Big part of Papal visit on taxpayer?

Press, 21 July 1986, Page 3

Big part of Papal visit on taxpayer?

By

JOHN MULLINDER

in Edmonton

The New Zealand taxpayer could be footing a large proportion of the bill for the Pope’s threeday visit to New Zealand in November. The Pope’s 12-day visit to Canada in September, 1984, cost taxpayers at least sCan2l.7 million, according to documents obtained under Canada’s Access to Information Act.

A 10-day tour by the Queen cost the Canadian Government only about $1 million.

The Department of National Defence paid $3 million for salaries and overtime, equipment rental, and for the provision of aircraft for moving the “Popemobile” and limousines.

The State-owned radio and television corporation, the C.8.C., spent $9.2 million on the visit. As host broadcaster it provided picture and sound coverage to foreign and domestic broadcasters, setting up facilities in 12 cities.

C.B.C. Enterprises earned nearly $1 million from the sale of video cassettes featuring highlights from the Pope’s

trip. The- Royal Canadian Mounted Police spent $3 million on salaries, wages and overtime, security equipment, and travel and accommodation.

The Department of External Affairs contributed $6.5 million on travel, protection services, office and building rental, overtime, and hospitality. The $21.7 million borne by Canadian taxpayers does not include the salaries of public servants seconded from various departments to staff the task force set up to organise the visit.

As well, Canada’s Catholic Church itself incurred $22 million in expenses, but earned $8.5 million in revenues, leaving an initial deficit of $13.5 million. A spokesman for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is reported as saying the Church’s deficit has been cleared.

A poll commissioned by the bishops and released in 1985 showed that 77 per cent of respondents (of many religious faiths) approved of the visit. Of the 15 per cent who disapproved, 82 per cent cited the cost as the reason.