"Can you see us now Mr. MacKay?"

Royal Military College To Have Clean Windows Says Peter McKay ... Fewer Profs But Clean Windows


Posted by David Pugliese
Thursday, April 12, 2012 

David Pugliese is a journalist with the Ottawa Citizen specializing in military issues. He can be contacted at dpugliese@ottawacitizen.com.


Defence Watch

Defence Minister Peter MacKay continued to be hammered by opposition parties Wednesday. As Lee Berthiaume of Postmedia News points out, the opposition MPs accused MacKay of incompetence after he incorrectly claimed that the F-35s’ $25-billion cost estimate came from the parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page — when it was actually his own department’s numbers.

The Conservatives, in turn, pointed to a 2004 Liberal government announcement about military helicopters as proof that excluding salary and fuel costs has been common practice for years, and alleged the Grits are simply trying to score cheap political points, as Postmedia noted.

MacKay’s officials also had another tactic ready which was designed to get some good press for the minister. They issued an unprecedented number of press releases – 7 in total the same day.

The releases covered everything from a window-cleaning contract at RMC (no mention though of the 68 profs whose jobs are on the line) to a $33,000 painting contract. Each, noted MacKay, proved that the government was “continuing to provide the Canadian economy with local jobs sustained by these defence infrastructure projects.”

Each press release also carried the reassuring claim that the Canadian Forces “is a first-class military.”

At least it was an easy day for the public affairs folks. They just kept using the same MacKay quote (which they manufactured any ways) for all the press releases.

Read on and feel reassured:

1) OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – April 11, 2012) – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced seven contracts for roof repair; for the construction of a work area at Defence Research and Development Canada’s (DRDC) plastic department; for the replacement of a section of the cold ethylene glycol network of the Headquarters; for the replacement of outside siding, for the dismantlement of an existing electric hoist and purchase and installation of a new one; for the fit-up of a controlled storage area at DRDC’s facility; and for the installation of a gas exhaust system at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier. The overall value of the contracts is $507,842.

“These initiatives demonstrate our government’s continued commitment to our men and women in uniform,” said Minister MacKay. “Our forces deserve the top-of-the-line infrastructure in order to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

The Canadian Forces is a first-class, modern military delivering excellence at a home and is a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America making meaningful contributions to international security.

2) OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – April 11, 2012) – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced four contract awards for a classroom extension to a training building, power supply upgrade to Range C, pipe chase asbestos abatement, and DG offices fit-up in the Ottawa area. The overall value of the contracts is $540,463.

“The Government is continuing to provide the Canadian economy with local jobs sustained by these defence infrastructure projects,” said Minister MacKay.

The Canadian Forces is a first-class, modern military delivering excellence at a home and is a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America making meaningful contributions to international security.

3) OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – April 11, 2012) – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced a contract award to Dereck Penney Electrical Ltd. for renovation to a garage at HMCS Cabot in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The contract is valued at $19,360, and will help sustain the economy in the community and region.

“The Government is continuing to provide the Canadian economy with local jobs sustained by defence infrastructure projects,” said Minister MacKay.

The Canadian Forces is a first-class, modern military delivering excellence at a home and is a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America making meaningful contributions to international security.

4) OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – April 11, 2012) – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced two contract awards for RMC Window Cleaning and to upgrade lighting in the Dining Hall at Canadian Forces Base Kingston. The overall value of the contracts is $333,702.

“The Government is continuing to provide the Canadian economy with local jobs sustained by defence infrastructure projects,” said Minister Mackay.

The Canadian Forces is a first-class, modern military delivering excellence at a home and is a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America making meaningful contributions to international security.

5) OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – April 11, 2012) – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced a contract award to Lexcon Limited o/a C.I.P. Services for painting at HMCS Star in London, Ontario. The contract is valued at $33,020.

“The Government is determined to improve infrastructure across the Canadian Forces and is moving forward on this much needed project,” said Minister MacKay.

The Canadian Forces is a first-class, modern military delivering excellence at a home and is a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America making meaningful contributions to international security.

6) OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – April 11, 2012) – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced four contract awards for the Halifax Armouries North-East elevation masonry and window repairs pilot project, window and entranceway replacements, Windsor Park upgrade of electrical services, and the relocation of heating zone valves and piping in 3476 Wolfe Cresent at Canadian Forces Base Halifax. The overall value of the contracts is $560,295.

“The Government is continuing to provide the Canadian economy with local jobs sustained by these defence infrastructure projects,” said the Minister MacKay.

The Canadian Forces is a first-class, modern military delivering excellence at a home and is a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America making meaningful contributions to international security.

7) OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – April 11, 2012) – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced three contract awards for the replacement of sprinkler systems, refinishing of the Drill Hall floor, and concrete pads at the Area Support Unit Toronto. The overall value of the contracts is $220,174.

“These initiatives demonstrate our government’s continued commitment to our men and women in uniform,” said Minister MacKay. “Our forces deserve the top-of-the-line infrastructure in order to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

The Canadian Forces is a first-class, modern military delivering excellence at a home and is a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America making meaningful contributions to international security.