Mr. Speaker, racism in all its forms is unacceptable, including within the Canadian Armed Forces.
Recently in The Globe and Mail, former defence minister David Pratt was right to call it out. However, his assertion that racism was solely to blame for the Somali affair misleads Canadians about what truly happened in Somali.
Members of the Canadian Airborne Regiment were poisoned with illegal use of the anti-malaria drug mefloquine. Shamefully, the Liberals shut down the Somali inquiry just before the misuse and impact of mefloquine toxicity was to be exposed. As a result, the airborne was disbanded. Mefloquine became DND's preferred anti-malaria drug until 2107. Families have been destroyed. Lives have been upended and lost to suicide.
The impact of the mefloquine Somali affair should have been investigated. While our allies have shown compassion and support for their soldiers impacted by this drug, the Liberal government prefers to meet our veterans in court.
The Somali affair is a painful chapter of our history. Our veterans all Canadians deserve to know the truth. This is one apology for which the Liberals refuse to take responsibility.