Would you say—
Evidence of meeting #126 for National Defence in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was training.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #126 for National Defence in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was training.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Excuse me, gentlemen.
It generally works better when you don't talk over each other. It generally works better when the answer and the question are roughly the same length.
Mr. Stewart, please let the minister answer. We'll give him another 10 or 15 seconds, and then we'll go on to Mr. Stewart's next question.
Conservative
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
In my 10 or 15 seconds, I would also comment that I think deeds speak. Talk is cheap, but when it comes time to step up and do what is necessary for Ukraine, I am very hopeful that every member of our Parliament will do what is required and support these supplementaries.
Conservative
Don Stewart Conservative Toronto—St. Paul's, ON
Thank you.
Would you say that we have the necessary warrior culture within the CAF?
November 21st, 2024 / 9:10 a.m.
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
I will tell you that I am daily impressed by the dedication and resolve of the members of the Canadian Armed Forces to do their jobs. I'm not 100% sure what you're referencing as a warrior culture, but what I can tell you is that the Canadian Armed Forces needs great people. In my understanding, great people includes great women, great indigenous candidates and great diverse candidates.
As my friend and colleague the Secretary of Defence of the United States just said yesterday—
Conservative
Liberal
Conservative
Don Stewart Conservative Toronto—St. Paul's, ON
The last thing I want to ask you about is this. Given that we have in some place a warrior culture, do our warriors have the tools that they need to feel safe in their jobs and equipped when they're in theatre to do those jobs?
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
That's exactly why I've come before you to ask for the resources that are in the estimates to make sure that we provide members of the Canadian Armed Forces with the tools they need to do their jobs. I'm really hopeful we're going to get your support this time.
Conservative
Don Stewart Conservative Toronto—St. Paul's, ON
Have the soldiers right at the ground level been asked if they feel like they're supported by the government?
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
We speak to the soldiers all the time. I've been travelling across the country.
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
We speak to our people all the time about their experiences. We've been talking to them about housing. We've been talking about access to child care, and we've been talking to them about the tools and equipment that they need to do their jobs. It's one of the reasons we, in our defence policy, put a lot of money on the table—
Conservative
Don Stewart Conservative Toronto—St. Paul's, ON
Have we been able to supply them with the nine-millimetre ammunition to train?
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
Again, it requires not talk but investment, and it's one of the reasons I hope that this committee will support those investments. The Canadian Armed Forces has had enough of talk.
Conservative
Don Stewart Conservative Toronto—St. Paul's, ON
I wonder if there's been any talk of expanding the MSP in order to fill some of the gaps that we have in that supply program.
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
Again, some outstanding work is being done in order to make sure that we invest in the things that the Canadian Armed Forces needs, but it requires the release of the money. That's why I'm here this morning.
Conservative
Don Stewart Conservative Toronto—St. Paul's, ON
Going back to the nine-millimetre, has there been a resolution on the supply of the nine-millimetre ammunition for the training of reservists?
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
Actually, there has been some very good work done in contracts with Canadian suppliers to make sure that this proceeds quickly. Yes, I think there's been real progress on that.