National Defence

Military ombudsman rebuts complaints of delays, dysfunction in his office

Topics: 
National Defence, Watchdogs, Ombudsmen
Rating: 
3
Pierre Daigle

David Pugliese – May 18, 2012

Canada’s embattled military ombudsman says he welcomes the investigation into his office ordered by Defence Minister Peter MacKay after former and current employees complained the organization has become dysfunctional, with questions raised about travel expenses, sexist jokes and whether issues raised by soldiers were being dealt with properly.

Pierre Daigle, a retired major general, will not step aside as the assessment of his office is done and intends to continue on with his role as ombudsman.

'Secret' F-35 letter to AG's office downgraded later

Topics: 
Government transparency, Public Works, National Defence, Procurement process
Rating: 
0

Tim Naumetz – May 9, 2012

A letter from the Public Works deputy minister revealing internal concern about sole-sourcing the $25-billion F-35 stealth jet project, while defending the decision against criticism from Auditor General Michael Ferguson, was originally classified as “secret” when it was sent to Mr. Ferguson last February.

The secret classification, which Mr. Ferguson’s office told The Hill Times on Wednesday would have prevented the auditor general’s office from using the information or revealing it, was downgraded two weeks later at the AG’s office’s request and resent with a lower security classification, according to a note at the bottom by Public Works deputy minister François Guimond.

Canadian Forces tries to stop injured soldier from speaking out

Topics: 
Veterans Affairs, National Defence, PTSD, Mental health injuries
Rating: 
0
Corporal Steven Stoesz

David Pugliese – May 6, 2012

An injured Afghan veteran who spoke out a few days ago about the poor level of health services available to troops has been ordered not to talk to the news media. But on Sunday, Corporal Steven Stoesz ignored that order and went on CTV’s Question Period.

He said mental health professionals at CFB Shilo are overworked and soldiers face a lengthy delay in getting help.“Shilo is overwhelmed,” he said.

Canada's severely flawed cluster bomb bill

Topics: 
Foreign Affairs, National Defence, Defence industry
Rating: 
0

The proposed legislation is the worst of any country that has ratified or acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions to date

Earl Turcotte – May 2, 2012

On April 25, the Canadian government tabled long-awaited national legislation that will finally enable Canada to accede to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Unfortunately, the legislation is tragically, shockingly flawed.

The legislation stems from 2007, when Norway, with strong support from Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico, and the Holy See, initiated the Oslo Process leading to the negotiation of the convention.

Canada’s cluster bomb legislation worst: experts

Topics: 
Foreign Affairs, National Defence, Defence industry
Rating: 
3

Chris Cobb – April 29, 2012

New federal legislation intended to cement Canada’s role in a major international treaty to ban lethal cluster bombs is weak and will make Canada deliberately complicit in the use of the weapons, say experts.

“It falls way below even the minimum threshold of legality under international humanitarian law and is an insult to colleagues in other countries who, seemingly unlike Canada, have negotiated in good faith,” said former Foreign Affairs arms negotiator Earl Turcotte, who led Canada’s negotiating team at the treaty negotiations.

Timeline: The fight over fighter jets

Topics: 
Government ethics, Government transparency, National Defence, Procurement process
Rating: 
0

Rebecca Lindell – April 03, 2012

Through thick and thin, including an election call, the Conservatives have stood by their commitment to the embattled F-35 fighter jet program. Here’s a look back at the ongoing saga.

May 27, 2010 – Defence Minister Peter MacKay let it slip that Canada had chosen the F-35s as the replacement for the aging CF-18 fighter jets during a late night House of Commons debate. MacKay later said he misspoke and that the F-35 was one of at least two aircraft being considered.

How to do the jet purchase properly

Topics: 
Public Works, National Defence, Procurement process
Rating: 
3

Alan William – April 6, 2012

On Tuesday, Auditor General Michael Ferguson released his spring report, which included a severe criticism of the government's proposed purchase of F-35 fighter jets. But the AG could have gone even further in his findings and recommendations.

The first question asked of the AG in his press conference was "who is accountable" for this mess? He provided no clear response.

Cabinet knew F-35's cost: auditor

Topics: 
Government ethics, Government transparency, Public Works, National Defence, Procurement process
Rating: 
0

Lee Berthiaume – April 6, 2012

Canada's auditor general dropped a bombshell Thursday when he said the Conservative government would have known before the last election that the F-35 fighter jet program would cost at least $10 billion more than what National Defence was telling Parliament and the public.

Auditor General Michael Ferguson refused to say whether the government allowed Canadians to be misled, but his comments have thrown more fuel onto a fire that has already seen the opposition call for House Speaker Andrew Scheer to launch an investigation.

Cluster bomb treaty negotiator fears watered down bill

Topics: 
Foreign Affairs, National Defence, Defence industry
Rating: 
0

The Canadian Press – February 16, 2012

Canada's former chief negotiator on a treaty to rid the world of dangerous cluster munitions is urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper not to succumb to pressure to water down the treaty. Earl Turcotte told Harper in a Feb. 10 letter that Canada's ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions "is long overdue."

Turcotte urged the prime minister to hang tough on the negotiating position that he helped craft as Canada's lead negotiator on the treaty. Turcotte has warned that Canadian troops could be complicit in the deaths of innocent civilians if the government proceeds with weak recommendations.

Defence officials hid cost of Nortel campus renos

Topics: 
Government transparency, National Defence, Procurement process
Rating: 
3

David Pugliese – November 28, 2011

Senior Defence Department officials kept the multimillion-dollar price tag for renovating the Nortel campus under wraps, worried the public, media and parliamentarians might raise concerns about the bill if they found out about the cost.

Last week, the Citizen reported DND will spend more than $600 million on preparing the Nortel site to be its main location in Ottawa. That is on top of the $208 million the government spent to purchase the Carling Avenue campus.

Pages

Subscribe to National Defence