One cannot take comfort in last night's dismissal of Maxime Bernier as Foreign Minister. However, the progressive movement in Canada has warned Prime Minister Harper on several occasions of Bernier's lack of judgment on a number of issues -- including on Afghanistan (when he suggested a provincial governor be fired) and Burma (when he promised C-17 planes to deliver relief supplies -- turns out they weren't ready and he had to beg Russia to let a cargo jet). However, it was his leaving a top secret briefing docket for an upcoming NATO summit at the residence of his ex-girlfriend that proved to be the final straw.
Julie Couillard, Bernier's ex and a security consultant herself, apparently understood the gravity of this breach of national security as she says she herself has a security clearance (or so she says). She also knows her reputation has been tarnished due to her past association with biker gang members and continues to fear for her safety -- as well as she should. One should give her some credit for returning the dossier to Foreign Affairs.
In my opinion, however, the real issue is Harper himself. If he shows bad judgment in his choice closest circle of advisors, the advisors that have say on both our public safety and our foreign policy, then it shows his judgment as a leader. A policy wonk whose greatest contribution to our national discussion was a plausible and rational argument for a flat income tax would not have been most people's first choice to be head of foreign affairs. It also raises questions as to what other ministers have breached national security.
One can certainly fault Harper for being a control freak, but there are some things -- including sensitive diplomatic communications -- that the public just doesn't need to know about. On top of another security breach, the disposal of draft blueprints for our new counterterrorism headquarters in the regular trash, one wonders who is truly making us safe.
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