Politicizing Military Operations

It was reported Tuesday that the federal government has ordered military and diplomatic officials operating in Afghanistan to cease speaking to the media for the duration of the election campaign.  Presumably the Conservative Party is concerned that something may be said or some information may be disclosed that will either distract from the party's campaign messaging, or at worst attract criticism at a crucial time in the election. While at first blush this may not seem all that extraordinary, we at The Writ would suggest that this is both significant and entirely inappropriate.

It is improper because the military, and other officers of the Crown engaged in the business of furthering the national interest abroad, ought not to be co-opted by the governing party for the purpose of furthering its political agenda. There has to be a clear line separating the political operations of a party involved in an election, and the actions of the professional members of executive branch of government.

One does not have to think back far to recall the imbroglio South of the border when members of George Bush's White House started firing prosecutors and holding meetings on election strategy with ministerial officers. While muzzling the military may not rise to the level of requiring officials to actively participate in electioneering, it nonetheless crosses the line, and effectively imposes political imperatives on operations in a theatre of war.

What is more, it is improper because it prevents disclosure of information to the Canadian public. Simply because the nation has entered an election campaign is no reason for suddenly cutting off the flow of information to the Canadian people about important foreign policy issues that could significantly impact the national interest.

The issue is in fact important for this very reason. The incident reflects just one more instance in a series of incidents that have unfolded over the last several years that fly in the face of the Harper government's initial platform of more open and transparent government. On the contrary, its actions have reflected a disdain for political accountability, and a contempt for the notion that the public has a right to know how its government is operating. While recent events have highlighted the government's contempt for Parliament, the representatives of the people, there is a broader trend of more general secrecy and unaccountability in the operations of this government. This is a theme that we will be exploring as we continue to follow the unfolding campaign. - CM.