Governor General refuses to disclose records of
taxpayer-funded jaunts
Adrienne Clarkson fancies herself the Queen
of Canada, and claims "she is above government"... yet rather than defend the
Eternal and Sacred Law of Magna Carta, she finds reasons to spend YOUR money
like a spoiled millionaire's princess.
Governor General Adrienne Clarkson has thumbed her nose at Canadian
taxpayers by refusing to release details of her 10 trips to New York
City over the past two years, according to critics. Attempts yesterday
to obtain further details about the trips -- which Clarkson's
spokesman said was a mix of business and pleasure -- were refused,
igniting a firestorm of criticism from opposition MPs.
Sun Media reported yesterday that National Defence logs show Clarkson
and her husband John Ralston Saul flew to New York on the government
Challenger jet four times in 2002 and in 2003, and twice this year.
The tab for the flights totalled $48,564.
Of the 10 trips, one was for a cultural event and another was for a
dinner at Consular General Pamela Wallin's residence, her office said.
There are numerous listings of the Governor General's activities over
the last two years, including travel, but there is no mention of any
events in New York.
NDP MP Pat Martin said a Commons committee was given assurances by
Clarkson's staff earlier this year there would be more transparency
regarding travel spending.
At that time, the Governor General was taking heat for a $5.3-million
circumpolar trip on which she hosted 59 elite guests.
"It makes my blood boil that there's cavalier spending going on at
Rideau Hall after all we've been through," Martin said.
Conservative MP Paul Forseth said Canadians deserve to know the
details of her business trips.
"This is not her money. There is a difference between corporate world
and public service," said Forseth, a former member of the government
operations committee.
Clarkson's spokesman Randy Mylyk said no further details about the
Governor General's trips to New York are available, although he agreed
it's reasonable for Canadians to expect to have more details about her
travel.
"There will always be circumstances, even in terms of public events
where there are individuals and meetings ... that are sometimes not
made public for various reasons," he said.
By MARIA MCCLINTOCK, OTTAWA BUREAU
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/CalgarySun/News/2004/08/18/pf-588487.html
Source of above pictured stats: Canadian Taxpayer Federation.
Clarkson's polar jaunt cost $5.3M
By SUE BAILEY Sat, February 14, 2004
OTTAWA (CP) - Opposition critics demanded Friday that Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson explain why her much ridiculed state visit to Russia, Iceland and Finland last year cost $5.3 million.
Clarkson, who took along 59 members of Canada's social and cultural elite on the circumpolar junket, is just the latest example of Liberal excess, critics said.
Clarkson was not available to comment, but Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said the trip boosted Canada's international profile.
"She did take a lot of people with her," Graham told reporters in Washington. "It would be unreasonable not to realize this would be very expensive."
Graham said the government will look at ways of containing costs, perhaps by limiting entourages in future.
The three-week tour last September, billed as an exploration of the "Modern North" raised the hackles of tax watchdogs and editorial writers. The revelation on Friday that the trip blew its estimated budget capped a hellish week for the government, already battling a political forest fire over the $250-million sponsorship scandal.
"Frankly, people have just about had it," New Democrat MP Pat Martin said outside the Commons.
He sat on the Commons government operations and estimates committee that exposed spending sprees by disgraced former privacy commissioner George Radwanski.
Martin says Clarkson's $19-million office budget should be slashed by the $5.3-million cost of the northern trip.
"The party's over. . . .We want to revisit the whole role of our Governor General.
"It's a legitimate aspect of foreign affairs to raise Canada's profile and to keep our diplomatic ties in order and strengthen them," Martin said. "Is it the role of the Governor General to invite 59 of her buddies and go and charter a plane . . . and tour countries?"
Those responsible for added costs should pay them back, said Conservative MP Peter MacKay.
"This is yet another in a long litany of examples of how taxpayers' money has been spent irresponsibly. And the Governor-General is not shielded from the protection that is supposed to exist when it comes to spending other peoples' money."
Media reports last fall cited a cost estimate of $1 million for the trip, but the actual price was forecast at $4.5 million, said Randy Mylyk, a Clarkson spokesman.
The $1 million estimate was never substantiated and became "folklore," he said in an interview.
Mylyk blamed cost overruns on the difficult logistics of northern travel.
Foreign Affairs paid for the trip, which Clarkson took at the suggestion of former prime minister Jean Chretien, Mylyk said.
He produced a letter dated Sept. 28, 2001, signed by Chretien, recommending Clarkson visit Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
"Your state visit to these six countries would highlight the government's strong commitment to the north and its peoples," it reads.
The letter does not, however, suggest taking 59 guests along.
Plans for a second trip to Denmark, Sweden and Norway are underway, Mylyk said.
When asked whether the criticism might derail that, he said: "There is a debate here and I have to respect that."
By SUE BAILEY Sat, February 14, 2004
OTTAWA (CP) - Opposition critics demanded Friday that Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson explain why her much ridiculed state visit to Russia, Iceland and Finland last year cost $5.3 million.
Clarkson, who took along 59 members of Canada's social and cultural elite on the circumpolar junket, is just the latest example of Liberal excess, critics said.
Clarkson was not available to comment, but Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said the trip boosted Canada's international profile.
"She did take a lot of people with her," Graham told reporters in Washington. "It would be unreasonable not to realize this would be very expensive."
Graham said the government will look at ways of containing costs, perhaps by limiting entourages in future.
The three-week tour last September, billed as an exploration of the "Modern North" raised the hackles of tax watchdogs and editorial writers. The revelation on Friday that the trip blew its estimated budget capped a hellish week for the government, already battling a political forest fire over the $250-million sponsorship scandal.
"Frankly, people have just about had it," New Democrat MP Pat Martin said outside the Commons.
He sat on the Commons government operations and estimates committee that exposed spending sprees by disgraced former privacy commissioner George Radwanski.
Martin says Clarkson's $19-million office budget should be slashed by the $5.3-million cost of the northern trip.
"The party's over. . . .We want to revisit the whole role of our Governor General.
"It's a legitimate aspect of foreign affairs to raise Canada's profile and to keep our diplomatic ties in order and strengthen them," Martin said. "Is it the role of the Governor General to invite 59 of her buddies and go and charter a plane . . . and tour countries?"
Those responsible for added costs should pay them back, said Conservative MP Peter MacKay.
"This is yet another in a long litany of examples of how taxpayers' money has been spent irresponsibly. And the Governor-General is not shielded from the protection that is supposed to exist when it comes to spending other peoples' money."
Media reports last fall cited a cost estimate of $1 million for the trip, but the actual price was forecast at $4.5 million, said Randy Mylyk, a Clarkson spokesman.
The $1 million estimate was never substantiated and became "folklore," he said in an interview.
Mylyk blamed cost overruns on the difficult logistics of northern travel.
Foreign Affairs paid for the trip, which Clarkson took at the suggestion of former prime minister Jean Chretien, Mylyk said.
He produced a letter dated Sept. 28, 2001, signed by Chretien, recommending Clarkson visit Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
"Your state visit to these six countries would highlight the government's strong commitment to the north and its peoples," it reads.
The letter does not, however, suggest taking 59 guests along.
Plans for a second trip to Denmark, Sweden and Norway are underway, Mylyk said.
When asked whether the criticism might derail that, he said: "There is a debate here and I have to respect that."
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/02/13/346816-cp.html
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