No discussion about top soldier's replacement, PM saysMeagan Fitzpatrick, CanWest News Service
Published: Wednesday, October 03, 2007
OTTAWA - There have been no discussions about replacing Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's top soldier, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Wednesday.
In fact, the prime minister said, he has only recently given Hillier, Canada's chief of the defence staff, a good review.
In a rare news conference with the parliamentary press gallery, Harper conceded that the defence chief serves at the pleasure of the government. However, he underlined there is no reason to replace the man who has ably headed Canada's military, in particular its current war effort in Afghanistan, since January 2005.
Harper also emphasized the importance of the Afghanistan mission, noting it is one of the government's key priorities for the new session of Parliament, which resumes with a throne speech on Oct. 16.
Earlier Wednesday, Hillier also told reporters that he loves his job and has no plans to go anywhere.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, a relaxed and joking Hillier said there is no truth to the rumours that have been circulating over the past 24 hours that either the government wanted to shuffle him out of his post or that he is looking to be relieved of his duties.
"I indicated when I took this appointment that I would serve at the pleasure of the government and that continues," said the native of Newfoundland, who was appointed to the top military post by the previous Liberal government.
Hillier said he doesn't know where the reports of his potential replacement originated, or why, but that he is 100 per cent focused on his job.
"I love being a soldier. I do the job to serve. Truly that's why I took the job," said Hillier, who added he still has things he wants to do in his role.
"At some point in time, either the prime minister will ask me, or I will indicate to him, that the time has come - and that will come, I'm sure, in the future," said Hillier. There is no fixed term for chief of defence staff.
The general said he has a good working relationship with Defence Minister Peter MacKay and feels he has the support of both the defence minister and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Hillier said he also had a good relationship with former defence minister Gordon O'Connor, who was replaced by MacKay in a cabinet shuffle in August. Hillier said nothing should be made of the fact that he was late for an event honouring O'Connor on Tuesday.
The chief of defence staff said he has had no discussions with the government about the reports of his replacement.
Replacing Hillier would be a major mistake.