'Mr. Martin, taking no chances with a possible non-confidence motion, yesterday ordered Veterans Affairs Minister Albina Guarnieri to cancel her attendance at a week of ceremonies celebrating the Second World War liberation of Holland and rush back to Ottawa.
The move caused veterans organizations to express anger and dismay over the celebrations in Holland being left without any political representation.
Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson will lead the Canadian delegation, but the only MP still in Europe, the NDP defence critic, Peter Stoffer, was told to remain in London on alert for a quick flight back to Ottawa, rather than proceeding to the Netherlands.
The Prime Minister had been scheduled to attend the ceremonies. Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Defence Minister Bill Graham also cancelled overseas trips in order to remain close to the Commons.
While the four parties blamed each other for the stay-at-home rule, veterans organizations blamed them all.
"That doesn't go down well, especially with our World War II vets and our Korean War vets who have left some of their best friends buried there," said Bob Butt, chief spokesman for the Canadian Legion. "What they fought for was a system of government that we've maintained -- a free and open government. What they're getting from these people who are elected, who really actually manage this nation -- whether they be in power or not -- is not really what they were fighting for."'
Thanks for laying down your lives for us, guys... thanks for suffering and going through hell and fighting for our freedom and for what's right... but we can't make it to the VE Day ceremonies to honour your sacrifice 'cause we're too busy bickering and trying to cover our asses after a collosal screw-up.
I LOVE this country.
I hear on the news behind me that they've decided to go after all, but TOO LATE. To my mind, the damage's done.
