Tag: Rideau Hall

Canada’s ‘Guest of Honour’ Sponsorship of 2021 German Book Fair Cost Over $18 Million: Audit

The federal government paid over $18 million in 2021 for it’s “guest of honour” sponsorship of that year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, according to a newly disclosed federal audit. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon attended the fair with over 30 guests. “The Department of Canadian Heritage incurred costs of approximately $17.5 million in connection with its responsibilities,”…


Governor General’s Germany Book Fair Trip in 2021 Cost Over $800K

Governor General Mary Simon spent over $800,000 on travel expenses that included photographer fees and $200-per-plate meals during a four-day trip to Germany in 2021, according to newly released federal records. Simon travelled with 32 guests in October 2021 to the Frankfurt Book Fair and total expenses came out to just over $801,400, according to an…


Man Who Crashed Through Gates of Rideau Hall to Threaten PM Loses Sentence Appeal

The Ontario Court of Appeal has quashed a sentencing appeal in the case of a Manitoba man who stormed the gates of Rideau Hall in 2020 and sought an armed confrontation with the prime minister. A decision dated Thursday says the six-year sentence handed to Corey Hurren in March 2021, less a year for the…


Gov Gen Mary Simon Misses Order of Canada Ceremony at Rideau Hall Due to Illness

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is missing today’s Order of Canada ceremony at Rideau Hall due to illness. A spokesperson says in a written statement that “with great regret,” Simon would not preside over the investiture—news that was announced shortly before the ceremony was to begin. The statement says Simon is following the same advice given…


Governor General Issues Statement on $93k Catering Bill

Rideau Hall has issued a statement saying Gov. Gen. Mary Simon “shares the public’s concern” about a $93,000 catering bill racked up by her delegation on a government plane during a work trip to the Middle East. Rideau Hall spokesperson Natalie Babin Dufresne said in a statement shared with CBC News on June 16 that the Canadian…


Cyberbreach at Rideau Hall Was ‘Sophisticated’ Intrusion, Internal Documents Reveal

OTTAWA—Newly disclosed documents reveal the breach of an internal computer network at Rideau Hall was described to senior government officials as a “sophisticated cyber incident” in the days before the public was told of the security lapse. Internal government emails, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act, also say officials were…


Military Reservist Who Rammed Rideau Hall Gate With Truck Sentenced to Six Years

OTTAWA—A Manitoba man who rammed a gate at Rideau Hall before arming himself and heading on foot toward Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s home last July was sentenced today to six years in prison. Corey Hurren, a 46-year-old sausage-maker and military reservist, had faced 21 weapons charges and one of threatening the prime minister. He pleaded…


Manitoba Man Sentenced to Six Years for ‘Armed Aggression’ Against Government

OTTAWA—A Manitoba man who rammed a gate at Rideau Hall before arming himself and heading on foot toward Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s home last July was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison. Corey Hurren, a 46-year-old sausage-maker who served with the military’s Canadian Rangers, was given one year of credit for time spent in…


Man Who Rammed Rideau Hall Gates Pleads Guilty to Eight Charges

OTTAWA—A man accused of ramming through a gate at Rideau Hall and heading toward Justin Trudeau’s home while heavily armed pleaded guilty to eight charges in court today. Corey Hurren, a Manitoba military reservist and sausage−maker, faced 21 weapons charges and one of threatening the prime minister. However, he pleaded guilty to eight charges involving…


Report Details a Pattern of Aggressive Conduct at Rideau Hall Under Payette

OTTAWA—Julie Payette’s resignation as governor general was prompted by a scathing review of the work environment she presided over at Rideau Hall, described by dozens of people as hostile, toxic, or poisoned. The government released the findings of the independent review conducted by Quintet Consulting Corp. on Wednesday evening. The report is heavily redacted, primarily…