Opposition MPs Want Answers On Why The Canadian Forces Ombudsman Is Being Blocked by the Harper Government?

Opposition MPs are crying foul over the issue involving the latest watchdog to run into a roadblock/roadblocks with the Conservative government.

Canadian Forces Ombudsman Pierre Daigle is being stonewalled in his request to view cabinet documents, including those that deal with the failure of the Canadian Forces and the DND to increase dismemberment coverage for reservists. Daigle doesn’t want to report on documents – he just wants to examine them to find out why the government won’t provide better coverage for part-time soldiers.

The exchange in the Commons on Monday was heated. The NDP’s Matthew Kellway said, “Canada’s military ombudsman is the latest on a long list of watchdogs who the Conservatives are blocking from doing their jobs. The ombudsman apparently had the audacity to request documents while investigating care for reservists. These are documents for an investigation. The Conservatives said no. The excuse was cabinet confidentiality.”

He wanted to know why the government won’t co-operate?

Defence Minister Peter MacKay responded but didn’t actually answer the question. “We continue to have a very productive and transparent relationship with the ombudsman and his office,” he said. “We respect his work and that of his office with respect to the Department of National Defence and that under his purview. We will continue to work with his office within the mandate and the review of the law.”

MacKay also added: “We have made progress on ten of the twelve recommendations.”

That is not what the Ombudsman’s report stated, however. Daigle’s report from last week actually found that only four out of 12 recommendations from the 2008 report on reserve soldiers had been acted upon. Another six were still being organized and two others had completely fallen off the map.

MacKay then went on to repeat his same answer to the NDP’s Christine Moore when she asked about the ombudsman’s concerns.

In September MacKay subtly warned Daigle not to cross the line and become an advocate for men and women in uniform. “I see the main role of an ombudsman as a mediator who is always working to resolve complaints and problems, “ MacKay said at the start of an international military ombudsmen conference hosted by Daigle. “There is a difference from advocacy.”

Original Article
Source: ottawa citizen
Author: David Pugliese