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
Passenger killed, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence
One passenger was killed and 30 injured after a Singapore Airlines SIAL.SI flight from London hit severe turbulence en route on Tuesday, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said.
Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
BREAKING Canada's inflation cools to 3-year low of 2.7%, in boost for rate cut bets
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
Trump campaign calls 'The Apprentice' 'blatantly false,' director offers to screen it for him
Donald Trump's reelection campaign called 'The Apprentice,' a film about the former U.S. president in the 1980s, 'pure fiction' and vowed legal action following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. But director Ali Abbasi is offering to privately screen the film for Trump.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
London judge rejects Prince Harry's bid to add allegations against Rupert Murdoch in tabloid lawsuit
Prince Harry can't expand his privacy lawsuit against The Sun tabloid publisher to include allegations that Rupert Murdoch and some other executives were part of an effort to conceal and destroy evidence of unlawful information gathering, a London judge ruled Tuesday.
Quebec woman suffers critical injuries after crash with moose in Algonquin Park
A Quebec woman is in critical condition and another man was injured after a vehicle collided with a moose in Algonquin Provincial Park early Sunday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'