WINNIPEG, Manitoba The purchase of 30 Setra motorcoaches by Canadas Department of Defense has become something of a political football.

A member of parliament from Winnipeg, Pat Martin, has criticized Canadas conservative government for picking Setras, which are manufactured in Germany, over models made by Motor Coach Industries, which operates a large plant in Winnipeg, for the $14-million Defense Department contract.

The premier of Manitoba, Gary Doer, also got in the act, writing to Manitobas senior conservative MP, Vic Toews, asking him to intervene. But Toewes said he couldnt interfere with a federal government decision.

Martin said he couldnt believe the government doesn't have a 'made in Canada' procurement policy for defense contracts, particularly given the billions of dollars in spending that have been promised over the next few years.

'We're sending the message that if you want a good bus for your country's armed forces, do what we do, buy German,' Martin was quoted as saying.

A Winnipeg newspaper reported that workers at the MCI plant also were furious with the governments decision, especially after they learned the difference in bid prices was less than $2,000 each on buses that are costing the government roughly $467,000 (Canadian) apiece.

'Our concern is that the feds should be buying Canadian, especially when we're talking about a minimal difference between these two bids,' said Brian Short, spokesman for Local 1953 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

MCI reportedly was told the difference between the two bids was $60,000 on a contract with a value of $14 million. MCI has indicated it may appeal the decision, and Short says the union wants to help with any appeal.

The contract was awarded by the Canadian Ministry of Public Works and Government Services. A spokeswoman was quoted as saying the government supports the Canadian manufacturing sector, but chose the bid that offered the best value to Canadian taxpayers.

The spokeswoman said the government's Canadian-content policy applies only when there are three qualified Canadian bidders. In this case, only two bidders had manufacturing plants in Canada, MCI and Quebec-based Prevost Car, so the bidding was opened up.

The Canadian Department of Defense already operates 13 MCI J-model coaches to transport Canadian soldiers.

MCI noted the department will now have to buy parts and supply technical and maintenance support for another brand of vehicle, and will lose the tax dollars and related spending on Canadian supplies for the new coaches.