Mr. Speaker, we learned earlier this week that the Department of National Defence was participating in a missile firing competition using F-18 aircraft.
The Canadian delegation was over 60 strong. While cutting in social programs, not only did the government allow missiles costing $400,000 a piece to be fired, but the Department of National Defence also offered free air transportation to Florida for Canadian media covering the event.
There is something indecent about this "charm the media" operation and the use of public funds for that purpose. Fortunately, most media outfits declined the Department of National Defence's offer.
When will the government realize that this country's means no longer match its ambitions and that the Department of National Defence must stop such frivolous spending?