MacKay Out of Loop on Afghan Mission, Sources Say

There is growing evidence that Stephen Harper has sidelined the defence minister on the extension of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.

On Monday during question period, opposition questions about the Afghan mission were fielded by Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon instead of Peter MacKay, who would usually respond to questions about the military. Cannon answered questions for over ten minutes while MacKay sat and looked at his Blackberry. The defence minister only made one statement, about the purchase of F-35 fighter jets, and then left the chamber, a highly unusual move when the country is buzzing about a three-year extension to Canada’s longest-ever military mission. MacKay was also reportedly cut out of discussions on the Camp Mirage debacle, and last week it was reported he was in talks to resign and take a job with a Bay Street law firm.