Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My comment concerns the recommendation made by government officials. I had asked that the Aurora surveillance aircraft program immediately be included in the work of the Auditor General. I believe people have a lot of questions about the rationale for the replacement and sudden cancellation of the modernization program. We know that on December 18, the people of Nova Scotia will probably receive a Christmas gift that they don't want. This talks about the surveillance aircraft, but also a potential procurement process.
What justification is there for replacing these aircraft when, according to experts, they could remain in service until 2025? I did not want to go into detail here. I believe that, generally speaking, this motion is consistent with the current reality. It tells the Auditor General that, in addition to the five procurement contracts, she will be asked to review this matter.
It is important to remember that Canada has a significant role to play domestically, and that nothing has been signed so far, as regards surveillance and search capabilities. There has been a lot of talk of security and sovereignty in the Arctic, and that includes a military component. We need surveillance aircraft. Let's not forget that since last November, the Auroras no longer fly over the Arctic. They no longer fly up North. To me, that is quite worrisome.
If those aircraft lasted until 2015—even though we have also heard 2009 mentioned—they would be replaced by other Boeing aircraft. However, this is a product currently under development and production can only begin in 2013. Based on a very optimistic scenario, we can expect them to be operational starting in 2016. I forget the names of the two colonels who appeared as military experts, but I could provide you with the relevant material. In any case, the experts clearly stated that there would be a gap, and that the gap could not be filled. In my opinion, the very future of our coastlines and the Arctic are at stake here.
Mr. Chairman, in light of these considerations, I think it is appropriate that the Committee respectfully request that the Auditor General be given a mandate, namely that she conduct a review of the status of the CP-140 Aurora aircraft.
Thank you.