Art Eggleton speaking to the committee hearing his case of "misleading the house" February 20, 2002

National Security

   
St. Boniface - Wednesday, March 6, 2002 - by: Mike Reilly
   

stolen
documents

The Federal government is under fire for not responding to reports that stolen immigration documents have been used to bring people into Canada illegally. Allegedly, Immigration officials have been aware of this since November but have done nothing to stop it.

 

 

Sept. 11

One would assume that since September 11, any threat to Canadian security would receive the highest attention.

 

 

Senate

This weekend, the PM dismissed a Senate report calling for increases in funding and staffing to the military, and greater security at Canada's ports.

 

 

not
important

Combine these lapses in responsibility with last December's Auditor General's report (in which she claimed significant increases in funding were needed for Canada's military to meet minimum performance expectations), and it is no surprise Minister Eggleton did not understand the nature of the briefings he received from senior staff. His Ottawa environment does not encourage him to take direct involvement with any issues unless they represent a direct benefit to the Prime Minister or one of the leadership hopefuls.
   

liberal
leadership

If Canadians want the Liberal government to seriously consider issues concerning national security, perhaps senior government officials should submit future briefings in terms of how the information will secure the party leadership for the reader.

 

 

 

Mike Reilly