Prime Minister Stephen Harper has taken a chopper tour of flood-stricken southern Manitoba but apparently his government doesn't see any need for NDP Leader Tom Mulcair to see the disaster zone for himself.
Mulcair is in Winnipeg Wednesday, just as floodwaters are expected to crest in the southwestern part of the province. He is speaking to the media at 3 p.m. ET - CBCnews.ca is carrying the event live.
With the help of Premier Greg Selinger's office, Mulcair had arranged to get a briefing and a tour of a military command post that's co-ordinating the work of 500 soldiers who've been helping fill sandbags and shore up dikes along the swollen Assiniboine River.
Brig. Gen. Christian Juneau, commander of the third Canadian Division, had agreed to the tour, according to Mulcair's office.
All that was needed was a green light from Defence Minister Rob Nicholson.
Late Tuesday, Mulcair was informed that Nicholson had vetoed the visit. Nicholson's office did not respond to a request for an explanation.
'No reason' for minister to intervene: NDP
"It's disheartening to see the Conservatives play politics during a crisis," said Mulcair spokesman George Smith.
"This was a simple briefing that had been arranged with the military. There was no reason for the minister to go out of his way and intervene."
It's conceivable Nicholson doesn't want politicians getting in the way of relief efforts.
more
Tom Mulcair's tour of Manitoba flood zone vetoed by defence minister - Politics - CBC News
tom and the ceeb will be mad
hey, it saves money too.
at left: steve having a look ..................................right: sad, left-out tommy mulcair
then again, he's just an MP, not a Minister...maybe little tom should have chucked a few sandbags with folks and voila!...le photo op.
Mulcair is in Winnipeg Wednesday, just as floodwaters are expected to crest in the southwestern part of the province. He is speaking to the media at 3 p.m. ET - CBCnews.ca is carrying the event live.
With the help of Premier Greg Selinger's office, Mulcair had arranged to get a briefing and a tour of a military command post that's co-ordinating the work of 500 soldiers who've been helping fill sandbags and shore up dikes along the swollen Assiniboine River.
Brig. Gen. Christian Juneau, commander of the third Canadian Division, had agreed to the tour, according to Mulcair's office.
All that was needed was a green light from Defence Minister Rob Nicholson.
Late Tuesday, Mulcair was informed that Nicholson had vetoed the visit. Nicholson's office did not respond to a request for an explanation.
'No reason' for minister to intervene: NDP
"It's disheartening to see the Conservatives play politics during a crisis," said Mulcair spokesman George Smith.
"This was a simple briefing that had been arranged with the military. There was no reason for the minister to go out of his way and intervene."
It's conceivable Nicholson doesn't want politicians getting in the way of relief efforts.
more
Tom Mulcair's tour of Manitoba flood zone vetoed by defence minister - Politics - CBC News
tom and the ceeb will be mad
hey, it saves money too.
at left: steve having a look ..................................right: sad, left-out tommy mulcair
then again, he's just an MP, not a Minister...maybe little tom should have chucked a few sandbags with folks and voila!...le photo op.
