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'Always room for improvement,' PM says after McCallum's plea

Rick Mofina
The Ottawa Citizen; with files from the Calgary Herald

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is leaving the door open to pumping more money into Canada's military, which Defence Minister John McCallum has portrayed as demoralized and cash-starved.

"There is nothing perfect in any department, there is always room for improvement. And if the minister said that he wants to make improvements in his department, so much the better," Mr. Chrétien said yesterday during question period.

Opposition MPs assailed the Liberals for Mr. McCallum's recent speech, in which he said Canada's military is stretched to the limit. The defence minister called on his government to spend part of its budgetary surplus on recruiting and equipping more troops. Some expect the federal surplus this fiscal year could reach $10 billion.

The Canadian Alliance and the Tories accused Mr. McCallum of creating confusion by contradicting government policy. Mr. McCallum had suggested in recent months that Canada's military was getting all the money it needs, said Leon Benoit, Alliance defence critic.

"Then, in his speech last Friday, the minister said that the military has been starved so badly that it cannot protect the safety of our citizens and the sovereignty of our nation," Mr. Benoit said. "Explain how this government can spend enough money and not enough money all in the same week?"

Mr. McCallum dismissed the criticism.

"What I said in my speech was very clear, that yes, the government had invested $5 billion in future years into the military and yes, the government at the end of the day will be deciding on the priorities. However, in my humble opinion, I submit respectfully that more resources for the military might be one matter that the government might consider."

Mr. McCallum has been reviewing military priorities since July. On Friday, he used his first major speech since becoming minister five months ago to make clear he agrees with a growing chorus of opinion that the Armed Forces are stretched beyond the limit and need a substantial injection of cash.

Outside the Commons yesterday, Mr. McCallum was cautious about reading Mr. Chrétien's words as full support.

"I certainly was very pleased with the prime minister's answer," he said, adding it was premature to determine the depth of support within the cabinet for increased military spending, "but, as I said in the House, it's a very good time to be minister of national defence."

Support for more military spending, which traditionally comes from retired generals, is now coming from Liberal doves like Tom Axworthy and Lloyd Axworthy, former foreign affairs minister, Mr. McCallum said. Earlier yesterday, Mr. McCallum was coy as he exited the cabinet meeting, saying only that other Liberals liked his speech.

Mr. McCallum didn't mention a dollar figure, but in his speech he said the planned infusion of $5 billion through 2005-06 wasn't enough. The budget this year is $11.3 billion.

The government should commit at least $2 billion more a year in the forces, said Corrie Adolph, whose teenage son recently joined the Canadian Forces. The Alberta mother took her drive to get the government to boost its defence spending to Parliament Hill yesterday
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