Evidence of meeting #46 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was spending.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Madam Chair, I think that illustrates so clearly why we need to be diligent in continuing to pay down our public debt. I commend you for your initiatives in that regard.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Thank you.
I'm going to end with a very short question for Mr. Simard.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
There are 30 seconds left, Madam Chair.
For clarification, Mr. Minister, on the allocations here, you have under Canada Border Services Agency $131 million. My understanding is that arming the border guards will be closer to a billion dollars. Was it a five-year program or a ten-year program? What are we seeing here?
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Vic Toews Conservative Provencher, MB
As I understand it, it's a ten-year program, but that's probably something that needs to be addressed with the Minister of Public Safety.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
Okay. Well, you would know whether it's five years or ten years.
You are saying, Mr. Wouters, that it's ten years.
Thank you.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
Madam Chair, I have a point of order. During the minister's remarks to our committee he made a comment, and I think his exact words were in speaking to me, “You don't care about our troops”. I'm wondering if the minister would care to either justify that or, I think more appropriately, retract that remark.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
I will give the minister the opportunity if he wants to retract. If he doesn't, then that's fine. But it is debate.
Thank you.
The meeting is adjourned.