OTTAWA (SEPTEMBER 23, 2011) - With new information surfacing about Defence Minister Peter MacKay's misuse of public funds for personal transportation, the federal government has a lot to answer for. Minister MacKay's recent use of a military search-and-rescue helicopter for transportation following a holiday carried a price-tag of nearly $32,000 for less than an hour of flying time.
"Let's be clear," says Peter Coleman, President and CEO of the National Citizens Coalition, "we are not talking about taxi receipts here - this is exactly the kind of wasteful spending this government has promised to eliminate."
The high costs of government travel have come under scrutiny lately, as the federal government struggles to emerge from a budget deficit this year of at least $32-billion. It is disappointingly clear that greater accountability is required, as it was Mr. MacKay's own office that approved his use of military aircraft as his own personal 'shuttle service'.
"Taxpayers have had to tighten their belts during these tough economic times," adds Coleman. "This type of spending is an insult to the millions of Canadians who work hard to pay their taxes every year."
The National Citizens Coalition has today called on the federal government to improve oversight of travel, transportation and expense approval procedures. A complete blueprint to rein in federal spending is available in our Agenda for Canada, which can be found at Nationalcitizens.ca.
The National Citizens Coalition was founded in 1967 and is Canada's voice for smaller government and individual rights.
Please contact:
Peter Coleman
President and CEO
National Citizens Coalition
Email: pcoleman1@rogers.blackberry.net
