Latest defence department blunder could mean an end to Peter Mackay’s political career

Another procurement embarrassment has some in Ottawa predicting that Peter MacKay's days as defence minister are numbered.

On the heels of the F-35 debacle, it appears a $2 billion competition to choose a supplier for up to 138 armoured infantry fighting vehicles has gone awry.

According to a story in the National Post, the new, medium-weight infantry support vehicle is intended to fill the gap between the LAV IIIs that were hit so often by improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan and the Leopard C2 tank.

"Three bidders were chosen — French giant Nexter, General Dynamics Land Systems and BAE/Hagglunds — but sources suggest that all failed tests set by National Defence," notes the article written by John Ivison.

"A bidders' conference was convened by DND to discuss price and technical modifications. However, the meeting was cancelled by the independent Fairness Monitor, which deemed it may have been unfair to bidders that did not make it onto the short-list and expose the government to lawsuits."

Ivison adds that the process has now ground to a halt and Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose wants it to start over again, to avoid accusations of bid-rigging, wheras DND wants to continue with the existing bidders.

"According to one person on the inside, the whole procurement process is a study in dysfunction," Ivison writes.

"The military...is venting its aggression on Public Works and the civilians in its own department."

"At the same time, the politicians and the bureaucrats are having their own battles. Mr. MacKay and his deputy minister, Rob Fonberg, are said to be barely on speaking terms since the Auditor-General's [F-35] report landed."

Rumours of a cabinet shuffle which would see Mackay moved out of the defence portfolio will likely continue, especially after this story.

Ivison says a source close to the defence minister suggested a demotion would give MacKay an excuse to walk away from politics, make some money in the private sector, and enjoy his new life with his new bride.

In his blog for the Ottawa Citizen, David Pugilese said some have suggested to him that MacKay is negotiating for a plum patronage assignment and will come back later for a run at the Conservative leadership (and presumably the role of Prime Minister) once Harper has left.