Say what now? MacKay threatens to sue MPs who questioned veracity of his chopper tale

"Defence Minister Peter MacKay is considering legal action against MPs who accused him of lying about a ride he took aboard a search-and-rescue helicopter.

Opposition members have called for Mr. MacKay to apologize and even to resign over his use of military resources to shuttle him to the airport in Gander from a personal vacation at a remote Newfoundland fishing lodge.

Documents released last week showed some National Defence staff predicted the trip could be perceived badly, with one suggesting the pick-up was only to be under the “guise” of a search-and-rescue exercise. The cost of the flight has been estimated at $16,000.

Mr. MacKay has said the 30-minute trip was pre-planned and that he’d been waiting for the opportunity to check out the work of the search-and-rescue team in the region. He said his personal vacation was cut short by government business in London, Ont.

Some MPs, including Interim NDP Leader Nycole Turmel and Liberal MP Marc Garneau have said Mr. MacKay “lied” to the House of Commons about the trip when he initially answered questions about it earlier in the fall.

Search-and-rescue operations on the East Coast have been under severe strain because of chronic technical difficulties with the fleet of Cormorant helicopters. A briefing note to Mr. MacKay in 2010 warned that the Cormorant's availability was “barely adequate” to meet the search-and-rescue (SAR) requirements.

Two men involved in the pick-up are now publicly backing the Defence Minister.

A military technician who hoisted Mr. MacKay into the helicopter as it hovered near the lodge said it was entirely positive that the minister was actively involved with the work of the search-and-rescue team.

“As a SAR Tech, I appreciate the support the [Minister of National Defence] provides the [Canadian Forces] and I welcome future opportunities to conduct this style of contact training with any member of the government,” Warrant Officer Morgan Biderman said in an email sent to the Defence Department's public affairs office Wednesday.

“The positive aspects of Minister MacKay becoming actively involved in our training and the absolute trust he puts in the personnel of the Air Force, is what need to be emphasized! If it has a spin off benefit of transporting him-them, where they need to be, I consider it a win-win for all concerned!”

The pilot who flew the helicopter and commanded the Cormorant squadron told the iPolitics news website Wednesday that the trip was legitimate, given that it occurred during a regularly scheduled training flight and would have gone ahead with or without Mr. MacKay.

“This was a training flight that we were going to participate in,” said retired major Stephen Reid. “If the minister was able to slide his way in, in some fashion, that was fine with us.”

He added that the hoist technician, WO Biderman, needed the training.

Mr. MacKay's office says statements like that show the minister was telling the truth when he said he was taking advantage of an opportunity to participate in an exercise.

“Minister MacKay has had his character and personal reputation attacked,” spokesman Jay Paxton said. “Minister MacKay is looking into legal options against those who have attacked his integrity.”

Who exactly Mr. MacKay is considering suing is unclear. Some MPs accused the Defence Minister of lying outside the Commons, where they do not benefit from parliamentary privilege. Others, such as Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae, used terms such as “concocting the truth.”

Still, documents released to the Toronto Star under access-to-information legislation suggest air force officials had examined more options for Mr. MacKay's trip than just the Cormorant helicopters.

The documents showed scenarios were considered that included sending a crew from CFB Gagetown, or a CH-146 Griffon from Goose Bay, Nfld. Both options were ruled out because they were too far away.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has defended Mr. McKay by saying that flight was legitimate because the minister had been called back for government duties." - Jennifer Ditchburn, on The Globe and Mail.

But here's the thing, though: we don't question MacKay being brought *from* his vacation to his governmental duties, it's taking that same chopper *back* to his family vacation...

Check out this awe-inspiring, inspirational story (Click here).

A smiling face of optimism and hope as she battles for every breath she takes...

"From the time she was born, [20-year-old] Hélène [Campbell] has been on the move. Moments after birth, she had her groove going -her hands would not keep still. Now at twenty, not only is she constantly on the go, but her joyful personality contagiously lifts the spirits of others. Whether at school, work, church, in hospital, or studying in Spain, people have easily joined with her and enjoyed her positive vibe.

Hélène has been famous for her kindness towards others and she received an award for this in grade six. At her high school graduation, she was given the Christine Proulx Award for her cooperation and perpetual willingness to help others. Someone commented “She has such a bubbly disposition; she should have a new soft drink named after her.”

Hélène loves music. People marvel at the variety she keeps on her iPod and how she integrates it with another passion of hers – film making. She loves capturing memorable moments, but her specialty seems to be creating them. Her mini musical dance documentary in Spain involving many friends and strangers is the perfect example of her ability to create joyful moments out of daily experiences. She believes life is worth living and sharing, a theme through many of her videos. With music in the background, camera in hand, smile on her face and not a minute to lose, she’s on the move…

In July 2011, Hélène was admitted to The Ottawa Hospital with collapsed lungs. It was discovered that she suffers from advanced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. This means that her lungs have been permanently scarred by inflammation and the root cause of the inflammation is unknown. Treatment with Prednisone has not stopped the progression of the disease. Hélène requires oxygen to perform physical tasks. With twenty-four percent of remaining breathing capacity, a lung transplant is the next step. She has been referred to the Transplant Program in Toronto. She and some of her family must relocate from Ottawa to Toronto. 

This is a time of loss for Hélène - independence, physical strength, employment income, and savings for school. Despite this, she chooses to focus on the positives in her life like family, friends, new friends from her stay in hospital and creative media. We see her with her radiant smile, enjoying even the simplest things in life, like orange juice and Reese’s limited edition chocolate bars. Even though she must now pace herself, she is still always moving onward. 

-Hélène, you are an inspiration- 

If you wish to donate to Hélène's living expenses in Toronto, while she waits to receive new lungs and during her recovery, please visit alungstory.ca".