- Reaction score
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- Points
- 1,110
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030421.wmanl421/BNStory/National
Manley calls for beefed-up military
Canadian Press
Red Deer, Alta. — Canada must boost homeland security and invest in its military to mend relations with the United States, Deputy Prime Minister John Manley said Monday.
Mr. Manley agreed with U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci‘s take on strained relations as a "bump in the road" between the two countries, mostly due to Canada‘s decision not to take part in the Iraq war.
"But I think the test for us going forward is, how committed are we to North American security?" Mr. Manley asked.
"It‘s easy for us in Canada to think that 9/11 was long ago and far away, but it‘s not that long ago and far away in the minds of decision-makers, certainly in Washington and many parts of the United States."
Mr. Manley, a candidate to replace Prime Minister Jean Chrétien as federal Liberal leader, was in the central Alberta city to meet about three dozen local supporters. It was part of a four-day western swing through Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Jordan Sinclair, who wore a badge noting he was a curious Conservative, questioned Mr. Manley about how he would repair the "great damage" to Canada-U.S. relations.
"I speak with a lot of American people doing business," said Mr. Sinclair, manager of a Red Deer firm called Pro Tool City.
"Americans don‘t want to do business with Canadian companies right now because of our lack of support for the war in Iraq — right or wrong, I don‘t know."
Mr. Manley said "some of that will blow over" but said Canada must improve its security.
"That means partly Canadian Armed Forces need to be supported. They need to be capable of contributing to the defence of North America," he said.
"But it also means some practical things in our ports and airports."
However Mr. Manley, who has defended Canada‘s decision not to join the war, said it was consistent with national policy not to support military action not endorsed by the United Nations.
On another topic, Mr. Manley said Ottawa must do more to listen to Albertans.
"I think we need to be putting a lot of our emphasis on including Alberta.
"It‘s one of our most dynamic provinces; it‘s a strong economy, its people are entrepreneurial and I don‘t think that Canada can work well without harnessing the energy and the involvement of Albertans.
Mr. Manley wants an elected Senate and one that better represents the country‘s regions.
***
Actually, the most surprising about this article is that Manley said Canadian Armed Forces. I thought that was something like taboo with the Libs?
Manley calls for beefed-up military
Canadian Press
Red Deer, Alta. — Canada must boost homeland security and invest in its military to mend relations with the United States, Deputy Prime Minister John Manley said Monday.
Mr. Manley agreed with U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci‘s take on strained relations as a "bump in the road" between the two countries, mostly due to Canada‘s decision not to take part in the Iraq war.
"But I think the test for us going forward is, how committed are we to North American security?" Mr. Manley asked.
"It‘s easy for us in Canada to think that 9/11 was long ago and far away, but it‘s not that long ago and far away in the minds of decision-makers, certainly in Washington and many parts of the United States."
Mr. Manley, a candidate to replace Prime Minister Jean Chrétien as federal Liberal leader, was in the central Alberta city to meet about three dozen local supporters. It was part of a four-day western swing through Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Jordan Sinclair, who wore a badge noting he was a curious Conservative, questioned Mr. Manley about how he would repair the "great damage" to Canada-U.S. relations.
"I speak with a lot of American people doing business," said Mr. Sinclair, manager of a Red Deer firm called Pro Tool City.
"Americans don‘t want to do business with Canadian companies right now because of our lack of support for the war in Iraq — right or wrong, I don‘t know."
Mr. Manley said "some of that will blow over" but said Canada must improve its security.
"That means partly Canadian Armed Forces need to be supported. They need to be capable of contributing to the defence of North America," he said.
"But it also means some practical things in our ports and airports."
However Mr. Manley, who has defended Canada‘s decision not to join the war, said it was consistent with national policy not to support military action not endorsed by the United Nations.
On another topic, Mr. Manley said Ottawa must do more to listen to Albertans.
"I think we need to be putting a lot of our emphasis on including Alberta.
"It‘s one of our most dynamic provinces; it‘s a strong economy, its people are entrepreneurial and I don‘t think that Canada can work well without harnessing the energy and the involvement of Albertans.
Mr. Manley wants an elected Senate and one that better represents the country‘s regions.
***
Actually, the most surprising about this article is that Manley said Canadian Armed Forces. I thought that was something like taboo with the Libs?
