Strombo v. Peter MacKay

By Aaron Wherry - Friday, January 27, 2012 at 9:00 AM - 0 Comments

George S. talks to the Defence Minister. Around the eight-minute mark he talks about the helicopter ride and around the 13-minute mark he vaguely endorses an NDP-Liberal merger.

A couple things about that explanation for the helicopter ride. Continue…

Stressed out

By Aaron Wherry - Friday, January 20, 2012 at 5:46 PM - 0 Comments

Earlier today the Canadian Press reported that the Defence Department was looking to purchase 20,000 stress balls. In other news, the Defence Department is no longer looking to purchase 20,000 stress balls.

“As soon as Minister MacKay was made aware of this contract, he instructed officials to immediately cancel this unnecessary expense of taxpayer money,” the minister’s spokesman, Jay Paxton, said in an email.

Canada’s hottest power couple

By Cathy Gulli and Charlie Gillis - Monday, January 16, 2012 at 10:40 AM - 0 Comments

The day began with a romantic walk on the beach. Nazanin Afshin-Jam and Peter MacKay ambled along white sand as waves crashed against dark rocks and pelicans dove around them. Eventually, they parted—it was, after all, their wedding day, Jan. 4, and in keeping with some level of tradition, they would get ready separately. The few dozen relatives and friends who had arrived in the last few days were now gathered inside the white chapel at the One & Only Palmilla resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. Afshin-Jam, an Iranian-Canadian human rights activist, model and singer, wrapped her arm around her father’s and they proceeded up the stone steps and down the aisle, where MacKay, Canada’s defence minister and, until that point, the country’s most eligible bachelor, awaited his bride. “I’ll never forget that moment,” Afshin-Jam, 32, recalls. “Peter looked so handsome. I saw a [glint] in his eyes.”

There were plenty of sentimental touches: on the altar, amid candles, were photos of their grandparents, all of whom have died, including Afshin-Jam’s maternal grandmother, who passed away recently; shoes she’d bought to wear to the wedding were tucked inside a pew. Their young nieces wore feathery angel wings. MacKay’s long-time pastor Glen Matheson from Nova Scotia performed the ceremony. “It was magical. There’s no other way to describe it,” says Matheson. “I’ve conducted more than 1,000 marriages in my career, but nothing compares.” The couple rode in a gold carriage, enjoyed an intimate oceanside reception under moonlight, and shared a first dance so personal they won’t reveal the song.

So secret were the details of this wedding, in fact, that the media and public only learned of it afterwards, when MacKay announced he had married “the most important person” in his life—never mind that his proposal to Afshin-Jam was not widely known. And what about that photo of the beaming newlyweds emerging from the chapel with white flower petals falling around them? It too was carefully released by MacKay days after the wedding, perhaps in an effort to quiet the frantic attempts online to piece together some information about—to make some sense of—this surprising turn of events.

Continue…

Back to work

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, January 9, 2012 at 8:03 AM - 0 Comments

Helena Guergis filed suit. Peter MacKay got married. Stephen Woodworth tried to start a debate about abortion. The Prime Minister appointed seven senators. And Sarah Polley endorsed Peggy Nash.

But let’s start 2012 with Michelle Rempel. Peter O’Neil profiled the tiny, perfect Conservative as a rising star on December 30, but followed that with a pensive blog post the next day.

My story on Calgary MP Michelle Rempel is as much an indictment of Canadian politics as it is a shot in the arm for the rookie Tory. What has caught everyone’s eye is how she calmly, confidently, and assertively handles opposition questions in the House of Commons. She doesn’t appear wooden or nervous, she doesn’t hold a sheet of paper before her eyes and read scripted answers from the prime minister’s office, and she doesn’t get rattled.

Don’t get me wrong. Rempel would be seen as an MP with potential in any era.  And there are some excellent speakers on both sides of the House of Commons. But shouldn’t all politicians, who are paid handsomely … be able to speak publicly? And if they can’t shouldn’t they learn?

For the sake of perspective, Peter digs up a profile he wrote of Stanley Knowles in 1988. And to that I’ll add my interview with Bob Rae from November.

Peter MacKay in Munich: Let’s not be pound foolish

By Paul Wells - Monday, December 19, 2011 at 11:20 AM - 0 Comments

Here’s the speech Peter MacKay gave at the Munich Security Conference in 2010. I’m not a huge fan of the Defence Minister’s speeches, but this one is sturdy enough. Here‘s who was in the audience: people who run much of the world, aren’t used to thinking about Canada, and will not particularly notice if a Canadian government minister fails to show up at the next conference. The kind of audience Canadian government officials need to speak to, in other words.  Continue…

The Commons: Post script

By Aaron Wherry - Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 6:26 PM - 0 Comments

The Scene. Nycole Turmel aimed for summation. The Conservatives have a lot of explaining to do this holiday season, she said, proceeding to list a few particular concerns.

After she’d finished, the Prime Minister stood and ignored her entirely. ”Mr. Speaker,” he said, “especially at this time of year, we all appreciate the chance to be Canadian.”

And why are we all so particularly appreciative this year?

“One reason is that our government and our country have a very good record in job creation and economic growth compared to other major developed countries,” Mr. Harper explained. “That’s the target of this government and we intend to continue to target the economy, growth and job creation.”

Later, one of Mr. Harper’s lieutenants would describe the government’s omnibus crime bill as a “gift” to all Canadians. (You were probably hoping for an iPad, but imagine all the fun your kids will have on Christmas day when they’re sentencing each other to mandatory minimums.) Continue…

Taking part in a demonstration of fine European hospitality

By Aaron Wherry - Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:35 PM - 0 Comments

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation wants the Defence Minister to explain his choice of accommodations in Europe.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay charged taxpayers $2,904 for a two-night stay at the luxurious Bayerischer Hof when he went to a security conference in Munich, Germany in February of 2010. MacKay arrived in Munich after attending an informal meeting of NATO defence ministers in Turkey, where he billed taxpayers $2,310 for a three-night stay at Istanbul’s Ceylon Intercontinental Hotel. At $1,452 and $770 a night respectively, these room tabs go far beyond what most taxpayers would consider reasonable.

In Munich, MacKay’s staff stayed at the Munich Park Hilton, an eight-minute cab ride away, for $239 a night. In Istanbul, MacKay’s staff stayed in the same hotel, but paid  $276 per night.

Goodbye to the NDS?

By Aaron Wherry - Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 10:18 AM - 0 Comments

An interesting exchange—and perhaps even a straight answer—from Question Period yesterday.

Hélène Laverdière. Mr. Speaker, I have a simple question for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Can the minister confirm that none of the Afghan detainees transferred by Canada are still in the hands of the national directorate of security—the NDS—an organization known for abusing detainees?

Peter MacKay. Mr. Speaker, I can confirm that is the case.

Like he said in the first place

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, December 12, 2011 at 4:38 PM - 0 Comments

Asked this afternoon about his helicopter ride, the Defence Minister reverted to his original explanation—the one the government had seemingly abandoned.

Mr. Speaker, as I have said in this House many times, I left time off to go back to work. Before leaving Gander, I took part in a search and rescue demonstration that has been confirmed by retired Cormorant Squadron Leader and Pilot, Major Stephen Reid, who stated that the participation in this training exercise they viewed as a win-win situation. As I said, I took part in this demonstration and then as requested I went on to complete further government business.

Later, Stephane Dion rose and challenged Mr. MacKay to step out into the foyer and take questions from reporters. The Defence Minister declared that “in almost 15 years in this place, I have never walked out the back door of this chamber.” After Question Period, Mr. MacKay did walk out into the foyer, taking a few steps before turning and walking up the stairs as a reporter shouted questions at him.

‘Very routine’

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, December 12, 2011 at 9:30 AM - 0 Comments

On Thursday, the NDP pressed Julian Fantino with specific questions about Peter MacKay’s helicopter ride. Mr. Fantino wandered off script just long enough to say that the Defence Minister’s ride was “a very routine endeavour.”

On Friday, the New Democrats sent Ryan Cleary after this point.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in this House, the Associate Minister of National Defence described a flight on a search and rescue helicopter fromva fishing camp as “a very routine endeavour indeed.” “Routine” is taking a taxi to an airport. “Routine” is taking a taxi to work. I would like to ask the associate minister exactly what he means by “routine”. How frequently does the minister use a search and rescue helicopter to get back from vacation?

Standing in for Mr. Fantino, who was standing in for Mr. MacKay, Chris Alexander ignored this question as best he could.

This is the week that was

By Aaron Wherry - Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 4:59 PM - 0 Comments

The NDP leadership contenders made their first impressions. Bruce Hyer napped. Robert Chisholm defended his unilingualism. Paul Dewar proposed a new kind of vote subsidy. Thomas Mulcair pitched cap-and-trade.

Chuck Strahl complicated John Duncan’s timeline. The citizens of Attawapiskat turned away the auditor, who’s costing them $1,300 per day. Peter MacKay had a history with helicopter rides. The Liberals double-checked. A retired major came to the minister’s defence. And the minister threatened to sue. Peter Goldring became an independent. MPs failed in their duty. And Jim Hillyer celebrated (and then kind of tried to sort of apologize). Continue…

Back to work

By Aaron Wherry - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 6:02 PM - 0 Comments

The Defence Minister is apparently considering legal action.

Mr. MacKay’s office says statements like that show the minister was telling the truth when he said he was taking advantage of an opportunity to participate in an exercise. “Minister MacKay has had his character and personal reputation attacked,” spokesman Jay Paxton said. “Minister MacKay is looking into legal options against those who have attacked his integrity.”

However much today’s claim bolsters Mr. MacKay’s case, the government side didn’t bother to reference it when the opposition pressed the matter this afternoon. Thrice, Julian Fantino, covering for the absent minister, stood and explained that “the minister was called back from personal vacation to go to work,” without any mention of search-and-rescue training.

John Geddes looked at what apparently inspired to Mr. MacKay to cut short his vacation yesterday and the NDP’s Matthew Kellway pursued various questions on that front today.

As for his decision to hop in the basket to get to London for a press conference on a new military contract, I have a few questions. When exactly was this contract signed, when was the minister told and when did he decide to travel to London?

In response, Mr. Fantino said only what the script, as noted above, allowed.

Win-win

By Aaron Wherry - Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 11:13 AM - 0 Comments

A retired major claims the Defence Minister’s helicopter ride was part of a training exercise.

“This was a training flight that we were going to participate in,” Reid said in an interview. “If the minister was able to slide his way in, in some fashion, that was fine with us … “The flight would have been flown regardless of whether or not the minister was included because the squadron conducts two training events per day as part of a regular routine,” he said. “In this case, a new flight engineer required hoist training, therefore the training intentions were well matched.”

Too bad the government has already abandoned any reference to search-and-rescue operations in its explanation.

The Commons: A fish story, in verse

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 5:55 PM - 0 Comments

The Scene. “Is that all you’ve got?” moaned James Moore, as he is wont to do.

“Is that all you’ve got?” he cried again a second later, in case Alexandre Boulerice hadn’t heard him the first time.

The Heritage Minister did not clarify what precisely he found lacking in news that, as The Globe and Mail put it this morning, “the RCMP is probing allegations that members of the Quebec construction industry tried to use Conservative contacts all the way up to the Prime Minister’s Office in a bid to influence the choice of a new president of the Montreal Port Authority.” But if Mr. Moore didn’t think that much was worth a query or several, he was no doubt mollified as the range of the opposition’s concerns this day became clear: everything from ethical lapses to alleged failures by this government in regards to conditions on native reserves, firearms licensing, international climate talks, asbestos exports, employment insurance, food safety and poverty.

Foremost among concerns this afternoon was Peter MacKay’s fish story. Continue…

MacKay had places to go

By John Geddes - Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 5:30 PM - 0 Comments

Defence Minister Peter MacKay has apparently dropped his old story about participating in a search-and-rescue demonstration, and is now going strictly with the new one about how he needed a helicopter to get back to ministerial business that was, one presumes, quite pressing.

So exactly what was the work that MacKay needed to attend to so urgently that he whistled up a special military airlift to transport him from the Burnt Rattle lodge on Newfoundland and Labrador’s picturesque Gander River, where he was enjoying bit of fishing two summers ago?

Continue…

Demonstration? What demonstration?

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 4:31 PM - 0 Comments

Long after he’d had his three turns, Bob Rae rose near the end of QP to double-check with the government.

Bob Rae. Mr. Speaker, the government’s answers with respect to the use of the plane by the Minister of National Defence keep changing. The September answers were that he was on a previously planned search and rescue operation. In the answers that we have heard from the minister and the Prime Minister today, and in the answers yesterday, the words “search and rescue operation” appear nowhere. My question to the Prime Minister is simply this: Was the Minister of National Defence, or was he not, on a search and rescue operation on his trip in Newfoundland? Yes or no. What kind of a trip was he on?

Peter MacKay. Mr. Speaker, I have answered this question a number of times. I left time off to go back to work.

The Liberal side took this as a no.

The Commons: ‘It is the cover-up that buries one’

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, December 5, 2011 at 6:35 PM - 0 Comments

The Scene. James Moore, today’s substitute prime minister, had enough to say about the government’s maybe withdrawing from Kyoto that it was not until his third response to NDP leader Nycole Turmel that he needed to start whining about the actions of a Liberal government that last held office nearly six years ago. Conversely, in response to a question from Bob Rae about the travel habits of Peter MacKay, Moore had but three sentences to offer before he had to start ranting about how terrible the Liberals had been.

So it could be worse. To this rallying cry, the government holds steadfast.

The explanation for Mr. MacKay is altogether more straightforward and thus more complicated. Continue…

The minister enjoys a good helicopter ride

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, December 5, 2011 at 3:54 PM - 0 Comments

The Globe further complicates Peter MacKay’s complicated explanation for his helicopter ride in July 2010.

Earlier this fall, when the contentious 2010 flight first came to light, the Defence Minister’s office defended the 30-minute trip from the vacation spot to the Gander airport as an infrequent opportunity to watch the rescuers in action. “After cancelling previous efforts to demonstrate their search-and-rescue capabilities to Minister MacKay over the course of three years, the opportunity for a simulated search and rescue exercise finally presented itself in July of 2010,” Mr. MacKay’s office said in September.

But the Defence Minister got a chance in 2009 to see the SAR crew in action when they took him on a ride that lasted about one hour. The Globe has learned it took place at the same time of year.

Of course, as I noted on Friday, the search-and-rescue reasoning has been dropped from the public explanation for the minister’s trip.

Bev Oda’s goat, and Dion’s new role in Scotland

By Mitchel Raphael - Monday, December 5, 2011 at 9:40 AM - 0 Comments

Photograph by Mitchel Raphael

The goat Bev Oda left behind

Attendees at World Vision Canada’s reception at the Fairmont Château Laurier included Liberal MP Mark Eyking and his wife, Pam Eyking, who have sponsored an 11-year-old boy named Claude, in Rwanda, through the organization for 10 years. They’ve sent him many things over that time, including a shirt six years ago that he still wears. Another long-wearing item of clothing was the brown Ultrasuede jacket from the ’80s that Mark Eyking wore to the reception. The MP is one of seven brothers and jokes they had one suit they kept passing around. Bev Oda, minister of international co-operation, spoke passionately about World Vision’s work. She recalled a visit to Tanzania where she was given a goat as a thank-you present. She told her staffer to get going on the paperwork needed to get the goat home to Canada—letting the staffer sweat it out for 30 minutes before saying she was kidding. The goat stayed in Tanzania.

Abercrombie and Iran

When Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak was in Ottawa, he had meetings with Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. The ministers discussed the hot topic of Iran, while Israeli security personnel asked Hill interns if there was an Abercrombie & Fitch in Ottawa. There is not.

Continue…

If you don’t expect much

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, December 5, 2011 at 9:35 AM - 0 Comments

Greg Weston figures cynicism will save Peter MacKay.

One thing the Conservatives do particularly well is read the public mood. And evidently what they are reading is an electorate so disenchanted and disconnected from national politics that dishonesty is considered just business as usual in the nation’s capital. As long as a government believes the public doesn’t care about politicians who lie, don’t expect those who do to be punished.

This is the week that was

By Aaron Wherry - Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 6:41 PM - 0 Comments

We tried to save the House of Commons.

Brian Topp pitched higher taxes (and considered equality). Nathan Cullen pitched democratic reform. Martin Singh pitched a national pharmacare plan. Paul Dewar prioritized. Robert Chisholm talked leadership.

Elections Canada tried to figure out kids these days. The Department of National Defence tried to keep the cost of its new headquarters quiet. The NDP bought billboard space. The omnibus crime bill went unaccounted for. The House voted to keep curtailing debate. The Harperization of Canada was confirmed. The Conservatives peddled rumours and defended their right to do so. Tony Clement explained his verbal typo. And the Speaker ruled John Williamson and Geoff Regan out of order. Continue…

‘That is appropriate’

By Aaron Wherry - Friday, December 2, 2011 at 4:44 PM - 0 Comments

The Prime Minister stands by Peter MacKay.

Mr. Harper, who was in Burlington, Ont., to open an arts centre, was asked by reporters to explain what message it sends to Canadians if a minister can mislead the House of Commons and there are no consequences for his actions. Mr. Harper replied that the government has been very clear. “The minister was called back from his vacation and used government aircraft only for government business. And that is appropriate.”

This is more or less in keeping with what Peter Van Loan told the House this morning.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence has already answered these questions. There are really no new facts here. The fundamental facts remain the same. The Minister of National Defence paid for air travel to and from his personal vacation. Government aircraft were used only when he was called away on government business.

Both of these explanations seem to completely sidestep the question of the search-and-rescue demonstration. When Mr. MacKay first addressed this issue in September, that demonstration was foremost in his explanation and it was for that demonstration that he cut short his fishing trip.

On pointlessness

By Aaron Wherry - Friday, December 2, 2011 at 1:31 PM - 0 Comments

Julian Fantino, the associate minister of defence, responding to a question this morning about Peter MacKay’s helicopter ride.

There is no point in repeating the same response which is that he used the aircraft while on vacation to fulfill requirements to do with his job.

What does ministerial accountability mean?

By Aaron Wherry - Friday, December 2, 2011 at 12:54 PM - 0 Comments

NDP MP Ryan Cleary thinks Peter MacKay should resign.

“The email trail that has been released doesn’t back up his story,” Cleary, a New Democrat, told CBC News Friday. ”It looks like he lied about it, that’s how it looks. So when you have a federal minister of Canada come out and tell one story and a chain of emails indicate another story and it looks like he’s lying, I think that he has to resign,” Cleary told reporters in St. John’s.