Debates of May 15th, 2019

Department of National Defence—Main Estimates, 2019-20

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, we were faced with a capability gap, and we did not want to wait until the future fighters competition. We wanted to invest in our air force now.

This is one of the reasons we are filling this interim capability gap with aircraft from Australia. Currently, we are in the process of making sure that we modernize our legacy fleet while we have the open competition going on for the future fleet.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam Chair, the current Liberal government has an abysmal track record when it comes to negotiating with our key partners, especially the United States. The negotiations on the new free trade agreement were a total disaster. Then, the U.S. President called Canada a freeloader for not meeting the NATO target of spending 2% of GDP on defence. Now the Americans are threatening to kick us out of the joint strike fighter program.

What is the minister going to do to improve relations with our main ally?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, that could not be further from the truth. In fact, right now at NATO we are leading a battle group in Latvia, alongside our other partners, such as the U.S. We are leading the NATO training mission in Iraq right now. We have sporadic air policing. We are actually shoulder to shoulder with our partners in monitoring the sanctions against North Korea. We are conducting counter-terrorism operations, such as Operation Artemis. We are also supporting the work of the United Nations. The list goes on.

We are doing a lot of work, and we are very proud of the way Canada has stepped up with the U.S.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam Chair, Canadian aerospace companies have the extensive knowledge and experience needed to participate in F-35 development.

Can the minister tell us how many jobs will be lost if Canada gets kicked out of the joint strike fighter program?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, I did not catch the full question. I think it is about the F-18. Could I have the question repeated?

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam Chair, I was talking about the F-35s.

Canada has aerospace companies. Can the minister tell us how many jobs will be lost if Canada gets kicked out of the joint strike fighter program?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, I apologize. The translation came out in my ear as F-18. I understand the question now.

When it comes to any government procurement, there are benefits to the Canadian industry, and we are committed to that. Our defence policy has also emphasized the focus of working with our defence industry.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam Chair, at stake are 10,000 jobs, 110 Canadian firms and over $1.5 billion in spinoffs.

If the United States were to boot Canada from the joint strike fighter program, what would the minister say to families affected by job losses?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, we are committed to making sure that the Canadian Armed Forces have all the tools necessary, including the fighter fleet. We are also committed to making sure that through our defence procurement Canadian companies benefit, whether it is from our fighter fleet or from our shipbuilding program.

Through the defence industry, our Canadian companies are benefiting.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam Chair, considering the government's ongoing problems with this file, will the minister acknowledge that the Prime Minister's 2015 promise to scrap the F-35s and hold an open competition was ill-advised defence policy that ran contrary to Canada's interests?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, we are committed to an open competition, which is exactly what we are doing. We are on track for that. We are making investments in the air force.

In fact, it was stated by the leader of the Conservative Party as well in a speech that he would conduct an open competition to replace our fighters. I am glad that the leader of that party is agreeing with us on this. There might have been a bit of disagreement between the members and their leader. I am not sure about that.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam Chair, considering ongoing concerns about maintenance and training and retaining pilots and technicians, is it true that purchasing Australian F-18s would have little or no effect on reducing the capability gap that your government made up for political reasons in the first place?

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The member must address the chair, not the minister.

The hon. minister has the floor.

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, we are committed to making sure that we have not only the aircraft but also the pilots. Maybe the previous government, because it wanted fewer planes, slowed down recruitment for that reason.

However, we have started recruiting, not only pilots and mechanics but also recruiting from some of the key trades, and things are going extremely well with the recruiting.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam Chair, is there a cancellation clause for the purchase of the Australian F-18s?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, we are committed to making sure our Canadian Armed Forces have all the tools they need for what we ask them to do, whether it is flying our missions currently or into the future. We are also committed to the open competition. I am very proud of the work of our officials.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam Chair, I will repeat my question because I think it is really important.

Can the minister tell us whether there is a cancellation clause for the purchase of the Australian F-18s?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, we are committed to making sure we put the right investments into our air force, making sure it has not only the right number of aircraft but also the additional capability. With the interim aircraft arriving, the first two are going to have—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member can ask one last question.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam Chair, I asked the minister if there is a cancellation clause for the purchase of the Australian F-18s.

Is that the case, yes or no?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, when it comes to the work we do, there are always various clauses making sure we are protected. When it comes to—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Unfortunately, time is up.

Resuming debate, the hon. member for Mississauga—Lakeshore.

[Sven Spengemann, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Madam Chair, I am pleased to use my time today to tell you and the committee more about what the defence team is doing to support Canada's return to the world stage.

Our country is taking on new leadership roles and promoting the values that Canadians hold dear, such as peace, human rights and democracy.

Canadians have told us they want Canada to continue to be a leader in supporting peace and security around the world. They want Canada to contribute in concrete ways that have a direct and positive impact on the lives of people in conflict zones. They want Canada to do its part as a responsible international actor, with strong alliances and friendships around the world. That is exactly what Canada is doing.

ln our defence policy, “Strong, Secure, Engaged”, Canada affirmed its steadfast dedication to these long-standing alliances and partnerships.

Through our renewed commitments to peacekeeping, international operations and the United Nations' multilateral efforts, we are showing the world that Canada is committed and demonstrating leadership. We are showing that we are a reliable and valuable partner to our allies and that we will defend democratic principles and a rules-based international order.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to see for myself how Canada is contributing to international peace and security in Mali. Through Operation Presence, Air Task Force Mali delivers vital airlift capabilities in support of the United Nations assistance mission in Mali. Last month, it transported members of the Dutch Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Task Group, enabling safe and efficient patrol far beyond their normal range.

That is an example of how our airlift capabilities are enhancing the safety of the local population. On April 24, this capability saved lives.

After a passenger bus struck an IED, Task Force Mali members conducted an aeromedical evacuation, getting critically injured civilians to life-saving medical care as quickly as possible.

Our 250 women and men in uniform will remain in Mali until the end of July in order to fulfill the one-year rotation that Canada promised in March 2018. As part of our joint commitment approach, Canada is working with Romania, the United Nations and Germany to ensure the successful transition of this essential capability.

As I mentioned, I had the opportunity to travel to Senegal and Mali earlier this year, with the House Standing Committee on National Defence. My colleagues and I witnessed first-hand the professionalism, commitment and excellence of the Canadian Armed Forces members deployed to Task Force Mali. We owe them and all current and former members of our armed forces a profound debt of gratitude for their courage and exemplary service at home and abroad.

I would also like to take a moment to recognize peacekeepers from other nations who are serving or have served under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA: the women and men in uniform, as well as the UN civilian staff, led by the special representative of the Secretary-General for Mali, Mr. Mahamat Annadif, and the deputy special representatives of the Secretary-General, Ms. Joanne Adamson and Ms. Mbaranga Gasarabwe.

The United Nations team is working very hard to achieve peace and a stable future for Mali and the Sahel region in west Africa. The region is dealing with complex, ever-changing problems, such as drought, poverty, limited access to education, civil society's exclusion from politics, violent crime, drug trafficking, armed conflict and terrorism.

They also face significant personal risk. In fact, MINUSMA is currently the United Nations' most dangerous mission. I would like to thank them for their service and commitment to our shared values, as embodied in the United Nations charter.

Canada is also working hard to support peace and stability in the Middle East. The main estimates include funds to support the two-year extension of Operation Impact, until March 2021. This military contribution is a vital component of Canada's whole-of-government Middle East strategy, a strategy that includes security and stabilization, humanitarian aid and diplomatic engagement in Iraq, Syria and the region. That is because we need sustained, multipronged efforts to address the root causes of conflict and set the stage for long-term stability. The Middle East strategy supports the global coalition to ensure the lasting defeat of Daesh.

Extending Operation Impact includes the authority to send up to 850 members of our Canadian Armed Forces to support the global coalition, the NATO mission in Iraq, and enhancement activities with the Jordanian and Lebanese armies.

Canada is proud to have Major-General Dany Fortin leading NATO's training mission to strengthen the defence and security institutions in Iraq.

Across the globe, our Canadian Forces members are known and respected as highly trained and skilled professionals and leaders. They are being called upon to share this expertise through operations like Operation Unifier in Ukraine, where our women and men in uniform have trained more than 11,400 Ukrainian soldiers.

Roughly 200 Canadian Armed Forces members are helping to develop Ukraine's defence and security forces through combined arms training, military engineering, logistics, military policing and medical training. That training supports Ukraine by enhancing the ability on the part of Ukrainians to defend themselves and to contribute to regional and international stability.

ln fact, our Canadian Armed Forces have been supporting Ukraine through training efforts since Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014. By extending Operation Unifier for another three years, Canada will continue to demonstrate our unwavering support for Ukraine and continue to be a leader in securing the international community's support for the Ukrainian people. This capacity-building also strengthens global security, as it supports Ukrainian aspirations to become a NATO ally.

This is a good reminder of Canada's close ties to NATO. We were a founding member 70 years ago and today our commitment is stronger than ever.

At any given time, we have up to 915 members deployed on Operation Reassurance to support NATO's defence and deterrence measures in central and eastern Europe. That makes Operation Reassurance Canada's largest international military operation at the present time.

On the water, HMCS Toronto is deployed to Operation Reassurance as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two. The crew strengthens international and regional stability through surveillance and monitoring, capacity-building, regional defence and diplomatic engagement.

On land, Canada is a framework nation in NATO's mission to deter potential Russian aggression in the Baltics, and we are leading the enhanced forward presence battle group in Latvia.

This multinational battle group is sending a strong message of allied solidarity.

The honour and courage of every soldier cannot be overstated, each risking personal harm to help make the world safer and more secure, and sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice.

Canada joins Battle Group Latvia allies in mourning the loss of Major Klodian Tanushi and Corporal Zarife Hasanaj, two Albanian soldiers who recently lost their lives following a demining incident.

In our defence policy, “Strong, Secure, Engaged”, Canada reiterated its commitment to the principle of collective defence, which is at the heart of NATO's founding treaty. Our Canadian Armed Forces' participation in NATO's enhanced air policing missions as part of Operation Reassurance is another testament to that commitment.

Since 2014, Canada has joined in four air policing missions, and our most recent participation ran from September to December of last year.

Air Task Force Romania includes approximately 135 women and men in uniform and six CF-18 Hornets that are helping to deter aggression by potential adversaries in the region. Last October they intercepted and escorted a Russian SU-27 Flanker out of Romanian airspace. That is only one example of how our people help safeguard the integrity of the alliance's airspace. The next ATF Romania will deploy in September for another four months.

Canada is also showing leadership and commitment to maritime security in Middle Eastern and East African waters.

From December 2018 to April 2019, Canada was proud to command Combined Task Force 150. About 40 Canadian Armed Forces members served in the CTF 150 headquarters on Operation Artemis, our mission being to stop terrorism and make the Middle East waters more secure.

In April alone, the HMCS Regina made three narcotics seizures, intercepting and destroying more than 7,000 kilograms of hashish and more than 1,500 kilograms of heroin.

Canada is proud of its role in advancing global peace and security. We believe in democracy and in protecting a rules-based international order. Our government will continue to work across borders, across disciplines and across party lines, taking a whole-of-government, multilateral approach to advance our cherished and critical Canadian values.

We continue to live in turbulent times, but through all of it, our deployed women and men represent Canada with professionalism, leadership and excellence. For that, we owe them again our unwavering support and our most profound gratitude.

Again, a very happy birthday, Mr. Chair.

I would now like to ask a few questions to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence.

Mr. Chair, over a year ago, our government launched the innovation for defence excellence and security program, also known as IDEaS, which is helping to spur new research to solve important challenges, thanks to an investment of $1.6 billion into our innovation community over the next 20 years.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence update the House on the progress made over the course of the last year?

[Serge Cormier, Liberal, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Mississauga—Lakeshore for his excellent work at the Standing Committee on National Defence. It is an honour and a pleasure to work with him.

The IDEaS Program opened a number of doors to industries, universities, and innovators when it comes to research and development into the defence capabilities that we need. Over the past year, we received more than 600 proposals from across Canada. As a result, we invested $27 million in 160 contracts that are already paying off.

I had the chance to be in Montreal during the forum run by Aero Montreal, which brings together several businesses and companies that are already benefiting from these contracts. I was very impressed with their work. They are very happy with the investments we are making to help them grow in this field.

[Sven Spengemann, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Chair, mental health issues are challenging, and much has been done to improve access to services and eliminate the stigma experienced by those suffering from operational or post-traumatic stress injuries.

Can the parliamentary secretary inform the House of what National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces have done to improve their mental health services for our women and men in uniform?