BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA

Not yet, but soon, hopefully. Tempest.  Storm.  Whirlwind.  CYCLONE.  It would seem that Canada's newest helicopter was aptly named, not for the downwash of its propeller, but for the type of controversy it would cause. By now, many of you have heard that the CH-148 Cyclone is pretty much a " done deal ".  Despite a brief period of threatening to take their business elsewhere , the Canadian government announced that they would be going ahead with the troubled Cyclone purchase.  This was done as a late Friday afternoon "info dump", a practice that indicates that they want the announcement to attract the least amount of attention.  Despite this, criticism has been ramping up, questioning the choices made and the money spent in what former Defence Minister Peter MacKay called  "the worst procurement in the history of Canada". Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it, so let's look at some of the lessons (hopefully) ...

Peter MacKay and Rona Ambrose announcing the "Reset". In today's Cabinet Shuffle , two of the most influential people in choosing Canada's next jet fighter saw themselves transferred to different departments and different responsibilities.  Peter MacKay, former Minister of Defense, is Canada's new Justice Minister.  Rona Ambrose, formerly in charge of Public Works, is now Canada's Minister of Health . Looking for the eject button? Peter MacKay himself has undergone the brunt of Canada's F-35 controversy, not to mention a controversial ride in a Cormorant helicopter.  It hasn't been an easy job by any means, with added delays to the Cyclone helicopter , service personnel needing to take extra jobs to pay bills , not to mention operations in Afghanistan. It's important to remember that, while he may have been the "face" of the Canada's Department of National Defense, MacKay is not the sole person to blame for any issues fa...