Government urged to scrap ‘useless’ fighter jets by celebrities and activists
The Ottawa Citizen’s David Pugliese, a veteran defence journalist who is frequently in the sights of military generals over his thorough coverage, reported on a new open letter campaign by Canadian peace groups this week.
Pugliese’s article provoked a barrage of criticism from pro-war advocates on his Twitter profile, upset by the activists’ campaign.
As Pugliese reported, more than 100 authors, academics and celebrities are urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to scrap his plan to spend billions on new fighter jets, which they say are useless in protecting Canada from security threats such as pandemics and natural disasters.
The letter was signed by authors Michael Ondaatje, Yann Martel and Gabor Maté, musicians Neil Young, Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, Sarah Harmer, Tegan and Sara, former diplomat Stephen Lewis, actress Daryl Hannah, environmentalists David Suzuki and Naomi Klein, as well as two sitting Green Party MPs, four former MPs, Senator Marilou McPhedran and union leaders.
The Liberal government expects to announce a winning bidder for the fighter jet competition next year.
Given the unprecedented climate crisis, the discoveries of mass graves of indigenous children, should the Canadian govt spend $77 billion on 88 new fighter jets? Over 100 notable Canadians signed an open letter calling for #nonewfighterjets Take action: https://t.co/yWIPkVzGBa pic.twitter.com/49kPjVTycI
— No Fighter Jets Coalition (@nofighterjets) July 14, 2021
