Controversy over Trudeau’s vacation reignites in Commons

OTTAWA — A media report detailing how a government technician made his way to a pricey private island in the Bahamas had Prime Minister Justin Trudeau deflecting renewed allegations Tuesday about his controversial New Year’s family vacation with the Aga Khan.

Trudeau weathered a barrage of questions from interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose and Opposition House Leader Candice Bergen about the latest cost estimates for the trip, which included a ride on the Aga Khan’s private helicopter.

The Opposition seized on a CBC report that found a Privy Council Office technician was able to travel to the island by commercially chartered seaplane, undermining Trudeau’s argument that the private helicopter was his only option.

CBC says the government’s initial $127,187 cost estimate for the trip did not include another $6,695 for the seaplane.

Trudeau responded to the allegations Tuesday with his standard reply: that it was a private family vacation that he’s happy to discuss with the federal ethics commissioner.

But he also fended off questions from the opposition by saying the Mounties ultimately bear responsibility for deciding which mode of transportation he took to the island.

“Furthermore, on prime ministerial travel, as is always the case, the RCMP makes determinations around what is the most secure way for a prime minister to travel,” Trudeau said.