Confusion reigns as defence contract opens for bids

This is just complete amateur hour by the Harper government and another example of them being embarrassed by their own gaffs.

Just another example of the lack of respect this and most goverments have had for the men and women of the forces

A good example of the leadership abilities of the Cons.

What a bunch of idiots.

I saw this on a t-shirt:

"The Canadian Forces. Equipped by the lowest bidder since 1967."

Yet more proof that the Conservatives aren't the big defence spenders they like to claim they are.

Well, boots, I think they have equipped the CF for the mission they are carrying out right now, as in Afghanistan.

On icebreakers, patrol aircraft, big boats etc, which social program should they cut in this recession to fund your pet project?

We've been here before. The Liberals have always inflicted damage on the CF. Mulroney didn't do the troops any favours but Chretien and Martin did little.

At least DART can get to Tsunami now that we have C17's. The Liberal plan was to rent Ukranian aircraft.

Spare me the partisan digs because on procurement and the military the Liberals lose everytime.

Lol funny.

"another example..." "just another example..." "a good example.." and "yet another proof..."

there's only kenny missing and we are done with the pro-liberal partisanery I guess.

So we're using SAR planes in Afghanistan? Please enlighten me, because I was sure the article states they are for use in Canada...

You can trot out the same old arguments (Afghanistan first & Liberals are cheap) but the fact is that the Cons created the "Canada First" platform and had several key systems which were the basis of it. Several of them have now been cancelled or delayed, so that's proof in the pudding as they say. They promised $160 billion for new destroyers, frigates, tanks, LAVs planes, you name it, but they parse it out in the same damn tiny dribs and drabs as the Liberals ever did. When the Liberals did it, they were bastards, but now that Harper does it, it's a-ok? For all Harper's crowing, his spending is barely above what Martin projected when he was in office.

If Harper was as great as you think he is, he would have upped defence spending to $25 or $30 billion...but did he? Nope, still the came crappy $1 billion or so annual increases Chretien and Martin gave the CF.

Where's your condemnation of that? Or his constant announcing and re-announcing of the same defence spending over and over?

I've never said the Liberals were better in the defence portfolio (Lord knows they haven't been since the mid-60s...pre-Trudeau), but it's laughable that you and many of the vets here defend the Cons cheapo charlie spending habits to the death, when if it was Chretien/Martin/Dion/Ignatief doing the exact same thing, you'd all be pissing and moaning like the whiny ass hypocrites you are.

Face it, you're just as partisan as Derby and the lefties you constantly attack.


There's a word for that...hypocrite.

Nah, I still have a debatable bone in me and I'll have some of the things you say. I just think that Harper has been more focused on what we can do, what we are doing and what the CF needs.
I agree, he's broken many promises and really, on Defence, me and thee are not too far apart.
Maybe I went a tad overboard in painting you as a partisan and for that I apologise.

I guess I shouldn't be so touchy on defence, but it's really an important issue for me, unlike most Canadians (sadly). Sorry for my outburst too.

No worries mate. We are on the same page.