The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Aug. 4, edition that the Liberal government is crying foul over a Conservative MP's decision to decline an offer to bring Canadian embassy officials to recent meetings in Washington, but the Tory backbencher says it was not required. Transport Minister Marc Garneau, who heads the Canada-U.S. cabinet committee, criticized Conservative MP Kelly McCauley for attending meetings last week in the U.S. capital, including at the Pentagon, without a briefing or logistical support from Canadian embassy officials. In a statement to The Globe, Mr. Garneau said: "The Conservatives talk a good game about playing for Team Canada but they aren't actually doing that. They're either sniping from the sidelines or actively obstructing what we're trying to achieve for Canadians at the negotiating table. ... For an MP of any party in the House of Commons to freelance meetings with the Pentagon, turning away support from our Embassy, is not only improper, it's irresponsible." Mr. McCauley said his meetings were directly related to his work on the House of Commons government operations and estimates committee. Mr. McCauley said, "I think someone's trying to make a mountain out of a molehill."