Mr. Speaker, the minister of defence just said that in 1992 they were looking at an incomplete helicopter and now in 1998 the Liberals have bought a complete helicopter. This may be a case of dumb and dumber, but even the Tories when they signed that contract, I am sure, were not dealing with billions of dollars on an incomplete helicopter.
My question is for the minister of defence. For the incredible expense that was incurred with buying these new helicopters when our Canadian Armed Forces deserve excellent equipment, why the flip-flop and why on earth is this based on politics rather than on good equipment for our armed forces?