After it was revealed that Governor General Mary Simon and her guests had accumulated a catering bill of nearly $ 100,000 during their March flights to and from the Middle East, Rideau Hall has issued a statement saying that Simon ” shares the public ‘s concern about spending.
In a statement to CTV News on Thursday, Rideau Hall also said he “expects more clarity” from the departments responsible for on-board catering services during diplomatic trips.
According to the statement, the Canadian Armed Forces are responsible for providing transportation during these visits and “as such are responsible for all food-related decisions on these flights.” Rideau Hall said this includes the Department of National Defense and Global Affairs Canada.
Asked by Conservative MP Michael Barrett, Simon and his 29 guests, who traveled to London, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and back to Ottawa from March 16 to 24, spent 93,117 on a paper question. , $ 89 aboard the government CC. -150 Polaris planes.
In addition, the cost of fuel for the trip was $ 248,127.02, according to government documents released as a result of Barrett’s presentation.
During the trip, Simon was the guest of honor at Expo 2020 in Dubai. He also toured Camp Canada at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and met with members of the Canadian Armed Forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
It was Simon’s second visit abroad since he was appointed Queen’s Representative to Canada in July 2021.
“The governor-general is conducting official and state visits abroad only at the request of the prime minister and in support of Canada’s international diplomatic goals,” a Rideau Hall spokesman said in a statement.
With files by Sarah Turnbull from CTVNews.ca