Mr. Speaker, the purchase of those Challenger jets will in no way detract from the equipment purchases for the Canadian forces. The funds will be reimbursed from the centre. The forces will continue to be able to operate the same programs and services. In the last four budgets there has been an increase in the Canadian forces budget by some 20%. Over $5 billion will continue to be put into the Canadian forces to help increase equipment purchases and support the training of our troops over the next five years.
In the House of Commons on April 10th, 2002. See this statement in context.