Canadian Defense Minister In Hot Water Over Private Use Of A Search And Rescue Helicopter

The minister has come under fire for his use of military aircraft while he was vacationing in Newfoundland in 2010. The Canadian Press file photos

Air force Warned About Backlash Over MacKay’s Chopper Flight -- Toronto Star

OTTAWA—A senior air force officer warned against using a search-and-rescue helicopter to pick up Defence Minister Peter MacKay from a fishing trip last year because of the backlash that would occur if the public found out, according to emails obtained by the Toronto Star.

The estimated cost for the flight aboard the Gander-based Cormorant helicopter was $16,000. A cheaper alternative route from the fishing camp to the Gander, Nfld., airport would have involved a 90-minute boat ride followed by a 30-minute drive, according to defence department messages obtained through the Access to Information Act.

Read more ....

More News On Defence Minister Peter MacKay's Personal Use Of Military Aircraft

E-mails contradict MacKay’s explanation for chopper request -- Globe and Mail
Minister accused of misleading Commons over helicopter pickup on fishing trip -- Winnipeg Free Press/Canadian Press
Peter MacKay Used Cormorant SAR Helicopter for Private Use New Documents Indicate -- Ottawa Citizen
Emails contradict defence minister’s story on fishing trip helicopter airlift -- National Post
MacKay Warned By Royal Canadian Air Force Not To Use Cormorant For Fishing Trip -- Ottawa Citizen
MacKay helicopter airlift 'under guise' of training -- CBC
Emails contradict MacKay on N.L. chopper flight -- CTV News
Emails punch holes in MacKay’s excuse for fishy holiday flight -- Vancouver Sun
The Story of Peter MacKay and His Helicopter -- The Mark

My Comment: I live in Canada and I am fortunate enough to know a number of people in government .... but because of my friendships I have tended to avoid discussing issues that pertain to Canada in this blog. But this case is different .... Canadian Defense Minister Peter Mackay has screwed up .... and he is trouble. Will he survive .... we shall see.