Critics blast PM for using government jet to attend game four Stanley Cup final in Boston
Posted Jun 9, 2011 09:37:27 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After tying up the series in Boston last night, Bruins fans are celebrating a 4-0 victory over the Canucks.
But Prime Minister Stephen Harper is coming under fire for using the government jet to catch the on-ice action along with his daughter Rachel and a few bodyguards.
Harper spokesman Dimitri Soudas said the Prime Minister paid for the Game 4 tickets and has paid the equivalent of the cost of tickets to fly to Boston by commercial plane.
Soudas said Harper isn’t allowed to fly on a commercial plane.
However, it costs about $11,000 per hour to fly the government jet and critics are saying this action goes against the calls Harper made Monday for fiscal restraint in the federal budget.
And taxpayers here in Ottawa are not thrilled to be picking up the tab.
“I don’t like it at all because we pay the taxes and we are working, you know, hard and the taxes are going there and it’s like more taxes […] and more taxes,” said Craig. “And if those guys abuse it like that, well, it’s our money, not his.”
“We’re used to it, yeah,” said Bill. “We’re always footing the bill for something.”
“I think he should have asked the people permission to do that, to tell you the truth,” said Henry. “Maybe he could give us a refund to cover that.”
Many people also told 1310News they didn’t realize the Prime Minister couldn’t fly commercially and several people said Harper should have skipped the trip altogether.
But some, like Mary, were glad he went.
“It’s like the Olympics, he should be there to represent Canada.”
The Vancouver Canucks face the Boston Bruins for Game 5 on home ice Friday.
