Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's return trip to Ottawa from a luxury Jamaican resort was delayed due to a malfunction in his military aircraft.
The resort, which once functioned as a slave plantation, is known to charge a hefty sum of $9,300 (CDN) for its services. This incident marks another controversial vacation for the Prime Minister, as reported by CBC News on Friday.
The Royal Canadian Air Force responded to the situation by dispatching a second CC-144 Challenger to the island, along with a maintenance team to repair the first aircraft. Following the repair, Trudeau and his family were able to embark on their return journey.
Andre-Anne Poulin, a public affairs officer at the Department of National Defence, confirmed the incident. "The first aircraft that transported the Prime Minister's party became unserviceable after arrival," she stated in an email to CBC. She further explained, "The second aircraft brought a maintenance team to repair the first aircraft, and remained in the area as a back-up for the Prime Minister's departure, if necessary."
The Prime Minister was scheduled to return home on Thursday. However, a routine inspection on January 2 revealed an issue with the Challenger, prompting the dispatch of a second aircraft with a full maintenance crew. The crew successfully returned the aircraft to serviceability.
This is not the first time Trudeau's government aircraft has faced issues abroad. In September 2023, Trudeau was unable to depart from the G-20 summit meeting in India due to a similar problem with the plane.
During that incident, Deepak Vohr, a former Indian diplomat, made a startling claim. "When Justin Trudeau came to India for the G20 this month, his plane was full of cocaine," Vohr told Zee News, as quoted by the Toronto Sun. He further alleged that Trudeau "has definitely gone insane" and that police dogs had detected the presence of cocaine in the plane.
Trudeau's stay in Jamaica spanned nine days at a private compound costing $9,300 (CDN), as per information obtained by the National Post. The resort, known as the Prospect Estate, is a prime oceanfront property boasting a fortified residence dating back to the 17th century. The resort is described as "perhaps the most desirable north coast villa in Jamaica."
The Prime Minister was accommodated in a 5,000-square-foot villa featuring six bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. The compound, which can house up to 12 people, is equipped with a private swimming pool, hot tub, and private beach access.
The resort is owned by Peter Green, a long-time friend of the Trudeau family and a donor to the Trudeau Foundation. The property has a historical significance as a former slave plantation.
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