National Defence Committee on Sept. 28th, 2023

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Perfect.

Can you tell us why those non-public funds for employees, 40% of which are members of military families....? Why are those employees being paid less than the federal minimum wage?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I don't have an answer for that. I wasn't aware of that. You have brought it to my attention, and I'll look into it.

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

As you know—and we're hopefully talking in committee shortly about Canadian military housing—they are short thousands and thousands of units. Canada owns quite a lot of land that could be used, potentially, for some of those military houses. They're underutilized lots. They are near bases. Will you consider partnering with non-profits and co-operatives to transfer land for the development of affordable housing close to base so that military families can stay close to base, and to help deal with those skyrocketing rent costs?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

What I will undertake is that we are looking at a number of what I believe could be very innovative solutions. There is a significant deficit of housing for Canadian Armed Forces members—almost 7,000 housing units, as I understand it. I think there are some very innovative ways—you've referred to a couple of them—but we're going to examine all of the ways that we might be able to move forward.

As you've already indicated, we have land. We don't necessarily have enough resources to do that, but there are some very innovative ways that we could approach that and get that done.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Okay. We're going to leave it there.

Mrs. Gallant, you have five minutes.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Thank you.

Minister, what do you consider to be the most imminent external threat facing our nation?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I could talk in geopolitical terms. Quite frankly, Russian activity in the invasion of a sovereign country I think is a direct threat to the rules-based order that is an agreement among nations on how each nation should be secure. I think that is a significant threat to us. It's one of the reasons we so vigorously support the efforts of Ukraine.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

You don't see a threat on our territory.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I'll get to that. We're also seeing other hostile nations, and I would reference particularly China, demonstrating a disregard for that rules-based order. There are other nations as well. I think there is a very significant threat. It's one of the reasons we work so carefully with our allies in order to secure that. We're making significant investments to do that.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

What do you see as the emerging battle-space domain?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

There are a couple of places. I'm very concerned about the Arctic. The Arctic is a place of vulnerability for us, but I might reference not just the physical domain but also the cyber domain. I think that is a very significant challenge to us. I have the chief here with me. I'm sure she'd be able to be more fulsome about that. We are being attacked in that domain every single day, every hour of every day, and it is necessary for us to vigorously defend Canada's interests in that domain as well.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Have you put any plans in motion to start defending our low-earth orbit domain?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Yes, ma'am. We work very closely with our allies in that regard. There has been a significant increase in the capacity and capability of those who are hostile to our interests. We are working with our allies to respond to that.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

It's very difficult to have even one of our submarines in the water at a given point in time. Where is Canada in the procurement of a replacement submarine for the Victoria class?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I have been briefed that the Victoria-class submarines are still in operation, obviously, but they are aging out, and—

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

No order has already been placed. Has the procurement process not been started for the new fleet?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

We have not made an order, but there is work ongoing in order to look at the best path forward for Canada. There are a number options available to us. We are also speaking very closely with our allies.

I would also mention that the chief of defence and I have had discussions quite recently with some of our allies with respect to some work that is being done, particularly among our Five Eyes allies, with various platforms and investments that we believe will inform the decisions we have to make with respect to the replacement of the Victoria-class submarines.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Troop morale is at the lowest it's been in a quarter of a century. How will you instill the confidence in our military members that they've lost after being put into theatre without helmets, food provisions, reliable transport, modern anti-tank weapons, counter-drone systems and a dedicated short-range air defence system to guard against helicopters and tech planes?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

We did not put people into harm's way without helmets, but I'm aware of what you're reporting on.

I think we do that. We address the morale, first of all, by creating that safe, inclusive and respectful work environment for every member of the service. We also do that by demonstrating our commitment to make significant investments in the ships, the planes, the platforms and the equipment they need to make sure they have a modern capability. I've come to understand how important kit can be to the men and women who serve.

Finally, I think we also do that by our expeditionary and domestic engagements. People join the Canadian Armed Forces and I think are proud to serve in these deployments in Latvia, in the Indo-Pacific region and around the country.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

When will our first extra supply ship...or next supply ship be delivered?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I don't actually have the schedule for that. The deputy minister might be able to provide that in the next round of questioning.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

We'll do that later, then.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Yes. I was going to suggest that you ask him.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Okay.

What steps are you taking to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces have the naval capabilities, air support, air defence, ground support and firepower that we ask of them when we ask them to do it?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Those procurements, the ones that we have already committed to, are moving forward apace. I think we remain on track. Although there are always challenges with the delivery of some of those very significant investments, we are proceeding with them.

As well, I've had a number of conversations. There are other procurement decisions that we are on the cusp of making. I'll announce that when it's the appropriate time.