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Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson flew to Europe on a commercial jet for her controversial post-Christmas vacation, Rideau Hall reports. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, officials have repeatedly cited increased security measures when defending Clarkson's use of government planes.
Her decision to fly commercially -- at her own expense to an undisclosed European location Jan. 9 -- was revealed yesterday by spokesman Randy Mylyk after questions were raised about the GG's absence and whereabouts at the time of the memorial service for Alberta's Lt. Gov. Lois Hole.
Clarkson has never shied away from using government planes for business and pleasure, including a controversial trip to her Georgian Bay cottage and numerous trips to New York.
Mylyk described his boss' use of a commercial airliner as "exceptional."
GG FOLLOWS RCMP RULES
"Our office will follow the recommendations of what the preferred security option is as defined by the RCMP. They obviously deemed that it was appropriate that she could take commercial aircraft," said Mylyk, who also said Hole would have understood why Clarkson didn't attend the memorial service in Edmonton.
"She said that ... Lois, more than anyone, had a sense of duty and would have understood the reasons behind her decision to continue on fulfilling her duties."
RCMP Staff Sgt. Jocelyn Mimeault said the Mounties "prefer" the GG use government planes for travel but in the end admitted Clarkson decides her mode of travel.
Initially, Rideau Hall said Clarkson went to Europe to attend the inauguration of the newly elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. It later emerged she and her husband, John Ralston Saul, have been vacationing. The inauguration is scheduled for Saturday and Mylyk said a Challenger will fly to London to pick up the GG to take her to Kiev. She returns to Ottawa on the Challenger Monday.