Canada Replaces Defence Minister

Canada's Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor has been replaced after a series of blunders over the country's involvement in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Stephen Harper named current Foreign Minister Peter MacKay as Defence Minister in a cabinet reshuffle, which saw nine people given new pos

vasundhara August 15, 2007

Canada’s Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor has been replaced after a series of blunders over the country’s involvement in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper named current Foreign Minister Peter MacKay as Defence Minister in a cabinet reshuffle, which saw nine people given new posts.

O’Connor has drawn criticism in recent months over Canada’s handling of Afghan prisoners, misstatements over the future mission profile and over burials for soldiers killed in the conflict, news agency AFP reports.