Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration faced criticism during a parliamentary session on Wednesday after it was revealed that his sudden trip to Egypt for the Gaza peace summit in October cost Canadian taxpayers over $736,466. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spearheaded the criticism, highlighting the extravagant cost of the trip in contrast to the financial struggles faced by Canadians due to rising living expenses.
Poilievre denounced Carney for taking an $800,000 chartered flight to Egypt for what he described as a mere photo opportunity, labeling Carney as the “Grinch of the grocery store.” He questioned why Canadians had to rely on food banks while the prime minister indulged in lavish international travel.
Although Carney was absent from the House of Commons during the question period, government House leader Steven MacKinnon and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand defended the trip on his behalf. MacKinnon expressed pride in Carney’s participation in the meeting, while Anand emphasized Carney’s contribution to efforts aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict.
The scrutiny arose following the government’s response to an inquiry about the expenses related to Carney’s flight, revealing that chartering a private jet for the trip cost more than three times the amount it would have cost if the Royal Canadian Air Force had provided transport. The government chartered a Bombardier Global 5000 jet, while estimates from the Department of National Defence indicated that using a government-owned Challenger aircraft would have cost $198,800.
Notably, the use of the Bombardier Global 5000 jet for the trip highlighted its features such as speed, range, and comfort. The total expenses for the trip may exceed the initially reported $736,466, as the breakdown of costs associated with the flight was not provided by the Privy Council Office in its response to the inquiry.
The summit in Egypt, convened by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed to facilitate discussions among world leaders, including Carney, regarding post-war plans for Gaza. The event culminated in the signing of a document intended to formally end the conflict in Gaza.
Despite the scrutiny surrounding the trip, a senior official in Carney’s office emphasized the importance of his attendance at the summit, citing the opportunity for candid discussions among leaders on addressing the Gaza situation. The official highlighted Carney’s advocacy for increased aid to Gaza and Canada’s readiness to provide assistance.
Acknowledging the significance of Canada’s role on the international stage, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May expressed support for Canada’s participation in the summit. She noted the absence of access to a government plane for Carney but viewed the chartered jet cost as a reasonable investment for Canada’s global engagement.