Evidence of meeting #112 for Veterans Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was conflict.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Excuse me, Mr. Richards. Your question was a minute and 25 seconds, so I think you have to let the Minister reply to that.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Excuse me.
Minister, you have the floor for one minute and 25 seconds. Please go ahead.
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I don't want to waste a lot of time talking about the Conservatives' dismal record on defence spending. For two years, they took defence spending below 1% of GDP. In the last nine years, they voted against almost every single investment in national defence.
The projections we provided are part of a clear plan and a budget we brought forward in April 2024. I think it's a clear articulation. Our budget for the coming year—while we're still the government—is going to increase defence spending by 27%. That's real action and investment. It's absolutely required, and—
Conservative
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
—I'm very hopeful that we'll get some support from the Conservatives in passing that legislation and authorizing that money.
However, if I may, I'll go back to the other very important question about the chaplain general's directive. He issued a directive at that time. It was very clear, in my reading of it, that it was his intention not to exclude anyone, but rather to enable everyone attending a commemorative event to feel included. The Canadian Armed Forces is diverse. Canada is a diverse country with many different faith traditions. Our intent was to make sure.... Excuse me, the chaplain general's intent was to make sure that everyone could feel included and participate in reflection or prayer, no matter their belief.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
The Freudian slip of “our intent” was very interesting.
He did not respond to the idea of why there was a need for a reprieve, but maybe I'll ask him a different way, then.
When Colonel Lisa Pacarynuk, the director of chaplaincy services, appeared on an Ottawa radio program, she was asked about people's concern about not being able to say prayers of any faith during Remembrance Day.... She said, “In certain settings,” of course, “in faith-based settings and church settings, they...of course will speak about their own faith and the role that God or their heavenly being has in that setting”. This is the key part: “But in a public setting,” from that perspective, “where there are people who do not believe in God or...who bring [other] perspectives, they will not use that [God] language.” She was very clear that you're not to reference any kind of God or higher being, and not to pray from any kind of faith perspective. That was clear on the radio program, and it was clear in the fact that there was a need to announce a reprieve.
How can you say there's no prayer ban?
Let me ask you this, as well: How many chaplains have faced disciplinary measures or had their chaplaincy revoked, as a result of this directive?
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
First of all, I'm not aware that any chaplain would be disciplined for this or have their chaplaincy revoked.
With regard to one of the things that you comment on, I think it does reveal the reason for the reprieve. There was so much misinformation that was put out by various individuals about the chaplains—
Liberal
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
—because he has very clearly indicated that's the case?
You can't talk about this situation—
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
—without pointing out that his own official indicated that it's a ban.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
His own official indicated that it's a ban, so is he saying his own official is guilty of—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Mr. Richards, come on.
We need more discipline, guys.
Minister, you have the floor.
Listen, Mr. Richards. You asked a question, so why don't you stop to listen for the answer? My goodness.
Conservative
