Pettigrew takes his chauffeur to europe

(via SDA) From the Globe....

OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew took his chauffeur to Europe and South America in 2001 and 2002 at a cost to taxpayers of at least $10,000, even though the driver did not transport the minister during the international visits.

As Mr. Pettigrew's personal chauffeur, Bruno Labonté usually drives his boss around Ottawa and back and forth between Ottawa and Montreal. Mr. Labonté's services are not regularly required during foreign trips in which Canadian delegations are taken under the wing of local officials or Canadian embassies.

Mr. Labonté, however, accompanied Mr. Pettigrew on two official trips abroad, stating on one of his expense claims that his role was "escorting the minister," according to documents released to The Globe and Mail under the Access to Information Act.

The visits included trips to Lima, Paris and Madrid.