A last-minute decision to attend a critical peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh resulted in a staggering $736,466.11 taxpayer expense. The Prime Minister chartered a private jet for the October trip, a cost revealed in response to a formal inquiry.
Initially, the Prime Minister’s Office justified the expense by stating no Canadian Forces aircraft were available. The explanation centered on the urgent nature of the US-planned summit and conflicting demands on existing military resources. However, this narrative quickly unraveled.
Documents revealed a crew *was* ready and waiting. The 412 Transport Squadron, responsible for government air travel, had personnel prepared for the mission. The problem wasn’t manpower, but the availability of a suitable aircraft.
A Challenger jet, routinely maintained in a state of 12-hour readiness for government transport, could have completed the journey for an estimated $198,800. That’s a difference of over half a million dollars compared to the chartered Bombardier Global 5000.
The decision to attend the summit wasn’t made weeks in advance, but a mere nine and a half hours before the plane took off. At 8:30 a.m. on October 12th, the Prime Minister committed to the trip, triggering a flurry of logistical arrangements.
The chartered jet departed Ottawa at 6:45 p.m. that same day, embarking on a ten-hour flight to Egypt. The return journey, however, proved longer, requiring a refueling stop and adding an extra hour to the travel time.
The aircraft itself, a Global 5000 from Toronto-based Chartright Air Group, is equipped for luxury travel. It boasts space for twelve passengers, two lavatories, a full entertainment system, and even sleeping accommodations for seven.
The flight manifest included the Prime Minister’s inner circle: his chief-of-staff, policy advisors, a photographer, and additional PMO staff. Their journey wasn’t without comfort, featuring a menu of American breakfast, yogurt, caprese salad, and Italian chicken.
The summit brought together leaders from thirty nations and international organizations, including the French President, German Chancellor, and Italian Prime Minister. Yet, the meeting was marked by significant absences – representatives from Hamas and, initially expected, Israeli officials did not attend.
Adding another layer of complexity, the chartered aircraft is registered in a way that prevents it from being tracked by publicly available flight monitoring services, raising questions about transparency surrounding the travel arrangements.
