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.
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.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Thank you.
I'm going to end with a very short question for Mr. Simard.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.