Busy Canadian diplomats and soldiers were forced to scramble when former Gov.-Gen.Adrienne Clarkson demanded to go on a vanity trip to Latvia in 2019..Blacklock’s Reporter said access to information records show Clarkson’s junket included a night at the opera, a request for a field uniform and questions on whether to wear her ceremonial medals..“It means we have to juggle,” wrote one army officer in a staff e-mail..“I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your plate right now,” another replied..“I am certainly not in a position to say ‘no,’” said a third. “This will require some coordination.”.The Department of National Defence withheld the records for almost two years..“Both days, 14th and 15th, are very, very busy,” complained one diplomat..“The embassy stated they would not be able to accommodate the appropriate protocols for Madame Clarkson’s visit due to insufficient notice.”.Clarkson, 82, left office as governor-general in 2005 and retired to Toronto. On October 28, 2019, she contacted military commanders to announce her Christmas visit at taxpayers’ expense as ceremonial Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry..“I would like to visit Latvia under two conditions: 1. Our full complement of Patricias are there; 2. The commander is there,” wrote Clarkson in an October 28, 2019 email..“Please handle these questions and then we will proceed to further discussions. Best, Adrienne.”.“What is the purpose of this visit and what is expected to be achieved while in Latvia?” asked an army officer..“For the colonel-in-chief to visit with soldiers,” replied Clarkson’s executive assistant..Records show Clarkson and an unnamed guest toured Riga by chauffeured Skoda and billed $940 for a stay at the Pullman Riga Old Town Hotel.. Clarkson’s vanity trip to Latvia had diplomats and soldiers scrambling .Clarkson also attended a Bach Christmas concert and Wagner performance by the Latvian National Opera..The three-day junket included a “welcome parade” by troops and a regimental barbecue..“She seems very excited,” wrote an officer..The full cost of Clarkson’s trip was not disclosed. It included flights arranged through her personal travel agent, $500 for “incidentals” and $232 in receipted expenses for an officers’ luncheon..The records show Clarkson was preoccupied with her appearance. Officers shipped Clarkson a field uniform — “We can chat about where the badges go,” wrote one officer — while the former governor-general’s aide asked which non-combatant medals were appropriate..Clarkson also asked for a photo of her appearance to post on her Twitter account: “Madame Clarkson had expressed an interest in getting high-resolution copies of the photos taken for use on her own social media.”
Busy Canadian diplomats and soldiers were forced to scramble when former Gov.-Gen.Adrienne Clarkson demanded to go on a vanity trip to Latvia in 2019..Blacklock’s Reporter said access to information records show Clarkson’s junket included a night at the opera, a request for a field uniform and questions on whether to wear her ceremonial medals..“It means we have to juggle,” wrote one army officer in a staff e-mail..“I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your plate right now,” another replied..“I am certainly not in a position to say ‘no,’” said a third. “This will require some coordination.”.The Department of National Defence withheld the records for almost two years..“Both days, 14th and 15th, are very, very busy,” complained one diplomat..“The embassy stated they would not be able to accommodate the appropriate protocols for Madame Clarkson’s visit due to insufficient notice.”.Clarkson, 82, left office as governor-general in 2005 and retired to Toronto. On October 28, 2019, she contacted military commanders to announce her Christmas visit at taxpayers’ expense as ceremonial Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry..“I would like to visit Latvia under two conditions: 1. Our full complement of Patricias are there; 2. The commander is there,” wrote Clarkson in an October 28, 2019 email..“Please handle these questions and then we will proceed to further discussions. Best, Adrienne.”.“What is the purpose of this visit and what is expected to be achieved while in Latvia?” asked an army officer..“For the colonel-in-chief to visit with soldiers,” replied Clarkson’s executive assistant..Records show Clarkson and an unnamed guest toured Riga by chauffeured Skoda and billed $940 for a stay at the Pullman Riga Old Town Hotel.. Clarkson’s vanity trip to Latvia had diplomats and soldiers scrambling .Clarkson also attended a Bach Christmas concert and Wagner performance by the Latvian National Opera..The three-day junket included a “welcome parade” by troops and a regimental barbecue..“She seems very excited,” wrote an officer..The full cost of Clarkson’s trip was not disclosed. It included flights arranged through her personal travel agent, $500 for “incidentals” and $232 in receipted expenses for an officers’ luncheon..The records show Clarkson was preoccupied with her appearance. Officers shipped Clarkson a field uniform — “We can chat about where the badges go,” wrote one officer — while the former governor-general’s aide asked which non-combatant medals were appropriate..Clarkson also asked for a photo of her appearance to post on her Twitter account: “Madame Clarkson had expressed an interest in getting high-resolution copies of the photos taken for use on her own social media.”
