Mr. Speaker, the minister talks about what a great job the military troops are doing. I say that is absolutely true, but it is in spite of his leadership, not because of it.
The minister also just said that he would like to hear from serving officers. The truth is that these people are afraid to talk. Only when there is safety in retirement do people like Major-Generals Brian Vernon and Lewis MacKenzie say things like: "Jean Boyle has lost the trust of his troops and should resign. He is not credible to those who are serving this country. Soldiers are embarrassed to wear their uniforms in public". What a sad day it is when we see soldiers and troops who are absolutely ashamed to drive around in their vehicles in their uniforms.
My question to the defence minister is this, and I will give him a hint that this is no riddle: Just how many major-generals does it take to get the defence minister to do the honourable thing and fire Jean Boyle?