Mr. Speaker, the opposition member knows full well that the question he posed to us was on the HMCS Chicoutimi , which I will deal with in a moment. However, I will address some of the concerns he has mentioned and some of the accusations that are baseless.
First, on the issue of equipment, very recently the government made a commitment of $7 billion for the purchase of five new equipment platforms for our military. This will address some of our concerns. We have also made a commitment to increase our troops by 5,000 on the sharp edge of our regular forces, plus 3,000 members in our reservists.
We cannot do everything, but I would submit that this is a very good start in trying to improve the conditions for our armed forces and ensuring they have all the equipment, the tools, the manpower and the training they need to do their job.
The opposition member also mentioned substandard equipment and suggested that the HMSC Chicoutimi was of that nature. I can tell the hon. member that when the House and the standing committee on national defence got together to discuss this, the issue of submarines came up. All parties, including the member's party, recommended unanimously that we purchase the four Upholder subs from Great Britain. This was a recommendation that was put forth to the government. The government acted on that recommendation and purchased the subs. If I can quote the head of our maritime forces, Admiral MacLean, and the British defence admiralty, both agreed that the Upholder submarines were excellent submarines.
We have the largest shoreline of any country in the world. It is our responsibility to ensure that we guard that area and that we have the ability to patrol those waters. With 40 countries in the world having subs, it would be ridiculous if we did not have them. We managed to purchase those subs at one-quarter of their value. With 80% of their lives left, that is a good deal. I think I can say that members from all political parties recommended we purchase them.
In closing, we do not account for a moment or except the claims the member has made.
On the issue of the Chicoutimi. , I summarize by saying this. When the member brought up this question, he made some accusations. I was here when the Minister of National Defence informed every leader and every party in the House in real time of what was happening after the families were informed. They were kept informed in real time to ensure they had the information that was of concern to all of us. That is responsible governance. It is our duty and we will continue to do that.