Evidence of meeting #21 for National Defence in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was aircraft.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

AndrĂ© Deschamps  Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force, Department of National Defence

December 13th, 2011 / 10:30 a.m.

LGen André Deschamps

Again, as I pointed out earlier, right now our initial training will be done in the U.S., with our partners, as part of the original construct for the F-35. Clearly, as we develop some in-depth knowledge of this program and launch into the procurement aspect of it, we'll be looking at how we do the training in the long term. Obviously, my intention will be to repatriate our training to Canada at some logical point in time, when we have the knowledge and the infrastructure to do so.

As for Cold Lake, Canada has options. We have a lot of space and great ranges and opportunities for our allies to come to train with us. We have made it clear to our allies on many occasions that we certainly welcome any sort of initiative to expand training in Canada.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

Thank you very much.

Thank you, General, for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us for our study of the readiness of the Canadian Forces. Of course, we're very interested in the F-35s, as well as all the other assets that have been acquired by the Royal Canadian Air Force over the last number of years.

We again want to congratulate you, and all the men and women who are in the Royal Canadian Air Force, for serving Canada and for the recent success in Libya. We know there are always other things on the horizon that we're monitoring closely, and that there's always work you have to do in the defence of Canada and in assisting Canadians through search and rescue. Thank you for your commitment and your time here today.

With that, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB

So moved.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

We're out of here.