DND Expenditure on Governor General's Transport Rises 21% in Latest Fiscal Year
Newly released documents from the Department of National Defence (DND) indicate a significant increase in spending for transporting Canada's Governor General. In the 2024/25 fiscal year, DND allocated $2,988,219 for military air transportation related to vice-regal duties, marking a 21% rise from the $2,468,760 spent in FY 2023/24.
Criticism from Taxpayer Advocacy Groups
Franco Terrazzano, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, who uncovered the data, expressed strong disapproval. "Taxpayers caught the Governor General billing us thousands on absurdly extravagant and expensive trips that she should never have taken in the first place," Terrazzano stated. He further accused Rideau Hall of increasing travel costs after public and parliamentary scrutiny had subsided, following previous scandals that called for spending restraint.
Historical Context of Controversial Travel
This spending hike comes amid a backdrop of past controversies involving Governor General Mary Simon's travel expenses. Notable examples include:
- A March 2022 official visit to the Middle East that cost approximately $1.3 million, featuring a $100,000 in-flight catering bill with luxury meals and high-priced beverages.
- A four-day trip to Iceland in 2022 totaling $300,000, which included $71,000 in limousine fees despite many events being within walking distance of her hotel.
These incidents had previously drawn attention from both the public and parliamentary committees, leading to discussions on fiscal responsibility.
Analysis of Spending Trends Over Seven Years
According to DND data spanning seven years, military costs for transporting the governor general peaked in FY 2018/19 at $6,530,248 under former Governor General Julie Payette. This included:
- $1.1 million for salaries of full-time military personnel.
- $4.6 million on operating military aircraft.
- Significant amounts on commercial flights, rental cars, and miscellaneous expenses.
Since FY 2019/20, a shift from older CC-150 Polaris planes to more efficient CC-144 Challenger jets has reduced aircraft expenses, though personnel and other costs have fluctuated. In FY 2024/25, the $2.98 million total comprised $1.5 million in personnel costs, $1.4 million in aircraft costs, and over $98,000 in transportation and miscellaneous expenses.
Defense from Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall spokesperson Marilyne Guèvremont defended the expenditures, emphasizing the Governor General's role in supporting diplomatic and economic interests. "In a country as large and diverse as ours, being present matters," she said. Guèvremont highlighted that travel helps strengthen national unity, recognize excellence, and advance reconciliation, particularly through visits to remote and Indigenous communities.
Questions on Spending Priorities
Terrazzano raised concerns about DND's allocation of resources, pointing to an October auditor general report that documented poor living conditions for Canadian Armed Forces personnel, including issues with clean water and infrastructure. "It's a good bet that most Canadians would rather the government spend money making sure the people protecting our country have clean water and proper equipment rather than wasting millions forcing National Defence to escort the Governor General around the world," he argued.
Over the past seven years, DND has spent a total of $26.2 million on vice-regal travel, according to the documents. This ongoing expenditure continues to fuel debates over government spending and accountability in Canada's political landscape.
