HomeA taxpayer-funded helipad for PM's cottage?
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A taxpayer-funded helipad for PM's cottage?
by Colter Fri 04 Jan 2019, 2:22 pm
Brian Lilley - Published on: January 3, 2019
It’s the type of thing you would expect for an American president, maybe even a Wall Street executive heading out to his summer home in the Hamptons, but a Canadian prime minister?
Not really.
It appears Justin Trudeau wants to be flown from Ottawa to his official cottage in the Gatineau Hills via helicopter.
Documents obtained under Access to Information laws show that in the summer of 2017, there were serious discussions about installing a helipad at Harrington Lake, the official cottage of Canada’s prime ministers.
E-mails show that officials, including those from the National Capital Commission and the Treasury Board — the department that controls government spending — were discussing the proposal.
Most of the 68 pages involved in the discussions have been redacted: they don’t even simply black out information anymore, they just remove the pages.
But given the specific question asked and the reasons for not releasing all the information, it is clear that this was an actual proposal under discussion.
The request to the National Capital Commission, the organization that takes care of Harrington Lake, 24 Sussex Drive and all other official residences in Ottawa, was clear.
”Provide copies of all documents regarding any plans or proposals to provide air access to the Harrington Lake property (eg. construction of a helipad), since Nov. 4, 2015,” the request said.
If this had never been under consideration, the NCC would have simply said there were no records found. Instead, they released a document showing 68 pages of discussion of the idea but only three pages are visible.
The rest of the pages have been removed for a host of exemptions that only confirm the PM wanted a helipad and government officials were discussing how to get you to pay for it.
Canada’s Access to Information law requires government departments to explain why they will not release certain information. In their reply to the request, the NCC cited Section 16 (2) of the law which is all about security, including “on the vulnerability of particular buildings or other structures.”
Also cited was Section 21 (1) (a) which says information can be removed if it is “advice or recommendations developed by or for a government institution or a minister of the Crown.”
Sections 21 (1) (b) and (c) — about “consultations or deliberations” and “positions or plans” — were also cited.
This raises a host of questions beyond Trudeau’s opulent spending of your money to make him feel comfy.
Where would the PM fly from?
There is no helipad on Parliament Hill, no helipad at 24 Sussex Drive or Rideau Gate — where his family lives now.
Would he drive out to the Macdonald-Cartier Airport in Ottawa’s south end, a 30-minute drive from his official residence when the cottage is only 25 minutes away by car?
And why do you need a helicopter when your cottage is only a 25-minute drive from your home? How many Canadians would like their workplace to be only a 25-minute drive away, nevermind their taxpayer-funded cottage.
Does Trudeau want the same treatment as an American president?
We have all watched American presidents take off on Marine One for Camp David or other locales for decades.
A major difference between us and the Americans, though, is that they have a number of military helicopters dedicated to the President, we have none dedicated to the PM.
Will the Canadian Forces now be required to provide one?
I put these questions to Trudeau’s office.
Eleanore Catenaro, Trudeau’s press secretary said that the PM never asked for a helipad and that “no formal proposals” had been seen by his office.
“It is routine for security officials, the NCC, and other departments to examine and consider the transportation logistics of any Prime Minister,” Catenaro said.
Well, this idea originated somewhere and it fits with Trudeau’s pattern of spending your money to improve his lifestyle.
Trudeau has spent a lot of your money, and a little of his, improving the cottage at Harrington Lake.
From a sauna — Trudeau paid for it but taxpayers covered the cost for the connection to an electrical service — to kayaks, canoes, a pontoon boat and a ski boat, Trudeau is making sure that he is well looked after on your dime.
Yet, all of these expenses would pale in comparison to putting in a helipad and then finding a helicopter to save the PM a 25-minute drive to his cottage.
It must be nice to live in Justin Trudeau’s taxpayer-funded world.
Colter- News Coordinator
- Posts : 268
Join date : 2017-11-13
Re: A taxpayer-funded helipad for PM's cottage?
by JAFO Fri 04 Jan 2019, 3:11 pm
Well isn't the timing great on this idea. The CF just retired the Sea King so his Royal Highness can have is pick to fly him instead of having to drive.
JAFO- Registered User
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Join date : 2017-10-10
Location : Ontario
Re: A taxpayer-funded helipad for PM's cottage?
by Trooper Fri 04 Jan 2019, 6:42 pm
God save us all if this TOOL gets re-elected!!!
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