Thank you, Madam Chair.
This introduces a new clause regarding the donation of surplus military equipment to Ukraine.
It says:
For as long as any territory of Ukraine is occupied by armed forces of the Russian Federation, the Minister of National Defence must periodically review Canada's inventory of military equipment and offer to donate to Ukraine any military equipment that that Minister deems to be surplus or no longer useful to Canada.
Madam Chair, it's simple and straightforward. If we have military equipment that is no longer useful to Canada and would be useful to Ukraine in their existential struggle for the defence of their territory and their people, we should be providing that equipment. Conservatives have been consistently advocating on this issue in the past in instances where we would have an opportunity to revitalize our own stockpile by purchasing new state-of-the-art equipment for our military and sharing with Ukraine older equipment we would likely not use that could be used by the Ukrainians right now. Better it be used in the battlefield defending Ukraine's people and territory than gathering dust in a context where it is very likely to not be used here in Canada.
The amendment is not highly prescriptive. It simply says the Minister of National Defence should periodically take a look at our stockpiles, at our inventory, and make an assessment about what can be contributed. I think this is helpful and constructive. It would make a difference. It would make a real, concrete difference for Ukraine in its defence of its territory and its people, so I hope this amendment will find the support of members.
Thanks.