canadian value!

Apparently, this depends on which end of the corruption one is on. In this case, Harper was responding to former Prime Minister Paul Martin suggesting that Liberal Party values are Canadian values on April 10th, 2005.

Nice... 4 year, eh Canada? Well done

bruce
said

I think we are very lucky news media reports on these kind of heli rides keeps government in check so they think twice befor wasting our tax dollars. Cheers

Greg Mitchell
said

There is a pattern here. Create enough controversy to make the standing government look bad. There are written, clear-cut rules about everything that happens in government, regardless of the reigning party. Someone perhaps the opposition and most certainly the media are preying on the public's lack of knowledge of those rules. CF assets operate at a fixed cost for their lifespan so the numbers floated about might be accurate but hardly newsworthy. A firetruck sitting in the station is costing money but it is an insurance policy to mitigate a perceived or real emergency.

Rick in Regina
said

In response to Will-Ector's comment.
As a consumer I can decide not to spend my money at a business where I feel I'm not getting full value for my dollar.
As a taxpayer I cannot decide what govt. department shouldn't get my tax dollar because of wasteful spending.
Big difference.

Yvonne Campbell
said

Blah, blah, blah. Mr. MacKay can offer all the excuses he wants, but it's pretty plain to see that he abused the system. Someone's getting just a little too comfortable in his job, all the while forgetting that he works for the Canadian taxpayer - not the other way around!

Matt in NB
said

For all those who are saying it was a great thig for him to take time from his vacation to do this "training excersise". Keep in mind how unpressedented this is. NEVER before in history has our search and rescue vehicles been used to transport especially not for pompus elected officials. If the flight took 30 mins then it would have taken the helicopter 30 mins to get back I feel that Peter should have to pay the full hour out of his own pocket. If he did nothign wrong then why not release who owned the property and who he was there with?

All ears
said

The only waste of tax dollars that I see here, are the hours that the department of defense has to dedicate to handling unfounded media accusations. We get it CTV, you hate this government and you spend all you time digging and spinning. You don't bother showing how costs are arrived at, or how much less money would have been used by the program had Mckay not done this, you simply took the annual cost of chopper and divided it by the total hours of flying time, then assigned an amount for your story. Here's a challenge for your reporters, how much would have been saved, if this flight hadn't happened?

URU
said

There is NOTHING TO DEFEND. Tax Payers money is suppose to be going into help society and the TAX PAYERS themselves NOT TO FUND PERSONAL USE. Our Gov't IS CORRUPTED!!! Gov't short falls are due to PERSONAL SPENDING BY THE GOV'T OFFICIALS THEMSELVES. If they are defending it so hard its because they know that people are watching them using tax payers funds. Defending a crime is defending what was DONE WRONG!!!!

RGO in Montreal
said

@ Prof Pye Chartt - Why bash CTV? Is is because you don't like the truth? Regardless of political stripe, I would rather know when our elected officials are wasting OUR money on their own personal gallivanting. Mr. Mackay should do the honorable thing and pay for the helicopter joy-ride out of his own pocket, instead of giving absolutely laughable excuses.

No small potatoes here
said

Perhaps Mr. Pye Chartt would like to enlighten us as to why this "small potato" waste by this government is acceptable to him and so undeserving of any media attention? I can't help but wonder why these pro-Harper types feel that this misuse of power and and taxpayer trust is something to sweep under the Conservative carpet (it's getting pretty crowded under there), when we all know quite well that if this were happening with the Liberals in power you'd all be up in arms over it squealing like suckling pigs at slaughter time. For some reason, I just can't buy into Chartt's irresponsible mode of reasoning on this. When the party we vote for embarrasses us like this one surely must be doing to Conservative voters, sometimes it's best to either lay low and quiet, or admit that your support may have been either a bit premature or misguided to some degree. That would be the "man-up" approach at least.

toronto
said

The military said it, "this is not a common practice, this is the only time a search and rescue asset was used as a shuttle service" meaning there is something wrong here, just admit it was wrong and move on, and to Will_Ector, it is not the same, the government is a non-profit organization run by the people for the people. It would be the same if an employee in your company got a limo ride to work at the companies expense and you still had to drive, for no good reason.

Kat
said

I know a few families very well that could have taken the money used for this and put it to better use. Possibly life changing... If all the government officials used their own cars and their own money for transportation, food, lodging, etc, I think we may see a more prosperous country... then again...

FCS
said

"What is really happening here is those who voted Conservative are embarrassed at how their decision is being played out by this abusive government. If you're not, you SHOULD be" Oh goody another Liberal telling me what to think and feel, imagine that. I pretty sure the government can withstand this "scandal". At least no ones going to jail ala Jean Brault.

Nancy
said

Seriously, we elect these people and then tie their hands behind their backs!! This is not newsworythy in my opinion..

Nick
said

This story sends shivers through my bones! Waste of public funds in my opinion. What really gets me are some of the comments I see blaming the opposition or the media (CTV). That's their job you idiots. I most certainly want to know that a certain minister may be misusing our money. He is then to respond (and he did) and thus up to me to believe it not, which I don't.

Lorne in Ontario
said

Defence Minister MacKay must think we are all profoundly stupid, and thus will swallow any lie, no matter how bold. Riechsmarshall Goebbels, the Nazi Propaganda Minister, would undoubtedly be proud of him. Even military insiders couldn't take this one. They told reporters it was abuse of military equipment, pure and simple. They got the call that day and there was never any pretense of a simulated search and rescue. How absurd... Well, Canada, you get what you deserve every election. So, welcome to 4 more years of this graft and corruption, courtesy of the Conservatives, and brought to you by, well, you the voter.

Nikos
said

I wonder if CTV news will be branded as leftist because of this story. This is how neocons these days attack CBC news every time there is a story that deals with conservative MPs or Mr Harper himself.

Chris (MWO Ret'd)
said

Govt Please STOP picking on the Military especially Generals, Minister of Defense etc etc.. These are the people whom protect us and keep our country free for us to live. Get on with health care, Gas prices, education etc etc.. The military has a budget to follow. These AC have to be exercised regardless where they go and whomever they pick up. STOP the Mud slinging and get on with your jobs..I f you want to crap on people look at the CLAW BACK of the military Pension..GET ON WITH THAT..! PS I don't agree with a lot of the PCs platform however... this is Stupid.

Ben
said

I don't know, if the chopper was already going to be in the air for training purposes, what's the issue then? I don't think I like the idea of any politician picking up a phone and calling for a chopper ride to/from a vacation spot, but I am not all that opposed to the idea if the SAR chopper was meant to be training anyways. That sort of makes the cost negligible, does it not? Though maybe they should've made him get on board with a hoist so he could have gotten the full experience....

Will_Ector
said

Forget about it! Really, it's a perfect opportunity/excuse perk for the man. Let's get our own households in order first and fix our own issues before we point the fingers at others! Seriously, we all know the gov't is taxing us and the money is coming from us ahead of signing our employment contracts. What gives us the right to blame others for doing something we would do anyways? Example: Your boss sends you to buy Tim Horton's using the companies money. As a consumer, why are you using "my money" or charging me the rate you do in order to pay for your employee's coffee?

rob
said

As a currently serving member of the armed forces i recently attended an event that was taking place about one KM from where i was. I was expected to walk to this event instead there was an individual conducting training on a vehicle and i secured a ride with him to this event im feeling alittle guilty now and was wondering if i should riemburse the cost of this ride (approx 2.47$ when you factor everything in) or is there going to be a scandal please give me a real newsworthy story to read

robert adams
said

You people should stop the b*tching about CTV for merely reporting what your politicians are doing with their time. If you have a problem with what is going on, be thankful thanks to CTV you are learning about it and take your complaints to the people who are doing the complaining for goodness sakes. If this is not news-worthy, tell your polititians to find something better to occupy their time with; I happen to agree this is a non-issue. Don't kill the messenger.

Theresa
said

CTV... you seriously need to start REPORTING the news... instead you put 'access to information" requests in and create news stories made out of misnomers and half-truths!! Does Rupert Murdoch own this network too... is that why we seem to have "entertainment" lies instead of real news reported by real reporters, reporting all of the facts?

Cgy
said

I'm so sick of these ignorant, arrogant politicians and their unwavering sense of entitlement to waste tax payers money for their own personal benefit. Doesn't matter which party they belong to they are all the same bunch of corrupt crooks. Pathetic.

GT in BR
said

How about getting on with the business of government. This kind of crap does no one any good! Shame on you NDPers!

Chris, Alberta
said

LOL!! "an opportunity for the defence minister to see the helicopters' search-and-rescue abilities up close".... good grief can't all those Conservative spin-doctors come up with a better excuse than that? Hopefully taxpayer funded taxi rides for the self-entitled Conservative Party elite will be high on the list of the $90,000-a-day consultants.

Dave S
said

Harper it is time to put a stop to this kind of bologna. These are military aircraft not Mckays private taxi service.
If this keeps up i can promise you that you will have a one term majority government you have to put a atop to this right now.

Scott ON
said

hey CTV, based on your cost assessments, it seems that you think the helicopters sit in the hangar, the pilots sit at home and the maintenance isn't done until the aircraft is actually needed. I say enough with the witch hunt. Do your job and report the news in an accurate fashion, I for one and sick and tired of the quasi-journalism from the media. The people here are quick to jump at pointing out the responsibility of the government but I'm pretty sure you as a news organization have one as well. Prove me wrong and actually post this comment

Dave
said

The ability to show off the capabilities of a military asset is important for any branch, especially to the one in charge of the DND. The fact that it was last minute makes it an even more impressive operation / demonstration since they had no time to plan. Know the facts (all the facts) before you make a judgement.

Bryan
said

Not a fan of how two faced conservatives and their supports are. If this was the other way around, they'd be crying foul on this as well.

Craig from NS
said

Hey "Retired Captain in Dartmouth"; if he was out with them for the day I wouldn't have a problem with it. The issue is that the military had no advanced warning, as the call was made that day and the flight lasted 30 minutes. That is not "out with them for the day." What did he get out of that flight in 30 minutes other than a taxi service? He cut his trip short .... by 30 minutes? That is not cutting a trip short. I was actually a MacKay fan at one time. I thought he was legitimately going to be the PM some day. That was until he sold out the PC Party and then started wasting taxpayers money with the Reform Party.

darryl49
said

How about showing us the real cost of the hourly operation of our military assets. The media is adding up the costs of yearly maintenance, stand by charges, cost of assets, training etc etc making the cost per hour unrealistic just for sensational news reporting.

Elizabeth Daniel
said

Oh dear, and we wonder why the young do not vote? All they have to do is read these comments, and find out how corrupt government is.... why should they bloody well vote????

George
said

No matter if you agree or not with the use of the Search and Rescue resources in this manner it is wrong. The primary operation of the search and rescue services is to save lives and that is what each and every one of use need to remember. It should be under stood that the North Atlantic is not a very forgiving place when you have to enter its icy cold waters. This water can claim a life in the 30 minutes that the Defense Minister claimed it took the helicopter to pick him up and deliver him to Gander. The Gander Search and Rescue base over the years have been called on numerous times to respond to people lost at sea or in need of medical aid. Sometimes these rescue operations could extend over 500 mile from land or in the case of the October 30, 1991 C-130 Hercules crash near CFS Alert on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island. Yes, CFS Alert, which is over 2200 miles from Gander? If these resources are not there when you need them, I�m sure you would be singing a different tone. It�s bad enough that between 4 P.M. and 8 A.M. it could takes up to two hours to get a search and rescue helicopter in the air. So before you agree that it is alright to use a search and rescue resources for personal use think about the people who may need to use it at a minutes notice. Would you want to wait 30 minutes to 2 hours for an ambulance or fire truck if you need it, I know I would not.

Susan Fairbairn
said

Gee, our tax dollars are at work shuttling a Conservative minister home from a vacation in a military helicopter. And this is after he supposedly cancelled three previously scheduled training flights that he was to take with that particular SAR unit and after he gave permission to a top ranking CF general to use a Challenger jet. Whatever happened to using your own money to fly with Air Canada or Westjet with the rest of us.

Doug
said

So the minister in charge of military helicopters arranged for a flight back to work in a military helicopter. Wow .. What a scandal....

I told you so
said

For those of you pointing fingers at the media for bring this to the attention of Canadians, ah... it's their job to report the news accurately, and as far as this story goes, Canadians certainly deserve to know. For those of you going into the past to dig up the wasteful spending of former governments as some sort of foolish example as to why this is somehow "OK", well, that's nothing short of childish, and rather at the peak of the ridiculous scale. What is really happening here is those who voted Conservative are embarrassed at how their decision is being played out by this abusive government. If you're not, you SHOULD be!

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Another "scandal" requiring a magnifying glass to give it the desired sense of size and significance. Is this the level of journalistic scrutiny Canadian taxpayers supporting a multibillion-dollar government bureaucracy deserve? I don't think so. Thus far, all I can see is a couple small roasted potatoes on a giant plate, with no meat. (Sorry, CTV. You're soliciting comments here. Hopefully mine isn't too "honest" to post.)

Dan in Calgary
said

Isn't is interesting how many just excuse this type of behaviour.... we can only imagine how often this really occurs... thank god it wasn't a liberal or NDP or it indeed would be a big news story.

Sniffles
said

Typical attitude of politicians, their time is more important than everyone else's. Although this exhibits extremely poor judgment on MacKay's part, kudos to the DOD for turning it into a training exercise so it wasn't a COMPLETE waste of the crew's time and taxpayer's dollars!

Andrew in Ottawa
said

This is terrible investigative journalism... There's no discussion by the reporter at all about whether pilots in the area are getting the flying time they need to maintain currency. Also, this type of flight is highly beneficial for junior pilots who need to learn and demonstrate certain skills, since it is a low risk situation. They do training flights all the time, and pick nobody up. If the Minister of National Defence is in the area, and can use a ride, why not take advantage of the opportunity.

admiring Harper
said

Let`s get onto it Harper will be our greatest prime minister in Canadian history. The reason why because we must privatize everything as possible and we must produce as much oil as possible to increase corporate profits. The heck with the environment, we all eventually face extinction sometime in a natural cycle of eons. If low income people cannot be intelligent enough to promote into higher profile jobs then they should not have the right to survive properly.

Stace E.
said

BTW, in reference to a comment about this particular SAR Sqn being only for Newfoundland, it's actually there to serve the entire country and helicopters from one coast have been sent clear across the country in times of 'Search Gone Major'. I think the original comment was tongue in cheek, but just wanted to clarify that for anyone thinking there are only four provinces with Cormorant helicopter privileges.

Tim from Kingston
said

Cut his trip short to participate in SAR Training??!? Umm no. The article clearly states that HIS office called the 9 Wing Gander SARs Team to go pick him up early. They even quote the military as saying that they had no notice at all. If his trip was being cut short it was because MacKay decided it was time to come home early.

His office even freely admits that they have canceled previous plans to demonstrate the capabilities over a course of 3 year! If you are in charge of the department you would think it would be more of a priority to get the demonstration, but it isn't until you need to get out of your luxury camp early that you call SAR to the rescue!? Quite pathetic!

As for all you talking about Ad Scam, and Bob Rae... give it up already.. That was MANY MANY years ago... look at all the crazy spending that is going on by the Government that claimed that they would be the most transparent ever and they would clean house... They are worse than any before them!

All parties have been corrupt in the past and mismanaged our hard earned tax dollars but we can't change the past.. and if the current Government isn't going to work hard to change this in the present and the future then hopefully Canada will smarten up and kick them out of office on the next election!

bouchie
said

I usually love a juicy scandal... but this is disappointing. I agree with so many of these comments... including that it must be a "slow news day". Seriously... for those that think that this is a huge story... please drink another cup of coffee and give your head a shake. You want some gossip... go and read a trashy magazine. I don't think that this article is news worthy. I think that my cup of coffee and I are going to flip to another website for some current events.

Stace E.
said

I should think it's a good thing Minister McKay now has a better idea of what goes on in a SAR helicopter. Not to mention the opportunity for the crew to, not only get more training hours in but to become familiar with more of the area they serve.

Verna MacQuarrie
said

Stop picking and get on with business We have LOADS of real problems to deal with It is really beginning to be a HUGE soap opera

Adam
said

Why are people so quick to point fingers? It's because they are jealous. It seems as though the Canadian media has become an outlet to bash the very people who we have elected to run our country. No matter what they do, someone has a wrong-doing to point out. I live in the Central Nova Riding that is led by Mr. MacKay, and let me tell you, he has done more for us than you could possibly imagine. And now, after cutting his vacation short, he is being accused of taking advantage of tax payer dollars. That simply is not the case. Something obviously came up in Ottawa that was serious enough to need the attention of Canada's Defense Minister. This guy is in charge of the security and safety of Canadians, and here people are accusing him of stealing our money for his own pleasure, when realistically the Department of Defense ordered that the Minister immediately return to Ottawa. Mr. MacKay's flight lasted only 30 minutes and did not interfere with any search and rescue efforts. These helicopters are in the air 24-hours a day, so the fuel that was burnt flying Mr. MacKay to Ottawa would have been burnt during routine flying exercises anyways. The reason he was asked to return was obviously in the best interest of Canadians for whatever the issue was that they were dealing with, so all of you who are pointing fingers at him should be ashamed of yourselves. He's here to help us, not to steal tax payers money, and for all those complainers, remember that next time you cash your welfare cheque, your unemployment cheque, or claim ridiculous expenses on your tax return - You're stealing tax payers money too!

Smitty
said

Did the Minister's flight compromise the squadron's ability to respond to an emergency? Probably not, as they had other aircraft ready to go. CTV, this is strike 2. One more, and your "news" link will join the CBC's in the trash.

dpu
said

Does anyone not find it a "coincidence" that as soon as the conservatives go after the general and don't try to get him out of it that unnamed military sources are releasing information on Cabinet members activities. Probably a whole lot more where that came from

George Carter
said

Okay... this is the second reported decision coming from Mckay which makes no sense. First was lending the use of the Challenger Jet to DND general to catch up with family on vacation. Now He takes a SandR from a vacation spot to a demonstration. HARPER!!! Remove the man form his post and sit him on the backbench for the rest of the time. He has demonstrated a high degree of poor decision-making... he cannot be trusted!!!

Macob MacKay
said

"After cancelling previous efforts to demonstrate their search-and-rescue capabilities to Minister MacKay over the course of three years, the opportunity for a simulated search and rescue exercise finally presented itself in July of 2010," a statement from MacKay's office said. "As such, Minister MacKay cut his personal trip to the area short to participate in this Cormorant exercise." Would you expect the Con's not to lie to your face? They have been caught and they have made up this ruse because they truly feel that those who don't support them are just plain stupid. And you know, it really is looking like we are.

Pat
said

How many millions did Jack Layton's state funeral cost the tax payer... how many millions did the previous GG spent on holidays paid for by the tax payer?? The Defence Minister is not allowed one ride in his helicopter... shame.

Mac
said

there will be spins on both sides of the issue... my feeling so what - he made good use of the trip and they too need to fly the hours ! I remember 11 years ago the military and Search and Rescue went out on a call for a late fishing boat - the boat docked and when finally reached the Capt they were asked why didnt you respond to our calls - their flipant answer was "we heard you but were on our way back" !!! ... That Captain was never asked to reimburse the costs... AND as a final note ... the military helicopter crashed on the way back killing the pilot and co-pilot ... Otto Lang - Trudeau era - flew to Winnipeg on the Challenger alot .. including his nanny !... If Minister Mackay did this on a frequent basis I would say "hold on a minute" - but it looks like we are nit picking ..... Also Mackay had to have known this would get out ... why ... Public Disclosure -a policy brought in by the Conservatives - ... this didnt exist before and access to this information was limited - so we dont know what the Trudeau -Chretien-Martin (and Mulroney) era 'really' did with our planes !

Cliff
said

Come on CTV! Let the government get on with the business of running our country instead of trying to dig up dirt. Mr. McKay is our defense minister and works closely with the armed forces. Next thing we know you will be wanting him to re-imburse the government for his trips to Afganistan to visit the troops. Get a life.

adentre
said

Because this has been done before by other officials and other political parties doesn't mean that it is right. Come on people, to get these expensive perks just 'flies in the face' (literally) of the taxpayers of Canada. Mackay - appologize and pay back the money out of your own (tax exempt) pocket. Just another story of pigs at the trough at the expense of Canadians.

Doug in BC
said

To all of you are still blaming the Liberals for everything, please remember your guys said they would be different. You said they would be different. If it was wrong for the Liberals why aren't you demanding your guys stop it too?

spaz
said

CALM DOWN people...... how does that saying go...... something about he who is without sin cast the first stone...... can anyone name a single politician who never once took advantage of the position for personal reward ????..... thought the list would be quite short. All he had to do was say he was suffering from a salmon attack........

a real human
said

since you never post what i write i'll just say that whom ever is posting is one guy doing damage control for this "richard" and if people think this is not important then the don't understand that this is just the beginning in a long line of government waste.

rmsbl4
said

They have been trying to show their SAR capabilities for him for three years. Perfect planning for this to be done away from prying eyes. Wasn't trere a rescure demonstration mission done when Will and Kate were here.

Fred
said

So the CBC spends billions of your "hard earned tax dollars" a year and refuses to open up their books. Where is all the outrage at that? Or is it selective mock outrage ?

MikeW
said

I must say i am jealous, this would be one cool ride. Can the opposition now concentrate on our worsening economy and try and provide good ideas and work with the goverment of the day FOR THE PEOPLE OF CANADA and stop trying to stir crap Oh ya thats not what the opposition wants, it just wants power, we dont care about the people of Canada, its just power we want

A Toronto Resident
said

These people think they own the government assets and use them for their personal pleasures. Either the tax payer or the minister pay for the service. Enough is enough .

Greg - Helicopter expert
said

Folks, those costs are really whether the helicopter is flying or not since there are staff on hand all the time getting paid. The pilots need training all the time anyway and this would have been along the way regardless. There is nothing wrong with the Minister of Defence seeing the technology first hand once in 3 years. In fact, it is good for him to assess things. End of story.

Not Buying It!
said

"As such, Minister MacKay cut his personal trip to the area short to participate in this Cormorant exercise." By what, the couple of hours he had to wait until the scheduled ride home showed up? The CON arrogance flies in the face of Canadians. What is worse is that their CON base buys and defends every bit of it!

Guelph Observer
said

I assume that Mr. Harper will be true to his comments last week and ask Mr. McKay to repay the taxpayer at commercial travel rates for this boongoggle. Oh wait, Air Canada doesn't fly this route. Oh well, then I'm sure that Mr. McKay will dip into his own pocket to cough up the $32,000 that belongs to us taxpayers.

hunter
said

WAIT! a politician abused his power! Like we seen that before. It doesn't matter which party is in. They have all been guilty of this so print the story and lets move on. There are Seniors out there using food banks and barely making it while child poverty is growing in this nation. Lets get those problems addressed first.

Stan the Man
said

"However, military sources say no search-and-rescue demonstration was planned until the very day MacKay's office made the request to pick him up. "Sounds like someone wanted a ride in a cool helo.

John McDonald
said

Welcome to the Harper gravy express - no taxpayer's money will be spared in order to pamper the conservatives. They are living a life of luxury using taxpayer's money. I'm just wondering if they served caviar and champagne on the flight.

Ron
said

And we are off - a new session of Parliament. The Liberal "dirt brigade" is in high gear already. How long is it going to take the NDP to call an "inquiry"?

Larry I Ontario
said

Another one that should be immediatly fired by Mr. Harper and made to not only pay every pennie back but should be charged with mis use of public funds. Mr. Harper enough is enough you ned to stop these crooks in their tracks and deal with it.

Steve
said

He is the Defence Minister who cares 1 ride and a way to show him what it can do. I see nothing wrong here , If he was using it a lot fine but 1 ride?

Damian W.
said

Good for him, didn't know he liked salmon fishing, should send him a few salmon flies for his next trip. Hope he enjoyed his time on the river and got a salmon or two. Cheers!!

PTO5607
said

This story is going to bounce back in CTV's face like the challenger story did a few days ago when the full details started coming out. Come on now. Give us full and factual reporting. Don't just throw crap at the wall hoping some will stick to the government. If you actually have a story, we want to hear it, but not this cheap yellow journalism.

moodyB
said

i don't believe we are in a time when we can afford this sort of nonsense. if we have to be responsible then so do our members of parliament.

Lorna
said

Before the Liberals say one word about this story or the 16K that was spent, they should tell the people of Canada where the money went from the Ad scam!

Retired Captain in Dartmouth
said

Well.... this story ought to bring the usual cast of Harper Bashers out of the woood work...!! So...... an opportunity presented itself to demonstrate the role of our SAR fleet by actually bringing the Minister of Defence out with them for the day..... What a novel idea... back in the day when I was around...we hosted Prime Ministers.... Govonor Generals.... MINISTERS.... Committee members from the Standing Committee on Defence Matters... Senate Committees ...etc..... Whether it is in this case an SAR Trainer or a visit to one of the far flung stations that OUR elected representatives send our young people to defend and protect the vital interests of this country.... These demonstrations serve to remind everyone both military and civilian that OUR military is under the control of a democratically elected government.... not unlike some that we have had to deal with over the years.... Find something newsworthy... please...!

PUGFIRE
said

Quote> ""This is not a common practice . . . this is the only time a search-and-rescue asset was used as shuttle service," a source told CTV News. Unquote Sorry but when I was in Search and Rescue (413 Sqn, Summerside, 1969-1974) we used to deploy annually for several weeks to Happy Valley Goose Bay and stage helicopter taxi service, using the Labrador helicopter, from the base to the salmon fishing camp reserved for the elite. Now while I'm sure the statement was not meant to include ancient history, I simply mention this to show that certain trends have existed for a long time.

Noor R.
said

Reminds me of an old saying - "People who live in glass houses should not undress with the lights ON"

Andrew in Vancouver
said

MacKay must have heard John F. Kennedy say; "Do not ask what you can do for your country. Ask what your country can do for you." (In which case he needs his ears unplugged.)

Intelligent Liberal
said

The role of these helicopters is to search for and rescue lost Newfoundlanders. Instead, it picked up McKay, who is NOVA SCOTIAN! A possible solution to make amends for this mistake would be to take a carrier jet to Ft. McMurray, there are many lost Newfoundlanders in that area.

hollis
said

he has not been the only politation or general to get free rides to hunting lodges up north over the years.. no matter what party they were in they all did it. however i can not recall any of the rest of them using a s.a.r. chopper.

Chuck
said

Why are people so shocked that government officials abuse their power and waste taxpayer's money? This is nothing new. Interesting that a previous poster mentions putting a "spin to this story" as that is exactly what they've done here with the whole story about MacKay using "the opportunity for a simulated search and rescue exercise".

Chris in Kingston
said

CTV, you've already failed with the gotcha journalism in Robert Fife's smear campaign of the Chief of Defense Staff. Please concentrate on the real issues, it's already been proven your "cost per flying hour" estimates are completely out to lunch as the aircraft have to fly for training anyways. I see this as a perfect opportunity for the Minister to see the capabilities first hand while giving the crew a valuable training mission in a remote fishing river (a plausible rescue scenario).

barry
said

dosn't anyone get it? we are not hillbilly's. our elected officials get some perks!! our planes and helicopters have to fly all the time for training, so big deal they fly our high ranking officials once in a while, most other country's have specific planes and choppers for them, grow up media and canada

Parker Brown
said

For years the Conservatives have told us that they will cut government waste. After years in government they now must hire a management accounting form, Deloite Inc., to tell them where that government waste is that can be cut. Do they not know? They can begin by curtailing the wasteful spending of their own government members, and the boondoggles to Conservative supporters. The Conservatives books look a little better by increasing revenue through the sale of government assets, including research facilities. Otherwise, they increased spending before the 2008 debt bubble created a recession. A debt bubble that was caused by neoliberalist policies.

Big A
said

I think the defense critics' time would be better spent ensuring that we get our money's worth for the ship building process. Oh and perhaps he should have rented the flak gear when he was in Afghanistan

Jaydee
said

These people are not intelligent enough to stop and think..." how will the tax payer perceive this "Their first though is "I'm somebody important and taxpayers money is no object"... or they just don't think.

Craig from NS
said

What kind of demonstration can be shown, when asked at the last second and be done in a 30 minute time span? The flight barely got off the ground before it had to get to Peter's destination and land. Anyone who thinks this was a legitimate use of SAR assets needs to get off the drugs.

Nathan
said

Government attitude like this is really starting to irritate me. As an elected government official, you are in a position to serve us, the people, not the other way around. And where is the consistency? Government leaders have been forced to resign and step down over saying heated things that upset a minority group, but yet they are allowed to blatantly steal from the people like this? We need to trim down government and government involvement because they are not playing for the people who elected them, they are PLAYING the people who elected them.

James in Ottawa
said

MacKay is lucky the helicopter wasn't needed, otherwise this would be far worse than just bad PR for him and the Conservatives.

The Father
said

It is one thing to report and another to gossip! Shame on the Media for doing nothing else than to keep the Government busy defending biased and inaccurate items (garbage) like this! The Liberals have raided the EI worth billions... they have plain stolen millions in promotional money... have made billions of dollars (wasteful) mistakes... the Media hardly paid attention. Bob Rae has ran Ontario into the ground and media did not make hardly any mention of it. But because now there is a PC Government on, the Media, politically-corrects, bleeding-hearts, far-left, and everyone else with misplaced values get onto the band-wagon of bashing the elected Government. There are hugely more important things that the Media can spend effort on, newsworthy not dirt! Bottom line: the Country has elected the government with a solid mandate, now, give them a chance to do the job. Judge them after!

jjaycee
said

I am soooooo tired of all this petty crap!

dante vancouver
said

Let the games begin. The excuse is so lame it hurts. . Okay we get it we Canadians are a bunch of backwards idiots and cannot see thru ridiculous Official entitlements. Another "F you' we will do what we want" with taxpayer money. Seems to be pretty consistent attitude prevailing in Ottawa.

Derek
said

He is on charge of that department............. hello what do you expect! I dont see a problem. Must be a slow news day.

George V.
said

Wow, that left leaning Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife sure did some indepth background digging, in the Freedom of Information Act to come up with this political scandal that McKay used a search and rescue helicopter to take him to the vacation spot where his family were waiting for him, what about the taxi that took him to the helicopter Who paid for that? The Tory party is creating one scandal after the other , Who can trust them.

joe canada
said

Lets face it he did not do anything that any other government offical would not do. Is it right, NO!! but other parties waste our money too. If they start digging they will find dirt on them all. corruption and government go hand and hand.

This is Crazy
said

Really?!?! Is this where my hard-earned taxes are going. At a time when the Govt. are looking for cuts and savings, an "elite" minister takes a search and rescues helicopter for a joy ride?! Wow, this is insane... maybe Tony Clement has some money left over in his G8 slush fund to help pay for this.

FCS
said

If the Liberals and NDP talk in the house of commons does it make a sound ?

Peter in MB
said

What a great story, Peter MacKay cut his vacation short to volunteer for a search and rescue training exercise. I cant wait to see how the opposition �Haters� try to spin this story.

Bryan
said

New conservative slogan: "We promise to create jobs.... by spending your money on our vacations."

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Labour Minister Lisa Raitt speaks in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Monday, May 28, 2012. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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