National Defence Committee on Dec. 1st, 2016

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Isn't it like writing a blank cheque to Boeing when you're starting the negotiations without even knowing the price?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

No, we want to have proper negotiations and be the best stewards of that purse and get the best deal for Canada.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

We know Kuwait is paying $335 million a piece for their fighter jets, the Super Hornets they just bought. Are you expecting them to be in the same ballpark?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Each aircraft and how you get it is very different. You can't just look at one aircraft. Each nation has its own abilities and requirements. We have our own requirements. Once those discussions have gone through and we have the costing, we will make sure that it is properly shown to you, to Parliament, and to Canadians, as well.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

As you're aware, Lieutenant-General Hood, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, was before us at committee earlier this week. He made a comment that he hasn't been privy to any of the discussions on the replacement of the CF-18s or of the policy change on the number of planes needed for NATO and NORAD missions. Why have General Hood and the leadership of the RCAF been pushed—

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

There's a point of order on the floor.

Mr. Gerretsen.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Chair, I think that the questions today should be related directly to the supplementary estimates. I would ask you to rule that's the case and ask the member to—

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

On a point of order—

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

On that, initially when you linked the question back, you were heading on the right track, and then we just kept going down that road.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

But we're down that path, and the minister has been answering the questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

My opinion on this is that, initially, we were. Because of the way you worded the question, you were okay. Now we've just driven into the—

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

So, let me reword the question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

I'm going to sustain the point of order, and I'd ask you, Mr. Bezan, to get back onto supplementary estimates (B), please.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Chair, before you start the clock again, the minister and I were having a conversation on the Super Hornets, a conversation that started off about responsible spending. I'm still on the issue of responsible spending, which he mentioned in his opening comments.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I'm on—

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

You're debating—

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

I have a point of order.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I'm getting back to the point of order. Page 10—

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

You can challenge the ruling of the chair, but you can't debate it. So if you want to challenge his ruling, challenge it. Otherwise, let's move on.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

There's been a ruling.

James, you have the floor.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Start the clock. I'll just remind the committee that you don't have power to censor.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

You have two minutes and 15 seconds, Mr. Bezan.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Okay, let's go on.

On the issue of responsible spending, there is this whole issue surrounding how much more you need, so I'd like you to talk about the infrastructure of air bases and military bases across the country. Is there going to be a change in infrastructure made to support the Super Hornet fleet and to operate this interim fleet, which is a mixed fleet now because of purchasing 18 Super Hornets?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

The infrastructure investment is necessary to improve all aspects as we move forward with the Canadian Armed Forces. This is an investment regardless. When it comes to the aircraft, regardless of what aircraft is selected for the permanent fleet replacement, we'll require some infrastructure investment moving forward, so that will be taken into account.