Liberals’ defence consultations offer predictable results, questionable benefits, say critics

Opposition MPs are accusing the government of using the consultation process as rubber stamp.

Conservative defence critic James Bezan (left) said voters he has spoken with expressed concern that the Liberal government will ignore responses from the ongoing public consultations on defence policy that run counter to its stated views, while his NDP counterpart Randall Garrison (right) worries that the Trudeau government used the process to make it easier to selectively choose responses that suit its needs. Liberal MP Karen McCrimmon (centre), however, is expressing optimism about the consultations, applauding the government for engaging with Canadians.The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright

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BY MARCO VIGLIOTTI

July 27, 2016

Critics are accusing the Liberal government of using ongoing public consultations on defence policy to obscure dissenting opinions and selectively choose responses that correspond with its views on the file. NDP defence critic Randall Garrison (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, B.C.) said he fears the go...

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