They brought Sgt. Andrew Doiron back to Canada today, and I was glad to see that thousands of Canadians turned out to welcome him home down the Highway of Heroes.Once I thought that reception was too militaristic, and too American. But now I think it's right that we should value every life,
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A BCer in Toronto: A Liberal Air Force Brat’s take on Andrew Leslie’s $72,000 move
If you haven’t heard of this story, you probably stayed off social media over the Family Day long weekend, and deserve congratulations for having something of a life. But long story short, *cough* someone *cough* passed documents to CTV showing that when Lt. General Andrew Leslie retired from the Army,
Continue readingPeace, order and good government, eh?: I think we need a new watchdog
Alison at Creekside picked up on this interesting Globe and Mail piece in which the man charged with oversight on CSEC — Canada’s signals intelligence agency — explained his priorities. Jean-Pierre Plouffe, whose formal title is Communications Security Establishment Commissioner, was testifying before a parliamentary committee concerning recent reports based
Continue readingPeace, order and good government, eh?: On watchdogs with no bite
The watchdog charged with keeping tabs on CSEC, Canada’s signals intelligence agency, filed his annual report yesterday and I’d say it justifies recent demands by the federal opposition parties for stronger oversight. The Commissioner, Robert Decary, found evidence suggesting that CSEC may have targeted Canadians for surveillance, which is illegal
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Pallas Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Nerds
She sprang from the cranium of Zeus himself, a divine thought found form, and a blessing unto the Gods, the philosophers of men, and the City of Athens. She was the goddess of civilization, wisdom, strength, strategy, wit, craft, raffia-worked … Continue reading →
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Ministerial responsibility is dead; Peter MacKay hides behind the troops (again)
It was shocking and troubling news when it broke two days ago: the federal government (it’s only called the Harper Government when it’s doing positive things) announced it would be ending the danger pay allowance for Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan. The baffling news from a government supposedly all about
Continue readingPeace, order and good government, eh?: Mostly competent government
Military truck purchase cancelled due to cost concerns The federal government has slammed the brakes on a multimillion-dollar program to replace the military’s aging trucks. … Companies had until 2 p.m. ET Wednesday to bid on a contract for 1,500 new medium-sized logistics trucks for the Canadian Forces. But Public
Continue readingPolygonic: MacKay: We’re just as dodgy with our accounting as Sponsorship-era Liberals
Duhhhhr! Ooonnggg… errrrggg…. Out of the mouths of babes. It’s been an awkward delight watching Conservative spinmeisters trot out Plan A through Plan W in their Catalogue of Flimsy Excuses over the F-35 affair. Blaming bureaucrats didn’t cut it, even blaming the other parties hasn’t cut it. One waits with
Continue readingPeace, order and good government, eh?: QOTD: On the F-35
Michael Harris writing at iPolitics in the aftermath of the Auditor General’s report on the F-35 fiasco: Since the finding that the Harper government was in contempt of parliament, it has all been downhill. The committee system is now like a perpetual meeting of the Skull and Bones society. When
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Mackay, Conservatives should wear F-35 boondoggle
The auditor general’s report Tuesday on the mismanagement by DND and the government of the F-35 is drawing major attention, and rightly so. But the fact is these revelations have largely been known for some time and all these objections raised previously — the Conservatives simply elected to ignore them.
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Steve Harper’s "Culture of Entitlement"
Steve Harper, perhaps unwittingly, set out to be the Defence department’s butt boy and today he finds himself with a blinding hangover, lying in an alley in a pool of his own puke, surrounded by empty bottles and with his pants curiously down around his ankles. The Auditor General, Michael
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: This is an opportunity to reset the fighter jet procurement process
After several years of ignoring opposition warnings about the price, suitability and lack of competitive tender around the F-35 program, the Harper Conservatives are now finally beginning to admit what we’ve all known all along: this purchase isn’t set in stone, the F-35 program has issues, and this may not
Continue readingReduce DND Spending to Pre-9/11 Levels, CCPA
Below is the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives Alternative Federal Budget. This specific chapter deails the CCPA’s Defence and Security suggestions for the upcoming federal budget. Enjoy Filed under: Canada Tagged: AFN, CCAP, DND, policy alternatives
Continue readingPeace, order and good government, eh?: Dear DND: Not even close
Officials at the Department of National Defence are defending their efforts in attempting to cover Peter MacKay’s butt when he took fire from the opposition over his own bad judgement… …saying the process is no different than its efforts to gather facts for the public and news media. A number
Continue readingPeace, order and good government, eh?: So when can expect Peter MacKay’s resignation from cabinet?
This isn’t the first time I’ve asked that question. On the previous occasion it was because he had been shown to have lied to parliament, which ought to be reason enough for a cabinet minister to stand down. But this time we have a situation that’s arguably much more serious.
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