Governor General Mary Simon’s office and other federal staff misled the House of Commons government operations committee over true costs of a trip to Dubai, according to MPs. One aide who claimed she dined on ordinary airplane food yesterday admitted the menu included Beef Wellington, according to Blacklock's Reporter..“You got caught red-handed,” said Bloc Québécois MP Julie Vignola (Beauport-Limoilou, Que.). “You testified you had eaten ordinary airline food,” added Vignola. “Beef Wellington is far from an ordinary dish.”.The Commons government operations committee is investigating expenses by the Governor General on a March 17 junket to Dubai. Records show Rideau Hall and other federal agencies concealed true costs from MPs..The total expense of the eight-day junket was $1.15 million. Catering costs originally claimed to be $80,367 were in fact $93,118..Christine MacIntyre, deputy secretary to the Governor General, testified November 2 that catered meals were ordinary airplane food. “I was one of the passengers on those flights,” said MacIntyre. “The meals we were given are the types of meals you would get on a commercial flight.”.Meals in fact included Beef Wellington, French crepes, fresh and smoked salmon, gourmet cakes and fine wines. Deputy MacIntyre yesterday admitted her testimony about ordinary airplane food was misleading..“The comments made during the previous experience in November were based on my experience being involved with official international visits over many years,” said MacIntyre. “It was giving an example of food served on the Middle East flight that was consistent with food served on previous government flights I had been on.”.“I was not attempting to justify or normalize these costs in any way,” said MacIntyre. “I was trying to provide context to the committee about why, when learning about the cost of the visit, I was so surprised.”.Conservative MP Michael Barrett (Leeds-Grenville, Ont.), who first enquired about the catering costs, said expenses were remarkable. “On the invoices it says there are special requests for a sandwich for $53,” said Barrett. “I would say that’s an impressive sandwich.”.“There’s a special request for salad for $271,” said Barrett. “Having to eat a salad is one thing, paying $271 for that punishment is something else. These must be quite remarkable dishes.”.Liberal MP Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal, Que.) complained Rideau Hall and other agencies concealed records from the committee that were subsequently obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation through Access To Information. “I’m flabbergasted,” said Housefather. “I think we share some of that,” said Conservative MP Kelly McCauley (Edmonton West), chair of the government operations committee..“We’re seeing growing distrust of our public institutions,” said New Democrat MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni, B.C.). “Against that backdrop it’s concerning to see public funds being spent on high-end meals like the $2,660 on Beef Wellington.”
