Mr. Speaker, since this is my first time raising a question in adjournment proceedings in this new chamber, I would like to salute the people of Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis and thank them for the privilege they have given me as I begin my 14th year as an MP. I rise this evening on their behalf, particularly on behalf of the Davie shipyard workers.
When the Conservatives left government in 2015, the shipyard had nearly 1,300 workers, and now it has only about 200 employees. They had the contract for the Asterix in the bag. Anyone who follows my work knows that I have been working hard to ensure that the Davie workers get the contract for the Obelix. Canada had two supply ships, which were built in 1969 and 1967. I was not very old when they were built, but I was born. One of those two ships caught fire and the other one was so rusted out that Vice-Admiral Norman decommissioned it, because it was kaput. This should remind the member opposite of something. When our government saw that, we got to work on the Asterix.
My colleague opposite, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, is well up on this file. All he has to do is tell his officials to exercise the option to purchase the Obelix. That is essential. Right now, the Royal Canadian Navy is renting ships from Chile and other countries. Our own sovereignty is in jeopardy. Canada is bordered by three oceans. This situation is unacceptable. My colleague has a chance to do something meaningful, to take the advice of people like Vice-Admiral Norman and to say that we need ships to resupply our vessels.
Vice-Admiral Norman is not the only one saying this. His senator friends agree. A report released in May 2017 by independent senators, who we know have Liberal leanings, recommended that the government:
Procure a second Resolve-Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship [in other words, the Obelix] by 2018 and retain both vessels, in service in conjunction with the projected Joint Support Ships...
The problem with the Liberals' shipbuilding strategy is that it is costly and is yielding no ships. We desperately need ships. Shipyard workers are ready. The Liberals are proud of the Asterix, so they should give us the Obelix. We will do that on time and on budget, with no risk. It is good for taxpayers, for the Royal Canadian Navy and for shipyard workers.
My colleague will probably ask me why we did not give it to Davie in 2011. There were some issues then, but the shipyard is ready now, and it is time to award it some contracts. I urge my colleague to do the right thing. There are contracts for Halifax and British Columbia, but Quebec is just as capable of building boats. Davie is building boats, and it is time to give it these contracts.
I am eager to hear from my colleague. I hope he will tell us that the Liberals are planning to give the contract for the Obelix to the shipyard workers. It will be good for the navy, for workers, for the government and for taxpayers.