Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I too would like to welcome General Hillier and thank him for his services to the Canadian Forces. When he came to Saint-Jean a few years ago to see his son receive his degree, he invited me to go running with him. As we are about the same age and as I was training at the time, I thought I would be able to keep up. Regrettably, after a few minutes, I realized that, not only was he ahead of me, he also had the legs of a man of 20. In a small way, that shows what General Hillier has been able to accomplish and gives an idea of the great respect he inspires in the men and women he commands. Each time I saw him with them, I saw what charisma means. I will end by saying that the Bloc Québécois has a great deal of admiration for what you have done. I wish you a very happy retirement.
In your presentation, you talked a lot about treatment, about the fact that people with wounds or post-traumatic stress have access to services on their return. I must acknowledge that, for several years, the Canadian Forces have taken health issues seriously, especially post-traumatic stress disorder. It is true that more and more effort is being put into helping these people get back on their feet. Can we talk a little about prevention?
It has been explained to me that attempts are made to train as close as possible to the theatre of operations. I have been to several of these places, and I understand, I think, that there is nothing worse for a battle-ready soldier, trained for action, to see atrocities being committed while having to obey orders to do nothing. Everyone was talking about Srebrenitza when I was in Bosnia during rotation 9. That was then, now we have to deal with the present.
Questions were asked in the House of Commons today about alleged sexual assaults committed by members of the Afghan army. There are reports that our officers and soldiers are witnessing these assaults and that the officers are issuing orders not to report them.
You are going to retire soon and I would like your opinion. I would also like to hear you guarantee that you have ordered all the officers presently in the theatre of operations not to demand that situations of that kind be kept secret and that nothing be done. They cannot give orders like that. Can you be absolutely clear that that is the case?
I am pleased that you are here with us this afternoon. We are finally able to meet the person responsible for the Canadian Forces. This responsibility rests with you and I can only hope that the problem will be resolved.