Prime Minister Trudeau ends Tofino vacation, will visit wildfire evacuation centre
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrapped up his family vacation in Tofino, B.C., on Friday.
The prime minister's plane, a Bombardier Challenger jet operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force, departed Tofino-Long Beach Airport around 2:45 p.m.
Trudeau was expected to fly to Edmonton where he was scheduled to visit a wildfire evacuation centre that has been set up for those fleeing the raging wildfires in the Northwest Territories.
The Edmonton visit, which will be closed to the news media, was added to Trudeau's official itinerary Friday afternoon. He is expected to return to Ottawa following the stopover.
Trudeau arrived in Tofino for the eight-day vacation on Aug. 10.
The prime minister and his wife of 18 years, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, announced two weeks ago that they were separating but still plan to spend time together as a family.
On Thursday, Grégoire Trudeau shared a series of photos of the family trip on her Instagram account, where she espoused the "raw beauty of Tofino."
"Being in contact with Nature’s elements is a natural detoxing process for the mind and body all on its own," she wrote in the caption, noting her first visit to Tofino was nearly two decades ago.
"Just a couple of days spent as a family surfing the waves, biking, hiking, fishing, sunset gazing or bathing in sustainably harvested seaweed," she added. "Back to school and work is around the corner but let’s stretch it out as much as possible!"
Trudeau has visited Tofino several times during his tenure as prime minister, often being photographed surfing or walking the beaches.
However, the prime minister faced backlash from Indigenous groups and political opponents in September 2021 after flying to Tofino for vacation on the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
"Travelling on September 30th was a mistake, and I regret it," Trudeau said following the ill-timed trip.
"The first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation was a time for Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people alike to reflect and connect, think about the past but also focus on the future."
The Prime Minister's Office said it consulted with the ethics commissioner about the trip and that the family would pay for their own stay.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.