House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 45% of the vote.
National Defence May 8th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I assure my hon. colleague that the minister has stood in the House and said that we would have replacements for the helicopters by the year 2005.
I want to go back to why the CDS had to take another helicopter. It had nothing to do with mechanical problems on the Sea King helicopters. It was purely weather and operational considerations. I hope the member takes that into consideration.
National Defence May 8th, 2000
I want to tell the hon. member that, since last year, an additional $50 million was provided, precisely to deal with the Sea King helicopters.
As I mentioned in my first reply, we are making good progress and things should be finalized very soon.
National Defence May 8th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure the hon. member that we have—
National Defence May 8th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her question.
I would point out, as the minister has mentioned on a number of occasions, that the maritime helicopters project remains our top priority in terms of materiel.
We are developing an appropriate procurement strategy that will allow us to buy materiel that meets our needs and to get the best value for money for Canadians.
Battle Of The Altlantic May 5th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, this coming Sunday, Canadians will pause to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic.
Canada declared war on Germany on September 10, 1939.
For six long years, members of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Merchant Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force faced perilous conditions in a titanic struggle for survival in the longest battle of the second world war, the Battle of the Atlantic.
The liberation of Europe depended on the ability of the allies to deliver their precious cargo of goods and personnel across the Atlantic, making their way through the menace of enemy submarine wolf packs, hazardous fog and raging winter gales.
Canadians shared in some of the worst hardships imaginable. Thousands paid the ultimate price, leaving us with a legacy of bravery and sacrifice in the cause of freedom.
I invite my hon. colleagues and all Canadians to pay tribute to those who fought in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Oath Of Allegiance To The Flag Of Canada Act May 3rd, 2000
Madam Speaker, the Canadian forces is an important national institution that does far more than defend Canada's territorial integrity. It also defends and reflects the values and principles that we as Canadians believe are important.
Achieving diversity in a large organization like the CF is a complex task but it is one that the minister and his department are committed to doing.
The Canadian forces must reflect the mosaic that is Canada. That is why the Canadian forces is actively recruiting aboriginal people and other visible minorities.
The military is also fully complying with the federal government's employment equity legislation. Through a formal plan authorized by the chief of defence staff, CDS, the Canadian forces is actively identifying possible barriers to advancement that visible minorities and aboriginal people sometimes face. However, promotions are based on merit and will continue to be based on merit. Unlike civilian organizations, the Canadian forces cannot simply recruit people into senior positions. Its leaders must be grown within the organization and this takes time.
The military has taken many steps to address barriers to aboriginal people and other visible minorities including measures to accommodate religious and cultural differences that permit for example aboriginal people to wear braids; the integration of diversity training at all levels of core CF leadership training; where possible, the identification of qualified aboriginal and visible minority Canadian forces members to serve as course instructors; and the establishment of community contacts to support the cultural needs of Canadian forces members.
Canada is a diverse society and the Canadian forces must reflect the society it serves. Diversity within the Canadian forces is something that we truly value.
Reservists May 3rd, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our country's devoted reservists.
Today, reservists across Canada are setting aside their usual cover of anonymity and wearing their uniform to work or school in order to show their pride in serving their country. Their employers, their teachers and the public will also have an opportunity to show their support in return.
These men and women are essential to the vitality of these illustrious Canadian units. They have served and continue to serve their country with distinction.
Members of the Primary Reserve, who wear the uniform of the army, the navy and the air force, can be proud of the services they have rendered, both in Canada and abroad, as well as in relief operations in disaster areas.
Other reservists are cadet instructors and work with young Canadians in over 1,100 communities. And the Canadian Rangers ensure an essential military presence in our remote northern regions.
On behalf of all members, I thank Canada's reservists, who serve our country with distinction, devotion and pride.
The Late Jacques Beauregard May 1st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, the mayor of Ferme-Neuve, Jacques Beauregard, who was working as an ambulance attendant at the time, lost his life in a tragic road accident.
I had the privilege of meeting the former mayor of Ferme-Neuve on a number of occasions. He was very involved in his municipality at a social, economic and community level.
Jacques Beauregard leaves a son, Martin, his spouse, Nicole Sarrasin, his father, Roger Beauregard, his mother, Madeleine, and three brothers.
Ferme-Neuve lost a mayor but, above all, a friend and a citizen who was deeply involved in his community. I wish to offer my sincere condolences to his family, his friends and the residents of Ferme-Neuve in their great loss.
Thank you Jacques for all your work. You will always be remembered in Ferme-Neuve and in the beautiful region of Labelle.
The Second Battle Of Ypres April 14th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, as we recall our achievements at the battle of Vimy Ridge, we must not forget that April 22 and 24 mark the 85th anniversary of the battle of Ypres. In 1915, 6,035 Canadian soldiers—one soldier in three—died in this battle.
These young Canadian soldiers were among the first victims of a new deadly weapon—poison gas.
The most disastrous and horrible battle took place at Saint-Julien. On April 24, as they were trying to end an impasse, the Canadians were hit with a great cloud of mustard gas.
Our courageous Canadian soldiers continued to fight fiercely and to hold their position for two weeks, although their lungs were burning and they could hardly breathe because of the terrible effects of the gas. It was not long after this battle that John McCrae wrote his famous poem “In Flanders Fields”.
Canadians must never forget the sacrifice made by the victims—
International Circumpolar Community April 11th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that the hon. member will be quite pleased by my remarks this evening.
As the minister has said many times previously, he cares about the health and welfare of CF members. We must take care of anyone who was healthy when they were deployed but were sick when they came back. I urge anyone who thinks they may be ill to seek medical attention. Those who want depleted uranium testing should contact the Centre for Injured and Retired Members and Their Families at 1-800-883-6094 or their nearest CF medical facility.
After reviewing proposals from a number of laboratories, the department selected two different independent companies to do the testing. Results from the testing will be sent to a civilian consultant for independent interpretation. Arrangements are now in place to begin testing current and former Canadian forces members who have asked for the procedure.
We are offering depleted uranium testing as a way of answering any possible concerns of CF personnel. The vast majority of scientific evidence indicates that depleted uranium is not a hazard to Canadian forces personnel. Normally, the CF test personnel for depleted uranium if there is evidence they have been exposed to it. The Canadian forces has tested several personnel who had potentially been exposed to depleted uranium and the tests were negative. The total uranium radiation was below detectable limits.
I must point out to the House that Canada does not use depleted uranium at the moment and that there is no plan to acquire depleted uranium ammunition for the Canadian armed forces.
The arsenal of some countries currently includes depleted uranium ammunition. For a ban to be viable and make sense, the countries in question would have to be convinced to do without their depleted uranium ammunition, something that seems unlikely in the near future.