Peter MacKay is currently serving as Canada's Minister of National Defence. Previously, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Before the merger of The Canadian Alliance and The Progressive Conservatives, MacKay was leader of the federal PCs. During his time as Minister of National Defence, MacKay has faced criticism for using a government search-and-rescue helicopter to travel to the airport in Gander, N.L. after a personal vacation at a fishing lodge. The cost of the flight has been estimated at $16,000.