Mr. Chairman, let me begin by thanking you for the opportunity to speak in support of our Canadian forces, the men and women who courageously work on our behalf at home and abroad. They are very much in our minds today as many of them prepare for participation in the military response to the events of September 11.
The military contributions being made by Canada to the campaign to eradicate international terrorism raise other thoughts, particularly for the members of the House who dedicate significant portions of their time and attention to questions of defence and security.
In forming my own thoughts in recent weeks, I have considered the same range of policy, programs and other issues that others here today have already spoken of.
One thing that has forcibly struck me and sticks in my mind is the underscored significance of the government's commitment to maintaining multipurpose, combat prepared forces equipped to perform a wide range of missions alongside our allies.
I have also been impressed with the relevance of these circumstances and of the wide range of initiatives undertaken by the government in support of our Canadian armed forces.
Over the past decade, for example, the government has shown its commitment to acquiring the equipment necessary to enable men and women of our forces to perform the complex and varied defence tasks expected of them. For starters, through 1999 and 2000 federal budgets and through supplementary funding, the government has reinvested more than $3 billion over a period of four years. However, like anything else, it is not enough and it is not just about money. It is also about spending this money very wisely. This is being done by targeting resources in key areas, including modernization.
Prompted by some startling headlines on this subject in recent months, it is worth emphasizing here that thanks to major investments in equipment the Canadian forces are better equipped now than they were a decade ago. Allow me to illustrate with several key examples from each of the navy, land and air forces.
The navy has four updated and modernized tribal class destroyers. One of our destroyers, the HMCS Iroquois , will be the central command and control vessel for the Canadian task force group being deployed as part of our Operation Apollo.
The Canadian forces also possess 12 modern patrol frigates equipped with high tech sensors and radars, as well as complex and capable weapon systems. They operate regularly as fully integrated members of the U.S. carrier battle groups.
Two of our frigates will also be deployed to Operation Apollo alongside U.S. warships, a fact that attests to the capability and expertise of our crews here in Canada.
Four Victoria class submarines that will replace the three 1960 vintage Oberon class submarines will be capable of conducting a more complex operation with fewer personnel and less maintenance than their predecessors.
Recent equipment acquisitions for the troops have focused on acquiring more deployable and operational mobile equipment, including the fast and manoeuverable Coyote reconnaissance vehicles and the LAV III armoured personnel carriers. This equipment is considered by our allies to be worldclass and both of these vehicles are built right here in Canada.
The high tech Coyotes and their well trained crews won rave reviews for their work in Kosovo and most recently in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The army has also acquired the tactical command, control and communications system and a number of other pieces of equipment, such as upgraded Leopard tanks and new, versatile personal clothing and protective equipment.
All of this helps our soldiers do the job the government is asking of them.
With regard to our air forces, the government has also taken significant steps to ensure they have the equipment they need to do the job.
In addition to acquiring 15 new Cormorant search and rescue helicopters, the first two of which arrived in Canada just days ago, the government has announced modernization programs for both the CF-18 fighters and the Aurora marine patrol aircraft, two of which we will be deploying shortly to the Middle East.
The modernization of our Aurora long range patrol aircraft with state of the art main computers and enhanced navigation and communication systems, will enhance the CF-18's ability to carry out coastal patrols and surveillance activities.
Similarly, the government's incremental modernization project currently being implemented on the CF-18 aircraft will provide for a range of leading edge upgrades, including new radar, radios, a night vision imaging system, a helmet mounted sight system and weapons management on computer.
These investments will build on earlier ones in precision-guided munitions and targeting pods that our pilots employed with great skill as part of Canada's contribution to the NATO led air command over the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999.
As for replacing the Sea King helicopters, the government has indicated very clearly in the House that the marine helicopter project is the number one equipment priority for the Canadian forces. These will be combat capable helicopters able to work hand-in-glove with our worldclass frigates.
Taken together, these equipment modernization efforts, combined with investments in education, training and the quality of life of the men and women in the military and their families, will help ensure that the Canadian forces and the Department of National Defence are a force to be contended with.
Looking back, we can see that Canadian forces have adapted well to the demands of the post-cold war world. They have responded to the diverse assignments, including search and rescue operations, Arctic and maritime sovereignty patrols, year 2000 contingency planning, assistance to Canadians during ice storms and flooding, support of law enforcement agencies and a broad spectrum of international operations.
Defence will continue to pursue, as called on by the NATO defence capabilities initiative, innovative ways to invest defence dollars through pooling of resources and strategic partnerships with our allies. The men and women of the Canadian forces will continue to respond to the call to defend our country and our allies.
It is very clear that the men and women of the Canadian forces are the top individuals in the world. They put their lives on the line to defend this country, to protect our citizens and to serve our nation well. We must be very proud of the military and we must make sure that they are well supplied and they are able to carry out those functions in the best possible fashion.
I salute our soldiers of the past, our soldiers of the present and our soldiers who will be serving this country in a short time in the future. All Canadians must be very sure that first, they will defend our country as well as anyone; and second, we can be proud that they will defend our country with the greatest integrity there is.