Mr. Speaker, “Strong, Secure, Engaged” is the policy that the Minister of National Defence introduced last June.
This policy states that the Royal Canadian Navy needs at least two joint support ships to protect our three oceans and assist support missions, and yet there is not a single ship that is able to fulfill these crucial functions. Indeed, the unexpected deployment of the Preserver and the Protecteur has made Canada vulnerable.
Our Conservative government urgently commissioned the Asterix, which will soon be completed, but Canada is in urgent need of another ship. It is time that the Minister of National Defence and his policy walk the walk. The Davie shipyard workers are ready and completed the first ship, Asterix, on time and on budget.
It is time for the Liberals to award the contract for the Obelix before the holidays. The workers are ready and so are the suppliers. The navy needs it and our safety depends on it. Let Davie help Canada.