Evidence of meeting #38 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 requirements.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:05 a.m.
Chief of the Land Staff, Department of National Defence
Yes, that's right.
Sir, I owe you an answer. Have we ever leased or rented tanks before? I suspect, way back, when we bought the Leopard, which is actually before I started my career, there was a lease-rent option.
11:05 a.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
When we're talking about procurement, of course, leasing is an option. So can you provide me with that?
11:05 a.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
If I may, maybe if there is more information that you can come up with, you could send it to the committee, and we'd be glad to distribute it.
We're going to close with a short question. Steven.
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Lévis—Bellechasse, QC
I just have a comment. I would like to thank you for coming to visit us this morning. You gave a pretty nice explanation, and we have a better understanding, especially on the
interdependence between the forces and their equipment, essentially. We really get the sense that
the Canadian Forces are a team. That's something that I have to recall.
Mr. Chairman, I think gratuitous statements have been made. When you look at the number of Liberals holding key positions in the defence industry, I think there are conflicts of interest here. This is something we should discuss that once again.
11:05 a.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
We're not going to debate that right now. We're going to adjourn the meeting, but before I officially--
11:05 a.m.
NDP
Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
Before you adjourn the meeting, I have a suggestion for a witness. I didn't want you to adjourn before I had the opportunity to put it forward.
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, for being here and sharing your time. Once again, on behalf of the entire current committee and the past committees that I have served on in this committee, we want to thank you for your kind words, your acknowledgement. As Mr. Coderre and so many others said, we so much appreciate the excellent work that you do on behalf of Canada, and our thoughts and prayers are always with you. Thank you.
We have a suggestion from Ms. Black.
11:10 a.m.
NDP
Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
Yes, for one of our witnesses. I know we don't want to extend these hearings any longer than we planned on, but I also know that there is some room for some people to be called.
The person I want to suggest is Philip Coyle, who has been an adviser to President Bush. I have sent the information to the clerk, and I could certainly share it with everybody on the committee. He has extensive knowledge in the procurement process in the U.S., has testified to Congress and the House of Representatives on many occasions, and also has a great deal of expertise on weapon systems. I think he would be a valuable addition to our list, so I'm proposing that. It doesn't need the 48-hour notice, because it does fit within the parameters of the committee.
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
It does fit within the parameters, as explained earlier today.
Are there any comments from the...?
11:10 a.m.
An hon. member
Fine.
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
Fine, great. The clerk will make note of it.
Is there anything else?
The meeting is adjourned.