Mr. Chair, I note that Canada was a signatory to the 1967 outer space treaty which established a basic legal framework for general space exploration and utilization. It condemned at that time the possible future weaponization of space. I think that we still stand by that treaty.
To my knowledge, all parties in the House of Commons, and probably all 301 MPs and even the independent MPs, would support the fact that we rigorously oppose the weaponization of space.
That is certainly the position that we will be taking. Having said that, as I indicated earlier in my questioning of the minister, the only fault that I find with the position that he laid out here tonight is the timeline.
It is incumbent upon the government to get on with it. I have said that in the past ever since becoming the national defence critic for the official opposition. I have said, since last summer, we should get on with this. I said it to the predecessor to the current Minister of National Defence and he is here tonight to participate in the debate and so I say it again. Unlike some of my colleagues from the Bloc and the NDP that seem to be hesitant about this, I do not know how much more we need to study it.
I think that we need to debate it. All of us have to put forward our concerns in representing our constituents who are concerned about this issue. Ultimately it is incumbent upon the government to make a decision. Let us get on with it and let us be vigilant as we move forward.