OTTAWA — Canada’s military ombudsman has dropped the gloves in what appears to have become a tense battle with National Defence, accusing officials of “insidious” attacks whenever his office releases a report critical of the department. He alleged that a pattern has developed whereby defence officials make life more difficult for his office any time it releases a report they don’t like. That is another reason for the ombudsman’s office to report to Parliament, Walbourne said — to make sure his reports aren’t simply ignored. But Sajjan’s spokeswoman, Renee Filiatrault, said the defence minister has met with Walbourne on several occasions, and that he stands by his belief that the current arrangement is working. “The minister values the substantive input, mandate and operational independence of the ombudsman’s office,” Filiatrault said in an email, “which is why the ombudsman has a direct reporting relationship to the minister.”

Source: National Post April 02, 2017 15:22 UTC