HAH! #6 (en francais)

Defence - long the poor step-child of both the Liberals and NDP. Paul Martin uses the military to attempt to buy an MPs vote - committing troops to Darfur without even telling the country they're coming. The Sea King helicopters were already old when I first flew in one in 1984. Jean Chretien cancelled the replacement over 13 years ago and our Air Force is still waiting for a replacement. The NDP wouldn't know what a parachute was for if they fell out of a Herc.

Neither party has a reasonable plan for saving the Canadian military. The military itself took the unprecedented step during the last election to cost out each parties program - and they declared the Conservatives to be necessary, possible and realistic.

With great fanfare, the Liberals have announced (and re-announced, and re-announced...) money for various programs for the military. Problem is, most of this money won't start flowing for at least 2 to 3 years, with the majority coming in the4th and 5th year. Coming from a party who has decimated the Armed Forces for the last 12 years, even these paltry amounts are suspect.

MP Gordon O'Connor, a retired Brigadier-General with 33 years of service, has spearheaded the Conservatives military policy.

Contrary to what the Liberals would have you believe:

vii) The Conservative Party supports:

a) Canada’s participation in negotiation of a North American Missile Defence System on the clear understanding that any agreement must serve Canada’s interest;

viii) The Conservative Party believes that a viable Canadian Defence Industry contributes to our national security and our industrial productivity, through such sectors as shipbuilding, aerospace, electronics, and land systems among others. Defence procurement will, subject to availability, quality and cost, support Canadian industry that can meet military requirements. The Conservative Party also believes that it is essential to ensure Canadian defence industry has access to the United States defence procurement market.

Call me crazy, but continually referring to your neighbour and largest trading partner as "bastards" tends to erode good relationships.

Canada First Defence Policy - realistic and necessary. A Conservative government will make it happen - not serve up more useless announcements.