Liberal Contempt for Border Guards

<>Today in Question Period Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, was answering a question about Border guards who walked off the job because they were not able to protect themselves. During Minister Day’s answer, Derek Lee (Liberal, Scarborough-Rouge River), was heard to call out “Wimps!” (referring to the Border guards). When admonished by government members to cease and desist, he proceeded to hurl the same epithet at our Border Services another 10-15 times.

At the end of Question Period, Mr. Day rose on a point of order and asked the Liberal MP to offer an apology to the brave members of the Border Services. Mr. Lee stood to respond and, rather than apologize, he continued to excoriate the Border guards. He stated clearly that his respect extended only to those who chose to stay on the job and refused to apologize to the guards who left their post because of an imminent threat against which they had no means to respond.

<>To his credit, NDP member Charlie Angus joined Minister Day in his plea for an apology; none was forthcoming however. This is yet another example of the Liberal contempt for the security of our borders, and the brave men and women who police them. Paul Martin’s idea of protecting our sovereignty was to “talk trash” against the Americans. Thankfully our new Conservative government has taken a different tack and offered our Border guards the arms and training they need to credibly protect our borders. Together with the investments in our military and the assertion of our claim on the north, PM Harper’s initiatives are proving to be practical and material, rather than the harsh rhetoric and bluster from the Liberals. Perhaps there should be a ‘hot air credit’ under the Kyoto Accord for all the smoke and pollution on the Liberal side of the aisle. <>

- TruBlue