Government Deep Sixes Announcement of Cuts to Forces -- Hiding Naval Cuts is Wrong

The announcement itself is troubling -- Canada's naval forces are woefully in need of upgrade -- but the timing of the announcement (Friday night at 830 pm) is downright preposterous.

Yes governments do time announcements to sink or swim but really, 830 pm is too much.

What's more this shouldn't be a political football. If, in truth, the government can do better for less money then let's hear that and everyone will support it. If, on the other hand, this government is continuing a tradition of starving the Forces then we should all know of it.

For too long the need to cut budgets has fallen on the Forces -- and Canada's north needs naval force if it is to remain Canadian. This is not a political matter; it is a critical national need all Parties should recognize.

Navy's support ship replacement program scuttled

The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The Conservative government has quietly scuttled the navy's $2.9-billion project to replace its aging supply ships, saying bids from the shipbuilding industry were "significantly" higher than the money set aside for the program.

It has also cancelled a tender call for the purchase of 12 mid-shore patrol ships for the Coast Guard.

The decisions were announced in a statement issued at 8:30 Friday night by Public Works Minister Christian Paradis.

"These vessels are a key priority of the Government of Canada," Mr. Paradis said in the release.

"However, the government must ensure that Canadian taxpayers receive the best value for their money."

Both National Defence and the Fisheries and Oceans Department are considering "the next steps," Mr. Paradis added. But the decision to halt the Joint Support Ship project is a major blow to a navy that is already struggling to keep its existing 1960s vintage replenishment ships — HMCS Preserver and Protecteur — in the water.

Full story here:

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James Morton
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