House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 67% of the vote.
Department Of National Defence September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister asked me to be Minister of Defence he said it was going to be a tough four year slog. I think I can now agree with him.
When you take on a challenge in life you do not back down when things get tough. As long as I have the confidence of the Prime Minister and my colleagues I will see this through and in the end we will have a better armed forces for it.
Somalia Inquiry September 23rd, 1996
I see the hon. member rising. Perhaps he is somewhat excited because I was about to say that I will take responsibility for bringing in a white paper, for helping to rationalize the infrastructure of the armed forces, for downsizing, delayering and reducing headquarters, for bringing private sector techniques into purchasing and management of the armed forces. That is responsibility and I am proud of it.
Somalia Inquiry September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I think I have answered the question with respect to ministerial responsibility. However, if that is not good enough, I believe I have been responsible for a number of things in the last three years.
Somalia Inquiry September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I believe that we on this side of the House have taken our responsibility in the management of this issue. It has been a very difficult issue for the country, for the government and for the Canadian Armed Forces.
My party in opposition in April 1993 took its responsibility by calling for a public inquiry. In office, at the earliest opportunity after the courts martial were convened and concluded, we took our responsibility by appointing three independent commissioners for the public inquiry.
This government will continue to take its responsibility when the inquiry reports next year and we will respond to the inquiry's findings.
The Canadian Armed Forces September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, we have answered these questions for what I think is the sixth day in a row.
There is a commission of inquiry. The inquiry will look at all the facts of concern to the hon. member. When the inquiry finishes its work, which is expected to be in March of next year, the government will respond. At that time, I am sure the hon. member's concerns will be allayed on a number of fronts.
The Canadian Armed Forces September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the hon. member allowed me the occasion to find another citation from the deputy critic of the Reform Party. He said: "There is a whole bunch of excellent people in the armed forces. Super people and good leaders as well. Unhappily, the tar or the mud that is being flung at the top is floating down and sticking to some of these people". Who is flinging the tar and the mud? It is the opposition.
The Canadian Armed Forces September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I forget my lines from Gilbert and Sullivan, but if I could recite them I am sure the hon. member would have a place in them.
The deputy critic of the Reform Party on the weekend on CBC said: "I do not wish to convict General Boyle. I would like to see him out of the seat right now because I think he is doing tremendous damage to the forces". What the hon. deputy critic said was that he was asking for removal, not for dismissal.
Again, we have two separate points of view from members of the Reform Party. The hon. member for Saanich-Gulf Islands, who is not here today, went on to say-
The Canadian Armed Forces September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, one of Canada's prominent historians, Desmond Morton, said some time ago on a radio program that there are always problems with peacetime armies.
What we are facing in Canada is not unlike what our allies are facing. I raised this last week. It happened also after the second world war. When there is a massive demobilization of resources and personnel, it creates a lot of disquiet among the ranks. After all, the military is a very hierarchical and very authoritarian organization and when rapid change is thrust upon it, it makes it very difficult for the institution to accept.
However, I have to say that after nearly three years in the job, I am impressed with the men and women of the armed forces and what they have done to accommodate the changes, to accommodate the budget cuts, the reduction of personnel and the introduction of private sector methods in terms of purchasing. All of that they have done in an exemplary fashion.
I would only hope that hon. members opposite could focus on the good things the men and women of the armed forces have done and not on the negative things.
The Canadian Armed Forces September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member seems to be preoccupied with the remarks of former officers of the Canadian Armed Forces. What I am concerned with are the views and opinions of serving officers of the armed forces. I met with the leadership last week and despite the problems, despite all of the things that are going on that make them feel rather bad and which are bad for the institution, they are solid in their support and they want to continue forward.
The Canadian Armed Forces September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, it would be useful if the hon. member were to talk to his colleague, the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata. Last week on RDI she said that the armed forces were in need of a good house cleaning. I believe those were her words; I do not have the French translation.
I believe she said that the Canadian Forces needed a good housecleaning, and that Mr. Collenette-pardon me for using my name-was the one who needed to do it.
In other words his own colleague two seats away expressed confidence in me and I am very grateful to continue with the work I am doing.