The Harper Tories are being accused of slurping eggnog and eating bonbons instead of making Parliament work when it comes to dealing with the controversy over the Afghan detainees.
For the second week in a row the Tories are boycotting the special committee dealing with Afghan detainees, in an effort to shut down the controversy.
NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar came out just before the meeting was to begin today, accusing the Harper Conservatives of having a “real contempt for Parliament”.
The Afghan detainee issue has been very troubling for the Conservatives for the last part of the fall.
Boycotting the committee today and last week has helped take some of the heat off of the government, according to at least one national opinion poll.
“The Conservatives's work ethic is in question here,” he said, comparing the fact that the Tories do not want to interrupt their Christmas break to come to Ottawa for the meeting. Meanwhile in Washington, legislation is to be voted on Christmas Eve.
He was referring to President Barack Obama’s health bill that is to be voted on in the Senate hours before Christmas day.
Mr. Dewar’s accusations of Tories drinking eggnog and eating chocolates was a cheeky paraphrasing of a letter from Laurie Hawn (below), the parliamentary secretary to the minister of defence, to the committee clerk explaining the absence of he and his colleagues.
In the letter, Mr. Hawn writes that Conservative MPs will “not be attending Tuesday’s meeting."
“The Christmas and Holiday Season is a time to spend with family, friends and loved ones,” he wrote. “One would hope that only the most serious of emergencies should interfere with these moments.
“There is presently nothing urgent needing study on the subject of Taleban (sic) prisoners. The alleged events in question took place over 3 years ago under two different Governments. Subsequently, Canada’s prisoner policy was improved by the present Government and remains the ‘Gold standard’ of our NATO allies,” he wrote, in the letter dated Dec. 21.
“… (they are) more interesting in hanging out at home, fa la la la la,” said Mr. Dewar. “This is important foreign policy.”
Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae also met with the media before the meeting. He said that in no way is the Prime Minister going to “dictate” this story.
“Mr. Harper, for a guy who is a control freak he seems to be saying 'I am not in charge of anything' … he’s just going to go from Christmas to the Olympics and hopes that everybody forgets about everything,” said Mr. Rae, referring to rumours that Mr. Harper may also shut down Parliament - or prorogue - until after the Vancouver Olympics.
“And that isn’t going to work,” he said. “There is no way we are going to let this guy dictate the work of the committee or shut down Parliament, effectively shutting us down from what we’re able to do.”
Despite the Tory boycott, the opposition is continuing to hold hearings today. Former senior diplomat Gar Pardy is to testify.
He was the impetus behind a letter that more that 100 former senior diplomats and ambassadors signed, supporting diplomat Richard Colvin, whose explosive testimony has reignited this controversy. They argue that the government’s attack on his character was unfair.
“This is serious stuff here, said Mr. Rae. “We have to keep doing what we can. We have an obligation to keep going and have an obligation to get as much information out to the public as we can.”
December 21, 2009
RE: AFGH #20, Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Dear Ms. De Pape,
I am writing to inform the committee that Conservative Party members of the Special Committee on Canada's Mission in Afghanistan will not to be attending Tuesday's meeting called under Standing Order 106.4.
The Christmas and Holiday Season is a time to spend with family, friends, and loved ones. One would hope that only the most serious of emergencies should interfere with these moments.
There is presently nothing urgent needing study on the subject of Taleban prisoners. The alleged events in question took place over 3 years ago under two different Governments. Subsequently, Canada's prisoner policy was improved by the present Government and remains the "Gold standard" of our NATO allies.
Please pass this correspondence along to opposition members so they do not make unnecessary travel arrangements during this Christmas and Holiday season.
I would also like to wish yourself and all committee staff a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays over the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Laurie Hawn, MP
Edmonton Centre
cc: Rick Casson, MP
Chair of the Special Committee of Canada's Mission in Afghanistan
