Defence Minister Peter MacKay spends $3 million using Canada’s VIP jets

Another story has surfaced about a government official spending taxpayer dollars for questionable use of the country's VIP jets - this time it involves the minister of defence.

Between 2007 and 2011, Peter MacKay flew more than any other cabinet minister.

Records obtained by The Globe and Mail show that over four years there were 35 flights arranged for MacKay costing taxpayers almost $3 million. None of these flights, however, were to Afghanistan with 25 being domestic trips inside Canada.

During question period, Thursday, prime minister Harper came to the defence of of his defence minister.

Harper said MacKay used the jet 70 per cent less than his Liberal predecessors and "half the time he does that for repatriation ceremonies" in Trenton, Ont. for fallen soldiers.

The intent, the prime minister said, was to meet the families of fallen soldiers.

"He goes there to show that we understand their sacrifice, we share their pain and we care about them and that's why the Minister of Defence is so highly regarded."

But the records show that of the 35 flights MacKay's office requested since September, 2007, only nine were to attend to return of soldiers' remains to Canada.

Prince Edward Island Liberal MP Wayne Easter told the Globe he would have thought the foreign minister of the day would be the most frequent user of Challenger jets.

"Here you have the minister of defence using the Challenger as if it was their personal taxi," Easter said.

"It seems as if he feels he's been given the keys to the kingdom."

For those keeping score at home, this is the fourth government 'airplane scandal' that has surfaced in as many weeks.

First there was the story about former Governor General Michaëlle Jean who, while in office, flew on government planes more than Stephen Harper. Eight of her trips were for personal use.

Then there was the story of Canada's Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk who spent more than $1 million flying on government VIP aircraft including a flight to a family vacation in the Caribbean.

And just last week MacKay came under fire in the Commons after his office requested a government search helicopter pick him up at the salmon fishing lodge he was vacationing at near Gander, N.L., in July 2010.

The stories have been great fodder for bloggers and pundits alike, but for many Canadians they apparently reveal an elitist sense of entitlement and disregard for taxpayer dollars.

(CP Photo)