Winter holidays cost taxpayers CAD$162,000

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau is facing public backlash over the cost of his much publicized Jamaican family vacation, which it is said to have cost taxpayers at least CAD$162,000.

Global News in Canada is reporting that Trudeau and his family stayed in the Jamaican North Coast villa of a long-time family friend, who made a large donation two years ago to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. The foundation is named in honour of Trudeau’s late father, former Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau.

Prime Minister Trudeau’s week-long family vacation in Jamaica over the winter holidays is drawing criticism from New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader, Jagmeet Singh, who argued that it shows he does not “understand the realities of everyday Canadians.” 

Vacation details tabled in parliament

The details of Trudeau’s trip were released in documents tabled in the House of Commons last month in response to questions from MPs, but are under renewed scrutiny following a report by CBC/Radio-Canada yesterday. 

The media entity reported the Trudeau family stayed at a luxurious estate.

According to Singh, “What this vacation shows is another example of a Prime Minister, who doesn’t understand the realities of everyday Canadians, hasn’t lived those struggles, and is unwilling to use every power, every tool at his disposal to fix those problems.”

Global News reports that the Prime Minister’s Office did not answer whether the trip was at the estate of Peter Green, as reported by CBC/Radio-Canada yesterday. “As per standard practice, we consulted with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to ensure that the rules are followed,” said a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.

The spokesman went on to say, “The Prime Minister reimbursed the equivalent of a commercial airline ticket for his personal travel and that of his family.” 

Clash in parliament

Trudeau and Conservative Leader, Pierre Poilievre clashed over the issue during the question period yesterday afternoon. Poilievre said Trudeau was “out of touch” with Canadians who are “out of money” amid high inflation. He accused the prime minister of knowing “these powerful interests are buying influence.”

Trudeau lashed back at Poilievre, saying his family and the family he stayed with have been friends for 50 years, that Poilievre “struggles with the concept of friendship” and that the trip was “cleared” by the ethics commissioner in advance. The prime minister was in Jamaica with his family from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4, his itinerary from the time shows.

The expenses from the trip include $115,526 for Trudeau and his family’s security. Additional costs are expected to still be processed, as the trip occurred recently.

Furthermore, four Royal Canadian Air Force flight crew travelled with Trudeau. All prime ministers are required to fly on a Royal Canadian Air Force plane for security reasons, even if it’s for personal travel. 

That bill came in at $29,951.92 in accommodations, $3,685.05 in per diems and $40.20 in other expenses including fees on currency exchanges and ground transportation. Meal allowances were forfeited for the majority of the trip as most meals were provided by the hotel, the documents state.