Evidence of meeting #36 for National Defence in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was aircraft.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
General, I'm sorry but the time is up.
We're going to end. Mr. Blaney is going to get the last word in here.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Lévis—Bellechasse, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to thank you all for coming here this morning, both the people from National Defence as well as those from Public Works and Government Services Canada. We appreciate your transparency and your ability to clearly explain issues that are fairly complex and new to me.
You have dispelled some doubts that could have been raised. You clearly stated that the media had provided incorrect information in certain areas.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Lévis—Bellechasse, QC
One article clearly indicated that the quote did not come from Colonel Burt.
Colonel Burt, do you have any other comments? Whether or not certain vehicles were included is a tempest in a teapot as far as I'm concerned. Colonel Burt or General Lucas, if you would like to wrap up on the procurement process for C-17s, you have the floor.
February 15th, 2007 / 10:55 a.m.
LGen J. S. Lucas
Thank you for that.
I would like to conclude by thanking the committee for their considerable interest in this topic. I think it's important. I think it's important that in fact we do provide Canadians with the best value for money, and I think this committee has a very important role to play in that.
I am confident that what we have in the contract we've already signed is in fact outstanding value for Canadians. It is going to provide the men and women of the Canadian Forces with what they need. It's going to provide the people of Canada with a great capability.
This is a very good news story, and I think we have the potential for other good news stories coming down the track as well.
11 a.m.
Col D. C. Burt
I find it a privilege--and I've commented on this in the early part of my comments--for me to be involved in providing these kinds of capabilities for the future of the Canadian Forces, and indeed for Canadians.
As General Lucas has just said, I certainly welcome the opportunity to come and speak to you about them this morning.
Thank you.
11 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
Anybody else, because we just have a second to wrap up here?
Mr. Williston.
11 a.m.
Director General, Land, Aerospace and Marine Systems and Major Projects Sector, Public Works and Government Services Canada
I would just echo the comments and say that I think this is evidence of the fact that we have a fair, open, and transparent procurement process that is efficient as well. The fact that we can come here and have this open discussion with you and basically display everything we've been doing and will be doing is evidence of that.
11 a.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Chairman, given that we are involved in a transparent process, I would appreciate—and I'm repeating my request to General Lucas—that his department provide us with all the e-mails that were sent, in order that we may be able to appreciate the good work, candour and integrity of these people.
11 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
I'm not sure that's a point of order. I think that request has already been put in and General Lucas is completely aware.
Sir.
11 a.m.
LGen J. S. Lucas
I took that to mean any e-mails that have come to my office on that subject, and I am delighted to provide that.
11 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
Thank you very much.
Just before we adjourn, I'd like to ask the committee if it would be all right if I sent a letter to one of our recently reassigned colleagues, a letter of well wishes to Mr. Dosanjh from the committee. Would that be all right?
11 a.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
11 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
General, I want to thank you very much for being here, and I want to thank all of you.
Sir, I'd like to just let you know that when we flew in and out of KAF, we had a very capable crew. The pilot was the same pilot both ways--Mike Graham, I believe--and if you could just pass on our thanks for that.... And we were encouraged by the loadmaster to fly Herc Air as often as we could.
Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.