Evidence of meeting #131 for National Defence in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was reserves.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
I'm glad you mentioned that. I'm also curious to know—and if you don't have them, perhaps somebody with you does—what the statistics are for people who transition from being in the reserves to being full military personnel?
LGen Paul Wynnyk
I can provide some statistics. It's called component transfer; you're probably aware of that.
We're relying more and more on that as we seek to expand the regular force and the reserve force. To put that in context—and it speaks to what the minister said on the growth of the reserves—last year the reserves grew by over 2,100. That's the first time we've seen reserve growth in about seven years.
On top of that there were over 1,000 people in the reserves—and this is army, navy and air force—who actually did a component transfer, which is more than we've had in the last seven or eight years as well.
We anticipate, with the full-time summer employment and more recruits coming in, that that will only increase. I would say that the first year was an unqualified success, and we look forward to future successes.
Liberal
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
Sir, can I just add to that because you guys went to Mali? I visited the reserve unit in Quebec, though I forget the name of the unit, unfortunately. I met members there who were going to go on the new rotation as gunners on the Griffon helicopters. So there's also the incorporation of the reserves into these missions as well, and that plays a very important role for them to take part and look at component transfer.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
I only have about 30 seconds left, so perhaps this is more of a statement.
I also want to commend the particular action taken in decreasing the time it takes for a reservist to be approved to get into the reserves. That screening process was a real deterrent, as I heard a lot about before, but there've been significant improvements. Of course, they're always looking for it to be even faster, but there's been a significant improvement and we're seeing more people entering the reserves, including on the ground in my riding.
Conservative
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
We're here to talk both about spending and as much about what you're not spending on, specifically the indemnification of Admiral Norman. Recognizing that he was acting in the interest of the Crown and within the scope of his duties as a naval officer, I have a yes or no question. Will you indemnify Mark Norman?
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Vote 1. Salary. It comes out of the operational budget.
Conservative
Liberal
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
When it comes to the case itself, it's before the court.
Conservative
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
So that's a no? Thank you very much.
My next question: We understand from the media—
February 28th, 2019 / 4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Excuse me, I have a point of order.
Mr. Chair, it's absolutely acceptable for the member to disagree, but to infer and to put words into the minister's mouth would be unacceptable. I think there's—
