Mr. Speaker, the NDP views the preoccupation of Parliament with the fate of the defence minister and General Boyle as politically unfortunate. It has let the Liberals off the hook on other issues.
Nevertheless, the Prime Minister and the minister of defence have been disappointing in their stalwart defence of General Boyle.
The Prime Minister is right to say that the inquiry should be allowed to do its work but the Prime Minister should do his work.
To question General Boyle is not to attack or criticize the enlisted men and women of the Canadian forces who are distinguishing themselves at home and abroad.
To imply that questioning General Boyle is an attack on all who serve in the forces is false and a cheap rhetorical tactic. To imply that all General Boyle's internal critics are only motivated by resistance to change in the department is also false. There is a legitimate question of leadership here and it is hard to argue that General Boyle is the one to provide it.
The Prime Minister should be wary that his twisting, evasive and often shallow defence of General Boyle is enough to make some Canadians wonder about his leadership abilities. It is time he stopped bragging about his standing in the polls. Pride goeth before a fall.