Mr. Speaker, our current strength, quite different from the Ottawa Citizen , is actually 58,600 out of a commitment of 60,000. That is 98%. We are at 98% capacity in the Canadian forces and we are growing every day with our recruitment program.
Lost his last election, in 2004, with 35% of the vote.
National Defence September 25th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, our current strength, quite different from the Ottawa Citizen , is actually 58,600 out of a commitment of 60,000. That is 98%. We are at 98% capacity in the Canadian forces and we are growing every day with our recruitment program.
National Defence September 25th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the member is quoting from his source, the Ottawa Citizen , which is usually very misleading, which also are parts of his question. Our defence policy--
Terrorism September 25th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence is holding consultations as we speak and the Prime Minister held consultations.
It is our not our policy to discuss operational developments in front of national television. I am sure the protection and the well-being of our Canadian forces should be uppermost in our minds. We do not discuss operational developments in front of national television.
Customs Act September 21st, 2001
You are in a dream world.
Customs Act September 21st, 2001
Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague questions whether the U.S. would support the programs contained in Bill S-23.
I point out to the member and to anyone else who cares to listen that these programs, CANPASS, EPPS, NEXUS, are all similar to programs that currently exist in the United States. We are joint partners with the United States in the NEXUS program. The member talks as though we have no connection whatsoever or that somehow we have not consulted and that we are acting in isolation. This is not true.
How can the member say that the United States is not aware of these programs when we are joint partners with the United States? The member knows that. Trying to score a few cheap political points is inappropriate. I would like him to withdraw the fact that the United States is not aware of these programs. It is well aware of them. It is our partner.
Access to Information and Privacy Acts September 18th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, two copies of the National Defence and Canadian Forces ombudsman 2000-01 annual report to parliament on the administration of the Access to Information and Privacy Acts.
National Defence June 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, in addition to a registry of gulf war veterans with health concerns established in 1995 and 1997, veterans with continuing health concerns were thoroughly examined and evaluated at a gulf war clinic which was established for this purpose. Some veterans were later admitted for additional assessment.
Once again I urge anyone who has a medical problem in the Canadian forces to come forward to the Canadian forces medical clinics and be examined.
National Defence June 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, Canada was the first NATO country to open post-deployment clinics. These clinics are open to Canadian forces members and their families and to veterans of any peacekeeping operation who have concerns about their health.
I urge anyone who thinks they have a medical problem to make use of these facilities and to visit one of the centres for injured and retired members and their families at the nearest medical facility.
National Defence June 6th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, these are military specifications, written by the military, passed on to the Minister of Defence, passed on to cabinet and accepted exactly as they were written by the military. There is no political interference whatsoever in the requirement of the helicopters.
What the opposition does not understand is that there are two different helicopter projects plus the upgrade of the existing requirements. They just do not understand that they are trying to compare apples and oranges. There is no political interference whatsoever here.
National Defence June 6th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the government will not shy away from its responsibility to ensure the safety of the Sea Kings and those who fly them. The air force follows a very strict maintenance and inspection regime, including three rigorous flight inspections. We will not put anyone's life at risk, no matter what the opposition wants to push.