MacKay under fire for SAR helicopter use
Posted Sep 23, 2011 04:05:22 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – There are new revelations today about Defence Minister Peter MacKay’s controversial use of a search and rescue helicopter.
We learned this week that in July 2010 MacKay was picked up from his fishing trip in Gander, Newfoundland by a cormorant helicopter, which brought him to an air field for a flight he had to take.
The opposition claims he used a military helicopter as a taxi, but his office says it was for a rescue demonstration.
Now we’re hearing the military originally tried to deny his requested pick up.
Sources have told the Liberals at first they said no to the vacation pick up, but then the minister’s office contacted top military brass who then ordered it to happen.
If that’s not the case the grits are asking for proof.
“If you have evidence to show this was a predetermined demonstration then show it to us. He’s failed to fo that,” Liberal MP Wayne Easter told 1310News.
MacKay stuck to the script in Question Period saying this was a trip for a demonstration.
“This government has…reduced the use of government aircraft by over 80%,” MacKay said.
At times House Leader Peter Van Loan stepped in to answer, “our use of government aircraft by our ministers is always in compliance with policy.”
The NDP wants a sweeping review of government use of military vehicles.
This development comes just a day after reports MacKay had also used a Challenger jet to fly from London, Ontario to Halifax, Nova Scotia for a lobster festival.
The cost to fly that jet for the trip is around $25,000 while the hourly cost of the Cormorant helicopter is $36,000.
