The Liberals have now joined the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois in demanding that Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor resign after admitting to misleading the House of Commons on the issue of Canada’s treatment of Afghanistan prisoners. In this exchange, from the just-concluded Question Period , Harper eventually rises to defend his minister and does so with what the Liberals say is an outrageous smear on their honour. Here’s the play-by-play:
Hon. Stéphane Dion (Leader of the Opposition, Lib.) :
Mr. Speaker, there are few things that are more important for the honour of a country than to protect human lives under its duty, including war detainees.It is clear that this Minister of Defence failed in his duty, even though he has often been briefed on this.
I have no other choice than to ask the Prime Minister to ask his Minister of Defence to do the honourable thing and resign.Hon. Gordon O'Connor (Minister of National Defence, CPC) :
Mr. Speaker, as I said in previous statements that my statements here in the House were made in good faith, based on the understanding that I had.I have taken action to ensure that our detainees are treated properly.
L'hon. Stéphane Dion (chef de l'opposition, Lib.) :
Monsieur le Président, le premier ministre doit comprendre que son ministre s'est montré négligent et incompétent sur un enjeu très grave pour un pays comme le Canada, soit la protection des vies humaines qui sont sous notre responsabilité.Le premier ministre ne peut pas garder son ministre de la Défense nationale, à moins que le premier ministre dise qu'il n'est pas important pour le Canada de protéger les vies humaines sous notre responsabilité.
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Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) :
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence has provided a clear explanation to the House of Commons. This government was, as he knows, at the time operating under an agreement signed by the previous government. We have since entered into a new arrangement with the Independent Afghan Human Rights Commission.I can understand the passion that the Leader of the Opposition and members of his party feel for Taliban prisoners. I just wish occasionally they would show the same passion for Canadian soldiers.
Then, a few minutes later:
Hon. Stéphane Dion (Leader of the Opposition, Lib.) :
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister made two shocking statements. First, he said that the government does not care about human rights, and second, that the official opposition does not care about Canadian soldiers.The Prime Minister must understand that he has insulted the entire Parliament with his statement and he should apologize.
Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) :
Mr. Speaker, I said absolutely no such thing. What I said clearly was that the government does care about this issue. That is precisely why the Minister of National Defence upon learning the information he learned has acted to correct the situation. We will continue to monitor the situation to make sure we make progress.The only other point I am making is that I would like to see more support in the House of Commons from all sides for Canadian men and women in uniform. I think Canadians expect that from parliamentarians in every party. They have not been getting it, and they deserve it.