DEFENCE POLICY: CONSERVATIVES THE NEW LIBERALS

National Defence critic Gordon O'Connor (Brig. Gen. ret'd) blows it, in my opinion.

O'Connor said he strongly supports streamlined military procurement practices, but he says the Liberal method will hurt competition and favour certain products - Lockheed Martin's C-130J transport plane, for example.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has said getting what the military needs takes precedence over regional and industrial benefits.

O'Connor said he also supports what he calls the "sensible" Liberal concept of setting out requirements based on performance needs. But he said regional and industrial benefits are a must in any military procurement.

It's the regional and industrial benefits that the Liberals have previously always pushed, for votes, that have in large measure made the equipment acquisition process so overly slow and costly.

And if O'Connor can suggest a better plane than the C-130J for the tactical transport, why does he not do so?

Posted by markc at December 5, 2005 09:53 AM | TrackBack