PimpBrewski123 PimpBrewski123:
Sounds a bit harsh there Bootlegga.
Sure, there are some delays, mostly due to some environment issues, as in any other projects. Although, admittingly, it would be preferred to get this project going, the sooner the better. That point of yours is understandable. Still though, by taking the time to examine the project and be rational, in the end, could prove to be the better option as it could prevent more wasteful spending by the Federal Govt.
Still, does not make the least bit of difference the political party, whether it be Libs, CPC or NDP, there is bureaucracy. Although, had it been another political party, *cough* Liberals *cough* you can bet anything that this story would have never been published.
Not IMHO. WE just spent $100 odd billion on Canada's Economic Action Plan and built roads, bridges, you name it all over the country, yet they didn't have the funding to build a tiny little port?
Sorry, but that is proof that the Conservatives aren't any better than the Liberals when it comes to defence spending. The Liberals planned on spending $2.9 billion for three JSS (which MacKay also supported in 2007 BTW) - and it took DND so long to decide on a design that by that time, the price went up to $3.5 billion dollars for three ships. But are we getting three ships? Nope, the Conservatives announced last year that they'll go back to the drawing board and buy two ships for around three billion dollars.
Does that make sense to you? It sure as hell doesn't make any sense to me, especially when it's only an extra few hundred million - which when spread over the lifetime of the ships (40 years) is only maybe $20 million.
The Conservatives are willing to spend billions of dollars on 65 fighters (pick whichever estimate you want - high or low), but at the same time they are too cheap to buy three supply ships for the navy?
That's just the tip of the iceberg too.
Harper promised three heavy armed icebreakers for the Arctic in 2006. Instead, we're getting one - unarmed BTW, and six 'Arctic patrol vessels' - the so-called slushbreakers which are only capable of operating for a few months of the year in the Arctic. Just so you know, we currently have two heavy icebreakers - built by guess who - that's right the Liberals. They'll be replaced by one ship - the Diefenbaker in 2017.
See a pattern yet? When the big spending Conservatives replace a system, they replace it with fewer platforms - be it JSF, JSS, or icebreaker.
Like I said, so much for the idea that they are big spenders on defence. Harper is doing what every peacetime government before him has done - spend as little as possible simply because military spending does not get votes in Canada (unlike some other countries).
It's not really his fault (or that of any politician) - it's ours, simply because we don't demand more defence spending.
It's sad to say, but unless Canada gets in a war sometime soon, defence spending will always be a low priority with most Canadians. They are more concerned with jobs, health care, education, etc.
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