Question Period Note: Cost of VVIP flights

Why is this Government misleading Canadians about how much VIP flights are costing taxpayers?

• National Defence operates fleets of aircraft that provide an essential service for the Government of Canada.

• These aircraft provide safe and secure travel to locations in Canada and abroad for senior Government officials.

• As with any flights, costs are incurred related to catering, as well as other fees such as airport and local taxes, administrative fees, and security charges.

• Given the number of destinations and travelers on these international trips, it takes some time for officials to reconcile and finalize costs.

• National Defence takes seriously its responsibility as a steward of public funds, and we endeavour to be as transparent as possible in our reporting.

• Indeed, we answer questions on VVIP trip costs through a variety of mechanisms, including through questions, committees, and access to information requests.

• All answers are provided based on the best available data at the time and in the context of each request.

• We are currently reviewing how overall costing for catering on VVIP flights are accounted for, to ensure consistency in reporting to Parliament, the media and the public.

• The RCAF is also working with its partner departments, clients and suppliers to determine what efficiencies are possible while still ensuring safe and professional catering services for passengers and crew on its aircrafts.

Quick Facts

Other use of the aircraft: The Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft fulfill critical roles for the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Government of Canada, including:

• Rapidly deployable medical and military transport to theatres of operation; and

• Secure and reliable transport for Government officials.

Use of VIP transport

• DND provides secure VIP transport at the request of the Government.

• Global Affairs Canada provides DND with passenger lists and destinations for trips

  • As the owners of aircraft assets, DND organizes the air travel logistics for reaching the requested destination.

Selection of Flight Menu

• The RCAF flight steward coordinates the menu with the Global Affairs Canada Protocol Office.

• Once the final menu has been approved by the GAC Protocol Office, the Squadron then places the order with the appropriate caterers.

Catering costs include:

• The cost of food, non-alcoholic beverages, and associated fees, including catering handling and delivery, storage, cleaning and disposal of international waste, airport taxes, administrative fees, security charges, and local taxes.

• Catering costs are driven by available catering options at airports globally.

Recent Measures

• In 2019, the percentage of contingency catering for VVIP flights was reduced to 65% to reduce cost and waste. In 2022, the percentage was again reduced, this time to 20%.

• In a further effort to reduce cost, in 2020, linen service (which included linen napkins, glassware, plates and cutlery) was reduced to include only the VVIP(s) with all other passengers receiving the standard tray and plastic cutlery.

Background

House Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO)

• On September 22, 2022, LGen Eric Kenny, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), alongside Stewart Wheeler, Chief of Protocol, Global Affairs Canada, and Christine MacIntyre, Deputy Secretary, Policy, Program and Protocol Branch, Office of the Governor General’s Secretary, appeared before the House Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) to discuss expenditures related to the Governor Generals’ trip to the Middle East.

• This appearance stemmed from a motion for the committee to undertake a study of the expenditure of nearly $100,000 in public funds for the Office of the Governor General of Canada for catering services during an eight-day tour of the Middle East in March 2022.

• During the appearance LGen Kenny noted that in addition to air defence and search and rescue, one of the RCAF’s missions is to provide safe and secure travel for VVIPs including the Royal Family, the Governor General and the Prime Minister. This includes:

  • Supplying pilots and crew

  • Maintaining security and safety in-flight

  • Determining logistics with foreign countries and air traffic controls

  • Pre-positioning aircraft if required, conducting fueling, and maintenance

  • Working with Global Affairs to select menus and provide catering

• LGen Kenny also highlighted that, in compliance with air safety regulations, and to ensure the safety of members and crew, RCAF flight stewards verify that all catering services meet Canadian food safety standards and that any food brought onto the flight is safe for consumption.

• The RCAF and the Office of Protocol at Global Affairs Canada are working to strengthen their processes, and will work to introduce additional measures in pursuit of the best possible value. This will be done while maintaining the safety and quality of services for their passengers on official diplomatic flights, consistent with best practices in commercial aviation as well as in international diplomatic travel.

Royal Canadian Air Force, Strategic Joint Staff