Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Philip Earle

71 words · 3 sentences · 3 clauses

Replying to Martin Champoux (Bloc Québécois)
“Madam Speaker, is this not a way for the government to shirk some of its responsibility? Is it not a bit risky to create an agency to handle such crucial and sensitive defence investments? Questions are already being raised. First, there is the appointment of the agency’s president, who is close to the Prime Minister and has a background at Goldman Sachs. Then, that person’s salary is around $700,000 a year, which is more than that of most senior public servants. That is more than what the Minister of Finance and National Revenue himself earns, and it is more than the Prime Minister’s salary, though interest on his investments is not included in that figure. I wonder if this is a way for the government to offload some of its responsibility. When there are questionable decisions, when there are suspicions of misconduct or scandals, which could happen, even if it is just cases of misconduct that need to be investigated, the government might then be able to claim that it was not them, that it was the agency, and that it cannot be held responsible. On the contrary, when it comes to defence investments, it is absolutely essential for the government to be at the helm.”
Statement grade
–
Not graded
A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
Procedure 18%Claims 15%Reasoning 66%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Madam Speaker, Procedure · 13 wordsI would say to my hon. colleague that it is quite the opposite.Procedure Claims · 11 wordsSetting up a Crown corporation would take it away from politics. Reasoning · 47 wordsIt would allow people who are trained and experts in the field, who will most likely sit on the board of directors, to direct the procurement policy and get the best deal for Canadians so we can buy the products and items that our Canadian Forces need.

Analysed on