They are one of Stephen Harper's favourite photo-op props. The thin red line of Canadian Rangers who guard Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic.
He even likes to dress up as one of them...
But now that there is news that the Rangers may be in trouble.
A "significant number" of Canadian Rangers in the Arctic have died in recent years, a trend that is causing concern about the strains on those tasked with being Canada's "eyes and ears" in the North, according to documents obtained by CBC News.
There is no comment from him or the Canadian military.
CBC News requested an interview with the commanding officer of the 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, but after weeks of deliberation that request was denied.
The military also blocked CBC from speaking to historian Whitney Lackenbauer, who has written a book on the Rangers. Lackenbauer is also the honorary lieutenant colonel of 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. In an email, the military said Lackenbauer was "not familiar with the whole story.
"CBC also requested information from the military regarding deaths of Canadian Rangers, but after more than a week the military still had not sent a response.
Just this statement from of all people, Julian Fantino.
In a statement, Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino said "our government is extremely proud of the Canadian Rangers, and understands how critically important they are to our Arctic sovereignty."
Isn't that familiar?
First come the photo-ops and then comes the neglect.
You know, they only have 67-year-old rifles, and no proper benefits...
Many of Canada's Rangers are aboriginal. They do not have the same access to services, including medical services, as regular forces members and reservists — unless they are injured on active duty, in which case they would have access to benefits provided by the Canadian Forces.
Which is absolutely disgraceful.
But if I was lost in that bleak icy landscape, my fondest hope would be that these awesome Canadians were looking for me...
Because for them I have nothing but admiration and pride.
But for Stephen Harper now posing along with Jason Kenney as the one who would defend our Arctic sovereignty from the Russians.
I have nothing but contempt...
Great True North Leader indeed.
Don't make me vomit...
Please click here to recommend this post at Progressive Bloggers.
8 comments:
Really Simon, you think Steve and his cons are going to do anything about the high death rate of the Rangers? Come on, this is a guy who doesn't have it on his "RADAR" that there are 1,200 murdered/missing women. This is a guy who took a billion out of the Veteran budget. This is a guy who clawed back money from the RCMP anti child porn program. This is a guy who doesn't care about people. Remember if Rangers die, they go to stevie's version of heaven. perhaps that is why Steve and his cons don't care about Rangers dying. We need to remember Steve and 60 of his fellow cons belong to the Chrisitan and Missionary Alliance church which believes the bible is "inerrant" and the second coming is "imminent". With attitudes like that do you think they really care about First Nations people guarding our north.
People are disposable to Steve and his cons if they are not part of his rabid base.
My suggestions to the Rangers, resign in mass. Let great leader figure it out. Might even put a dent in his "balanced budget".
Canada owes the Rangers big time. Just like they owe our Veterans. The government of Canada simply thinks it owes its base, and Communist China.
hi e.a.f.....yes you're right, I probably am a bit naive, and definitely too idealistic to live in Harperland. But why do all our dealings with our fabulous aboriginal people have to be so shabby or callous? It's so depressing that if the Harperite cult is re-elected I may have to leave and move to Scotland where really exciting progressive things are happening. I need to live in a place where hope at least has a chance of surviving, and the only thing I fear is becoming cynical and gloomy like so many in this country. But in the meantime....all we can do is try to motivate other Canadians to organize, unite, and defeat the Cons. Nothing else matters, because until we remove that grubby gang and their deranged leader from power, we can do nothing to save this country and the planet...
In 2011 federal election, 39% of the votes = 54% of the seats = 100% power
http://volunteer.fairvote.ca/
http://www.fairvote.ca/
Your "photo ops props" comment pretty much nails it. And for the military to state that historian Whitney Lackenbauer isn't fully informed is absolutely ridiculous as he is an expert on this subject and has written the only complete history of the Rangers to date. The amount of ignorance this government has shown towards our Arctic while pretending to be its "great saviour" is mind-blowing and insulting in the extreme. Fuck, I've been to Nanisivik more times than Harper has and have met more Rangers than he ever will. I likely know more than the average Canadian about our Arctic but I won't pretend to be an expert by any stretch. The amount of ill-informed shite I see this government pump out on this topic is truly beyond comprehension. Honestly, there are no words.
hi David...thanks for the links, your contribution to the comment section is most helpful, and the stories you pass on to me couldn't be more helpful...
hi Way Way Up....yes isn't it outrageous? It makes my blood boil to see those great Canadians treated so shabbily. The way the military high command behaves these days is absolutely unforgivable. And to see Harper pose as a Great Northern Leader really does make me feel like vomiting. He's been making promises since he came to power and has yet to keep any of them. The north like the rest of us deserves so much better...
@e.a.f
"Steve and 60 of his fellow cons belong to the Chrisitan and Missionary Alliance church".
Do you have a good source for this? I knew that the Cons had a lot of religious nutters in caucus and cabinet but I had not realised how may were in the CMA church.
I wonder if membership is a way to curry favour with the PM? There is some old saying about "Singing from the same hymn sheet".
@Simon
I believe there is a reason for the old rifles. IIRC, they are much more durable and reliable in that environment (well probably most environments)
Stephen Joesph Harper AKA Mr dress-up. I do not remember any other Prime Minister doing that in my sixty years. Trudeau senior got flack from the press for wearing sandals to Parliament. Hell I was a builder all my life I used to wear sandals too. I got teased for it the other guys said "What are you gonna do when something drops on your toes?" I replied it will never happen because I can dance real fast! But Mr dress-up our current PM is allot like a child and like any child they need to be rebuked and reined in when they get stupid. Well its time for Stevie the dress-up hide in the closet queen for mature disciplinary action.
Cheers Simon Cheers,
Mogs Moglio
Post a Comment