Justin Trudeau Flies ISIS Brides Home in Business Class on $170k

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spent over $170,000 of government funds to bring back eight women, known as ISIS brides, from Syria. The women were flown business class and accommodated at a luxury hotel in Montreal, where they incurred high expenses covered by Canadian taxpayers. The repatriation costs were covered by Global Affairs Canada, the country's diplomatic department.

The expenses included lavish hotel stays with exorbitant bar tabs, catering bills, and purchases at the hotel gift shop. The women, who had joined ISIS while living in different Canadian provinces, were repatriated in two waves in 2022 and 2023. Some of them faced legal consequences upon their return, with charges ranging from terrorism offenses to participating in ISIS operations.

The emergence of the government documents revealing the expenses incurred in repatriating the ISIS brides was criticized by Secure Canada, a group representing families affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The CEO of the group expressed concern over the perceived extravagance of the homecoming for the repatriated women, highlighting the contrast in treatment between perpetrators of terrorism and their victims.

Global News had requested information on the repatriation costs two years prior, and the documents were only released recently. The disclosed expenses covered the return of the women and their children to Montreal, excluding the costs of sending Canadian officials to Syria to facilitate their repatriation. Global Affairs Canada stated that certain expenditures were made to ensure the safe return and well-being of the repatriated individuals.