MacKay's pricey hotel bill dug out by tax watchdog

Defence Minister Peter MacKay billed for several pricey hotel stays internationally last year while his staff stayed nearby at more affordable rates, according to receipts obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

But the minister's spokesman says the trip was important international business and the expenses were disclosed two years ago.

The proactive disclosure report available online for the February 2010 trip to Turkey and Germany for informal NATO talks and the Munich security conference shows the trip cost taxpayers more than $10,000.

But a more detailed examination of hotel bills and credit card receipts released to the CTF under access to information laws suggests the minister's travel expenses incurred were many times higher than those incurred for two staff travelling with him on the same trip.

In Istanbul for the informal meetings of NATO defence ministers on Feb. 4 and 5 last year, MacKay and his staff stayed at the same hotel, the Ceylan Intercontinental. However, the CTF says, the bills show MacKay's per-night room expense was $770, while his staff managed in a room that cost $276.

When they travelled on to Munich for the security conference, MacKay's hotel costs nearly doubled. The minister stayed at the Bayerischer Hof in central Munich at a rate of more than $1,400 per night. Receipts show his staff stayed at the Munich Park Hilton for a more modest rate of about $239 a night.

All figures are based on exchange rates at the time.

MacKay spoke at the Munich security conference on Feb. 7. The annual event, an exclusive international gathering of top military and security officials, is held at the Bayerischer Hof hotel where MacKay stayed. 

Conferences 'advance Canadian interests' 

Writing on the CTF website, Gregory Thomas suggested the room rates charged by MacKay "go far beyond what most taxpayers would consider reasonable," adding the defence minister "has some explaining to do."

In an email to CBC News, the minister's spokesman, Jay Paxton, said "Canada booked accommodations at the same hotel" where the conference was taking place, and MacKay's expenses were disclosed proactively nearly two years ago on the government's website.

"Canada has earned its seat at major international conferences," Paxton said. "Nation-to-nation meetings that take place at these conferences advance Canadian interests and activities, including the work of our men and women serving in Afghanistan." 

Speaking in question period on Thursday, MacKay echoed those points, repeating that Canada had simply booked rooms at the same hotel where the conference takes place, "where the majority of the participants stay."

"I was proud to represent Canada at that conference," MacKay told the House of Commons.

MacKay has been under fire for weeks following reports he used a military search and rescue helicopter in July 2010 to be airlifted from a remote Newfoundland fishing lodge where he was staying on a personal vacation.

He then connected with a government Challenger jet to fly to a routine ministerial announcement in London, Ont., at a total cost many times higher than using commercial alternatives for his transportation. Later that day, MacKay used the same government jet to fly back to his riding for the annual Pictou Lobster Carnival.

The government maintains the flights were for government business and were appropriate.