As I have said previously I am happy that our governments, both Federally and now Provincially, have finally stepped up to a reasonable degree to help the victims of the Tsunami in SE Asia. However I find it hard to ignore that our Federal Governments response, and leadership, was less than inspiring on this issue. It seems to me that the Liberal decision process involves what can they get away with, not what is the right thing to do. In the sponsorship scandal and the gun-registry scandal it is how far can we stretch the laws (sponsorship) and fiscal imprudence (gun-registry) before we do something about it and when we do something how little can we do and get way with it. How little can we fund our military and still call ourselves peace-keepers. And finally (in this post, there is so much more) how little can we do to support the survivors of the Tsunami and claim the high-ground of spreading Canadian-values throughout the world. Well it looks like the Liberal Government is playing catch-up agian and Jim Travers of the Torotnto Star brings us the high (I mean low)-lights:
...On top of a relief commitment that expanded exponentially this week from a miserly, embarrassing and wholly inadequate $4 million to a more generous, if still inadequate, $40 million, the sudden activity is intended to reassure the country that the government is on the job, understands the magnitude of the problem and will do all that it can to ease suffering that is just beginning. It's the right message, delivered late to the wrong people.
...Here in Ottawa, a government promising to shove Canada back into the vanguard of conscientious nations was both penny-pinching and uncertain when the moment came to abandon talk for action. What was needed was instant cash and the clear political direction to cut through domestic and international red-tape to support those non-governmental agencies already on the ground and capable of delivering the most help in the least time.
Instead of reconnaissance teams, reports and debt moratoriums, the government needed to move fast. But those quick reflexes and that bold leadership were missing.
...In reacting too cautiously and from too far away, Martin's government missed a rare opportunity to rise to an extraordinary challenge. In trying to manage a crisis rather than leading the rescue, it fell short.
And in falling short, it exposed some of its own weaknesses.
I have tried to give PM Martin the benefit of doubt on many issues and I have lauded him for his efforts in Sudan, however in this situation it looks like his Moroccan vacation was more important to him than doing the right thing.
Update: Hat-tip to Norman's Spectator
