REGINA: Saskatchewan politicians took more than 2,038 flights on government aircraft between April 2002 and March 2005, averaging nearly 58 flights per Cabinet Minister, according to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) through Freedom of Information.

Buckley Belanger is most frequent flyer, Sonntag flies solo
Of all Saskatchewan Cabinet Ministers, Buckley Belanger is the top flyer. During the three years surveyed, Belanger took a total of 261 flights, or 7.25 flights per month or a trip every four days. Maynard Sonntag came in a close second with 247 flights, nearly seven flights per month.

Of Sonntag's 261 flights, 68 were solo trips (Sonntag and flight crew were the only passengers) to his constituency of Meadow Lake.

"Buckley Belanger has been recognized by the CTF as the King of the Skies in the past, but Belanger's consumption of aviation fuel continues unabated," said CTF Saskatchewan Director David Maclean. "Perhaps it would be cheaper if we moved the entire department of Northern Affairs to Prince Albert."

Eric Cline bringing up the rear
Third place goes to Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline with a total of 189 flights or just over five flights per month. The vast majority of Cline's flights were to Saskatoon and back (Eric Cline represents the constituency of Saskatoon Massey Place.) Cline also took 17 solo flights. All but one of these flights were to Saskatoon.

"If the key to growing the Saskatchewan economy was found in a King Air 350, Eric Cline would have Saskatchewan roaring," added MacLean. "It seems like a lot, considering the premier took only 60 flights over the same three-year period."

Air Serby - The Yorkton Express
Clay Serby authorized for himself 41 solo flights - all except two were to his home riding of Yorkton. Serby took four solo flights in two days (September, 2004).

Honourable mentions
Eldon Lautermilch was only in Cabinet for 19 months during the period in question, but managed to take 125 flights, averaging 6.6 per month. On July 25, 2003 Lautermilch flew solo from Regina to Prince Alberta and returned to Regina. Also on that day Lautermilch flew from Regina to Prince Albert to La Ronge and back to Regina with Minister Sonntag. The very next day, Lautermilch, two family members and a staffer flew from Regina to Prince Albert to Calgary and back to Regina.

MLA Judy Junor was in Cabinet during this period for only 10 months, but managed to use government aircraft 80 times - an average of eight flights a month. Junor also set the record for most flights in one month - she took 19 flights in May 2004.

"The big question here is whether the primary purpose of government aircraft is to shuttle cabinet ministers back and forth to their constituencies," said MacLean.

One tonne-taxpayer challenge!
"The province is always telling taxpayers to cut their CO2 emissions, perhaps they should lead by example," added MacLean. "The bottom line is this is the age of the internet, video conferencing and fax machines. One has to wonder whether this travel is to ensure politicians are kissing babies in their ridings instead of conducting legitimate government businesses."

A study conducted by Dalhousie University suggests air travel produces as much as .16 kg of CO2 per passenger for every kilometer of travel.

"For example, if Minister Cline cut his 189 flights in half, he could have saved at least ¾ of a tonne of CO2," added MacLean. "He should consider this a taxpayer-funded one-tonne challenge!"

Government travel costing millions - review is needed
In 2002-03, the most recent year provided by Saskatchewan Property Management, it cost more than $2 million to operate government aircraft - a $400,000 increase over the previous year. In that year, government pilots racked up $64,000 in overtime, and aircraft consumed $300,000 in fuel. British Columbia has no government aircraft for transporting politicians and Manitoba has one. Saskatchewan operates three.

"With fuel prices almost doubling over the past year, we can expect this year's cost to be extraordinarily high," said MacLean. "We must consider whether chartering private aircraft in a coordinated way might save money. It's time we review the government fleet and determine whether this is really the most cost-effective way of transporting politicians and other government officials."