I share Laurie's concern about the use of the word “scrap”, because it was really standing down half of that, but there was also more to it. There were other operational decisions that I think a lot of people across the country found worrisome. But I support the principle of the motion that it does bespeak certain issues within the navy.
As a committee, we just went through the Arctic study and talked about the Arctic patrol and the role of the navy in all of that. So it just came as quite a shock to me to learn that, within the military, at least, the use of the patrol vessels was not considered a priority enough to continue with all of them.
I'd like to hear more about it, frankly, regardless of whatever political mischief Mr. Hawn thinks someone might be up to. This is a very serious issue and the kind of issue that the defence committee should elaborate on. I don't think we're necessarily going to get the kinds of answers that are needed in terms of the committee of the whole. Obviously we can ask questions of the minister at that point, and maybe the officials will be there, too.
Will they be there, Laurie? The deputy minister, CDS—