Harper using public servants, military to sell F-35

The Vancouver Sun:

Public servants are racking up overtime and generals have turned into salesmen for the Conservative party as part of the Harper government's effort to convince the public the stealth fighter it wants to purchase is a good deal, opposition MPs charge.

Figures obtained by the Liberals show public servants at National Defence headquarters charged taxpayers at least 600 hours of overtime to organize a news conference and seven events to promote the purchase of the F-35 aircraft to defence analysts, academics and some industry representatives.

At the same time, generals and other officers and public servants have criss-crossed the country promoting the sole-sourced deal.

Various numbers have been produced by government about the cost of the public-relations campaign from last year but travel claims and other expenses are still being tallied. Indications are that the figure, which includes cabinet ministers visiting aerospace firms to promote the F-35 purchase, is more than $200,000.

Liberal industry critic Marc Garneau said the use of senior Canadian Forces officers to sell the public on the plan to spend between $16 billion and $21 billion on the stealth fighters is unprecedented.

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