麻豆影视

Skip to main content

Cost of Governor General's in-flight catering bill on Middle East trip actually $80K: DND

Share

The Department of National Defence (DND) says the total cost of the Governor General鈥檚 in-flight catering bill during a March trip to the Middle East was actually $80,367.19, correcting the original figure it released to Parliament this week.

In a statement to 麻豆影视, the department said upon further review of the receipts, the cost was about $13,000 lower than reported to Parliament, and included three dinners, three breakfasts, two lunches and various snacks for 29 passengers and 17 crew.

A response to an order paper question by Conservative MP Michael Barrett, which required details about flights aboard the government鈥檚 CC-150 Polaris aircraft between Dec. 1, 2021 and April 26, 2022, showed Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and her guests had spent $93,117.89 on catering.

Catering does not include alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the aircraft.

Earlier Thursday, Rideau Hall issued a statement saying Simon "shares the public鈥檚 concern" regarding the expenses and was awaiting further clarification from relevant departments.

DND noted that the Office of the Governor General of Canada is not involved in meal decisions aboard Royal Canadian Air Force flights and that while they try to reduce costs, catering services are only available from select providers 鈥渁s defined by various airports and local authorities.鈥

鈥淲e seek to minimize the costs of catering options at all times. For example, on CC-144 Challenger flights that depart from Ottawa, the Flight Steward can prepare meals in advance that source fresh ingredients purchased from local grocery stores and, on rare occasions, local restaurants,鈥 the statement reads.

鈥淭his is typically a very economical means of providing in-flight meals, but it is limited to flights departing from Ottawa.鈥

The department also noted that the exchange rate for the Canadian dollar also influences food prices.

During the trip, Simon was a guest of honour at Expo 2020 in Dubai. She also toured Camp Canada at the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and met with members of the Canadian Armed Forces at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

The trip was Simon's second one abroad since being appointed the Queen's representative to Canada in July 2021.

"The Governor General undertakes official and state visits abroad only on request by the Prime Minister, and in support of Canada鈥檚 international diplomatic objectives," Rideau Hall said.

IN DEPTH

Opinion

opinion

opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale鈥擫angley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

Stay Connected