Evidence of meeting #27 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 forces.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Jonathan Vance  Chief of the Defence Staff, Department of National Defence
Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Philippe Grenier-Michaud

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

That would be one of the ways that you could describe how the assist function is defined.

You've seen it reported on, I've spoken of it, and it is absolutely a part of the fact that we are there with them and have the responsibility to protect ourselves, and as we have explained repeatedly, the responsibility for the defence of others if they are to be overwhelmed.

A great example is that we have weaponry that allows us to not be on the front line, to be well back from the front line, well back. If a heavily armoured suicide vehicle laden with explosives is approaching the line or exposed peshmerga forces and its detonation would result in the death of dozens of them, or civilians, then we have the ability with the weapons we have to eliminate that threat before it materializes.

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

I think that's probably it. Thanks.

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr

Ms. Gallant, you have the floor.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Through you, welcome to General Vance.

How long has the Canadian role 2 hospital been in place in Iraq?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

I think it just declared full operational capability in the last week.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

How long does it take to get a casualty from the battle front to our field hospital?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

Depending on where it happens, it can take minutes. We usually try to do that within what is called the “golden hour” if it's serious enough.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

So they can go by air, as opposed to—

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

They can go by helicopter, which is the preferred method, the faster the better, or they can go by ground. They are triaged. One of the things we do to help them at casualty collection points, given our expertise, is to help determine through a process of triage who needs to travel on what conveyance to receive the medical support they need.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

What is the ratio of Canadian doctors to Canadian soldiers in Iraq?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

I don't know the answer to that question, but we could find out for you. Because we're working in a coalition environment, we access all manner of medical....

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

What number of Canadian doctors are in theatre in Iraq?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

I think we've got three doctors there right now, but I'm not 100% sure.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Is there a role 2 hospital in conjunction with other hospitals at the same location?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

A U.S. role 2 hospital is going to be departing that location. I don't know what the status of their movement is right now.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

What type of doctors do we have? Do we have surgeons?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

They would probably be general surgeons.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

In terms of equipment, do they have CT scan access on site?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

Again, I'm not 100% certain what they've got in terms of equipment.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Does this Canadian role 2 hospital treat allied soldiers?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

A coalition role 2 hospital would treat any person who was brought to that hospital.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Does it treat civilian casualties?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

It could.

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Does it treat Daesh casualties, or would it, could it?

11:50 a.m.

Gen Jonathan Vance

Yes, absolutely.