This time, Defence Minister Rob Nicholson and the
federal Conservative government have accused former military general Andrew Leslie
of ripping off Canadian taxpayers for his final moving expense claims after recently retiring
from the military.
Leslie apparently is now safely ensconced in the federal Liberal party’s fold as an advisor to federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. They even hugged each other on-stage at the federal Liberals' convention late last week in Montreal.
Leslie is also reportedly the presumed candidate in a safe Liberal riding in Ottawa in the next federal election, next year.
Leslie apparently is now safely ensconced in the federal Liberal party’s fold as an advisor to federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. They even hugged each other on-stage at the federal Liberals' convention late last week in Montreal.
Leslie is also reportedly the presumed candidate in a safe Liberal riding in Ottawa in the next federal election, next year.
Military Moving Expenses
After
retiring from the military recently, Leslie billed his final moving expense claims to the federal government.
Nicholson argues that Leslie, therefore, got Canadian taxpayers to foot the bill for his final moving expenses, which apparently can include costly real estate fees, instead of paying his own way back to ‘civvy street.’
Nicholson argues that Leslie, therefore, got Canadian taxpayers to foot the bill for his final moving expenses, which apparently can include costly real estate fees, instead of paying his own way back to ‘civvy street.’
But Leslie claims current military regulations governing moving expenses—now apparently overseen
by Nicholson—allow all retiring military personnel,
regardless of rank or job function, to bill the government for their final
moving expenses after retiring--as long as the retiree has at least 20 years’ military
service.
Sweet Revenge?
Some media
reports note that before Leslie joined the federal Liberals he approached the
federal Conservatives, and/or was approached by the Conservatives about siding
with them in the next federal election.
Various media reports suggest Nicholson and the Tories are miffed
that Leslie went to the Liberals instead, allegedly prompting Nicholson to
attack him for his moving expenses as revenge.
This scenario could have some merit, since some news reports indicate that other retiring military personnel with at least 20 years' service apparently also billed their final moving expenses to the government as Leslie did. Leslie, however, seems to be the only one who has been publicly castigated by Nicholson for doing so.
This scenario could have some merit, since some news reports indicate that other retiring military personnel with at least 20 years' service apparently also billed their final moving expenses to the government as Leslie did. Leslie, however, seems to be the only one who has been publicly castigated by Nicholson for doing so.
Indignance
In
verbally attacking Leslie’s character
and ethics—or lack thereof—Nicholson has seemed outraged, pointing
out with all the bluster he could muster that Leslie should have paid
his own
final moving expenses after retiring from the military.
Predictably, Leslie seems indignant and offended that his apparent good name is being dragged through the mud by Nicholson and those 'terrible Tories.'
Free Publicity
In fact, though, Leslie should thank his lucky stars for the free
publicity
and advertising he’s been getting from Nicholson and the federal
government.
If Leslie is going to be running for the Liberals in the next federal election, he should be grateful for Nicholson’s ‘spear campaign’ against him. This is because I suspect few people among the general public, outside the military and Leslie’s own family, acquaintances, and friends, have even heard of him before.
Lack of Foresight?
If Nicholson is as smart as he likely thinks he is, he’ll use more forethought the next time he tries to smear another potential politician, because his attack tactics on Leslie could backfire on Nicholson and the Conservatives in a big way.
In this context, did Nicholson not consider the potential payoff to Leslie, in terms of free name recognition and other possible positive publicity--especially if Leslie does run for the Liberals in the federal election next year?
If Leslie is going to be running for the Liberals in the next federal election, he should be grateful for Nicholson’s ‘spear campaign’ against him. This is because I suspect few people among the general public, outside the military and Leslie’s own family, acquaintances, and friends, have even heard of him before.
What better way for Liberal Leslie to be largely introduced to the
voting public than by being publicly attacked by the federal government, with
major media organizations also helping by reporting on the apparent
controversy?
Conservatives Helping Liberals
In addition, thanks to Nicholson, the federal Liberals should be thankful they won’t necessarily have to spend a bundle to introduce their apparent ‘star candidate’ to the general public if Leslie runs for them next year in Ottawa. Nicholson and the governing Conservatives have already done that for the Liberals.
And if Leslie campaigns against a Conservative in the next federal
election, a Leslie victory would be sweet for him and his Liberal
party, considering he was previously largely unknown before
Nicholson gave him a national identity and platform. In addition, thanks to Nicholson, the federal Liberals should be thankful they won’t necessarily have to spend a bundle to introduce their apparent ‘star candidate’ to the general public if Leslie runs for them next year in Ottawa. Nicholson and the governing Conservatives have already done that for the Liberals.
Lack of Foresight?
If Nicholson is as smart as he likely thinks he is, he’ll use more forethought the next time he tries to smear another potential politician, because his attack tactics on Leslie could backfire on Nicholson and the Conservatives in a big way.
In this context, did Nicholson not consider the potential payoff to Leslie, in terms of free name recognition and other possible positive publicity--especially if Leslie does run for the Liberals in the federal election next year?
Scrambled or Over-Easy?
Ultimately, if Leslie is right that his final
moving expenses after retiring from the military were ‘by the book,’ and if
there really is no scandal, contrary to what Nicholson implies, perhaps Nicholson and his
Conservative cronies will end up with proverbial egg on their faces.
If so, they might realize they didn’t think far enough ahead, before publicly attacking the former general for his alleged financial indiscretion over his moving expenses.
If so, they might realize they didn’t think far enough ahead, before publicly attacking the former general for his alleged financial indiscretion over his moving expenses.
