The partisan machinery got ramped into full gear over the weekend after CTV aired a story saying that retired General Andrew Leslie legitimately claimed $72, 000 in moving expenses upon his retirement when he bought a new house in Ottawa. Most of that was apparently real estate fees, which the expenses are allowed to cover. But apparently after the years of service he put in, this figure is “shocking” for critics. Sackcloth and ashes, everyone! What wasn’t aired or put in the web version was Leslie’s explanation, which is not only the universality of that programme, its rationale, and the fact that he didn’t know the figure because it was handled by a private company. All of which raises questions as to why that number found its way into CTV’s hands. Not able to resist making a partisan swipe, as Leslie is now an advisor to Justin Trudeau, Defence minister Rob Nicholson announced that he was going to take a look into the expenses, while Leslie explained himself by way of Facebook. Even the head of the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation decided to get in on the game and said that Leslie was an embarrassment to his ancestors and compared him to Mike Duffy. Because he’s classy like that, I guess. I am also struck by the fact that everyone is blaming Leslie for bilking the system, when he made it clear that he wasn’t involved – a private company was. Perhaps they are the one who should be answering the questions, not Leslie.

Hundreds of shipping containers full of valuable and expensive military equipment from Afghanistan are only now finally starting to make their way back to Canada, nearly three years later. Part of the problem was when the ports in southern Pakistan were blocked, and they considered sending them overland through Europe, and then the containers started to lose their seaworthiness, and on and on it went.

Despite Pierre Poilievre’s assurances, experts will tell you that the biggest barrier to voter turnout is motivational, not logistical. Sure, people will tell you that they’re just “too busy” to vote, but usually it’s an excuse and not the truth. Americans who’ve been battling over increasingly restrictive voter identification wars in the States have their own warnings about how tightening the rules can affect turnout, though nothing in the current bill seems nearly as restrictive as most of the contested American measures.

Working groups struck after the Lac Mégantic disaster to study rail safety say there is little information on the transportation of dangerous good by rail.

The CBC looks at some alternatives to income splitting that would likely have a greater impact for those who need it.

Ruh-roh! It seems that Ted Opitz also had some problems with his 2008 nomination race, for which he has just entered into a compliance agreement with the Elections Commissioner.

And here’s a look at the restoration plans for the East Block on Parliament Hill.