Bill Graham

[National Defence, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as I answered my hon. critic the other day, no decision has yet been made in terms of sole sourcing or otherwise acquiring answers for our transport fleet. It is very clear that we have to deal with the transport fleet. All hon. members know that. They would agree with me on that. It is an important part. The government is determined to do that and do that quickly.

We will do that, but we will make sure that it is done in a way which guarantees the security of the fleet and where we are delivering on what the forces need. We will take the forces' advice and their experience as to what they need for the job we are asking them to do.

[Government Aircraft, October 5th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, these jets are not used on a whim and it is incorrect to say that they are. Their use is strictly controlled. The jets are available only in case of emergency for government activities.

I suggest that the official opposition, which is using statistics prepared by a former Conservative candidate, do some research on these statistics before citing them in this House for partisan reasons. These are partisan statistics used for partisan purposes.

[National Defence, October 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member and many members of the House rejoice in the fact that in the last budget some $13.5 billion was consecrated to our forces. That is the largest single commitment to the armed forces in some 20 years. It will enable us to equip ourselves to do the job we have to do.

We will be going to Afghanistan with allies. They bring different equipment. We bring our assets. We are committed to making sure that our military is equipped with the best resources that we can possibly provide. I give the undertaking to the House that we will be doing that. The finance minister has provided us with the funds and the Prime Minister has provided us with the support to enable us to do that.

[National Defence, October 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has a long and proud military tradition himself.

I can assure the hon. member and members of the House that this government will never commit our troops to any operation without our Canadian Forces being behind us and without the advice of the top military officers of our country. They have advised us that we are going to this mission with the best led, best equipped and best prepared military we have ever had and the best one in Afghanistan. The hon. member should know that.

[Liberal Government, October 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I take commercial flights between Toronto and Ottawa several times a week. Lots of ministers and MPs use commercial flights. We use these aircraft only in circumstances where it is absolutely necessary to do so for the smooth functioning of our government.

Furthermore, as hon. members are well aware, two of them are reserved, one for the Prime Minister and one for the Governor General, since they cannot take commercial aircraft. We ministers use them according to the rules and requirements of good government. It is ridiculous to claim otherwise, as the member is doing.

[Liberal Government, October 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, members of the House, let us be reasonable here. The very reason we are discussing this today is that the government is open and transparent about these flights. They are all posted and available to the public. We have nothing to hide whatsoever.

These flights are used for government purposes. There are very few planes available. They are strictly rationed in respect of our needs to get around our country and for our international travel.

When the hon. member suggests that there is something corrupt about the use of these flights, he demeans the House and all members on both sides of the House who have used those flights on many occasions.

[Public Funds, October 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, there is an article in today's newspaper advancing the opinion of an individual who has reviewed certain flights.

First of all, I think we have to know what methodology was used, and second we need to know details of the individual cases.

I can assure the House, all hon. members—including those who have used the Challengers—and the other public servants, such as Chief Electoral Officer Kingsley, who is headed for Haiti this very day, that these aircraft are used solely for government purposes.

[Public Funds, October 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am not asking members of this House to break Treasury Board rules. I assure hon. members that the PMO and my office work in close conjunction to ensure that these aircraft are not used just any old time. They are a last resort solution, for use solely on government business when commercial options do not allow us to fulfill our responsibilities properly.

That is our policy, a good policy, good for this country and for the efficiency of our government.

[Public Funds, October 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister clearly said, we have specific rules. We have a very important asset for the country, namely four planes available for ministers and senior public officials and, from time to time, the opposition and other public figures to travel across this large country.

These planes are used in keeping with certain conditions and clear rules, which are always respected in the opinion of the Prime Minister's Office and in my opinion. Some may think otherwise, but I can assure the House and the hon. member that we have rules and we respect them.

[National Defence, September 30th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his letter. As I said to him in my response, our investigation internally did not indicate any records showing any such event. I am now looking at ways in which we could work with the individual who made the comments in question to see whether we could get any further information.

I assure the hon. member that I have this matter still under hand and I will continue the investigation. I do not want anything to go possibly where we could not find out the existence of any substance that is difficult for us to deal with on our bases. I will continue all efforts and work with the hon. member and the person to whom he spoke to find that out.