WikiLeaks Releases U.S. Cables on Canada

Olympic security, criticisms of Ignatieff and Harper highlight WikiLeaks' latest document dump.

WikiLeaks dumped a raft of confidential memos originating from the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa just ahead of Monday's federal election. So far, none of the cables appear to be bombshells, but they do provide a look into how our closest neighbours and allies view their friends to the north. Ambassador David Jacobson, for example, questioned Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff's leadership after his “muted” response to the prorogation of Parliament in 2008. Dozens of cables focused on security at the 2010 Olympic Games, others discussed Laureen Harper, the wife of the prime minister, and yet others criticized the Conservatives' tough-on-crime agenda and Stephen Harper's “about-face” on appointing senators after saying for years they should be elected.