David Collenette

[National Defence, June 3rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, members should know that the department accepted hon. Justice Marin's recommendations and all investigations are now the responsibility of the military police. The special investigation unit no longer initiates or conducts such investigations. However, it does have specialized equipment and is able to use it in support of the military police. I emphasize in support of the military police. Even these activities are fully consistent with Canadian law, including the Criminal Code and the Privacy Act.

[Government Contracts, May 31st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, again this question has been answered.

The individual concerned assisted with finding a solution to a very difficult matter and then implementing it. Certain individuals by an adjudicator's decision were given benefits to which they were not entitled under the War Veterans Allowance Act which was passed by this House in the 1920s. As a result there was an overpayment of nearly $30 million a year for 10 years. That was unacceptable.

This government reviewed every single spending priority and found that we could not sustain this kind of expenditure because Parliament did not originally intend members of the resistance to get those funds. In fact Canada was the only country paying those particular individuals.

The hon. member is so concerned about the administrative procedures within my budget but can he assure me that his own leader's budget is not being used in the same way? Can he assure me that his leader has not been making similar arrangements with people associated with the Reform Party? We know that at least three defeated Reform candidates are working for members opposite, including the leader of the Reform Party.

[Government Contracts, May 31st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have explained this matter a number of times in the House.

There are budgets for full time employees. There are budgets for people who are hired on a short term project basis. The one that has been referred to in the House was a short term project which obviously was extended because of the nature of the legislative changes that were made with respect to the War Veterans Allowance Act.

The key thing here is that the arrangement followed Treasury Board guidelines. That was stated by the President of the Treasury Board. It has been stated by me in this House. It has been stated by my officials.

The hon. member is giving the false impression that what was done in the case of those people whom I retained contravened Treasury Board guidelines. I would hope that the member would stop giving out this misinformation because it is absolutely false.

[The Late William Kempling, May 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join in the tribute that was so eloquently given by the member for Sherbrooke, the leader of the Conservative Party, for our old friend and colleague, Bill Kempling.

Bill served in this House for 21 years. I was privileged to serve with him for 10 of those years. He was chief government whip from 1980 to 1983. I really got to know him well because at that time we were going through the very emotional debates on the Constitution. Mr. Speaker, I know you remember them as well. They were difficult, they were emotional, they were very partisan but Bill Kempling, despite being partisan in the Chamber, as most of us are when we feel very strongly about issues, was the perfect gentleman and a friendly colleague in the lobby.

Bill was well prepared for the rough and tumble world of politics because he enjoyed a successful career as a businessman. Other than overcoming the physical challenge that has been mentioned, the real test for him came as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force during the second world war.

Bill Kempling's distinguished wartime career is one that should be remembered. He joined the RCAF in 1941 at the age of 20 and went on to fly in virtually every theatre of war, from England and northwest Europe to the Mediterranean and southeast Asia. He showed enormous courage and determination in the face of danger.

On one occasion, he took part in a daring mission in which allied forces landed behind enemy lines in Burma to blow up bridges and railways. It took six months before the men returned to India and freedom. The region's dense jungle and rugged mountains were formidable obstacles, but that did not mean much to Bill Kempling and his determination.

The campaign in southeast Asia was tough by any standard. Mr. Kempling was one of the many Canadians who had to face not only a battle-hardened enemy but also the natural elements that showed little mercy. The climate was harsh and the living conditions were often appalling but the Canadians persevered.

Bill left the air force in 1945, having achieved the very distinguished rank of flight lieutenant.

Bill Kempling served his country with pride and commitment in the second world war. He overcame numerous challenges and hardships and for nearly four years performed this duty whenever he was called on. Because of men and women like Bill Kempling, Canada and the Royal Canadian Air Force made an important contribution to allied victory in the second world war. His wartime record reflects the skill and bravery of all RCAF personnel during that long and bitter conflict.

Bill Kempling knew the meaning of sacrifice. He risked his life, like thousands of others, so that future generations could live in peace and freedom. Not content to serve his country once in the field of war, he offered himself for public life.

For many in public life, we often feel that it is war because it is a fight for ideals, for values and for the essence of being Canadian. It is our perspective in being a Canadian. Bill Kempling certainly had his views on what Canada meant.

He was strongly partisan. He had a love for this country. He was an active small businessman. He was a man who was knowledgeable about economic policy, but I remember him as a man with a hearty laugh that could enjoy some fun once we left the intense confines of the Chamber.

On behalf of the Prime Minister and the members of my party, I would like to offer my condolences to Muriel and to the other members of his family along with his friends at this difficult time. All members of the House share in their sorrow.

[Gliding School, May 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I would be pleased to furnish any information that would allay the hon. member's fears.

Two weeks ago I appeared before the defence committee on the estimates, and the critics for his party never asked one question about this. If they had, I would have given them more details.

[Gliding School, May 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon.. member will realize that in the last two budgets there have been many closures of national defence facilities and the transfer of many activities across the country, all in the name of saving money.

In this case we are saving $300,000 by moving the gliding school from St. Honorié to St. Jean, Quebec. The environmental assessment has been done. I realize some people in St. Honorié are not very happy but there were a lot of unhappy people when we closed bases throughout Atlantic Canada, in Calgary and in Chilliwack. We are consolidating our operations to make them more efficient. The bottom line is we are saving the taxpayers money.

[Minister Of National Defence, May 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, far be it for me to defend the people he has described as political hacks. Perhaps he would refer the term political hack to the former Reform candidate for Ottawa-Vanier who is an employee in his office.

[Minister Of National Defence, May 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I will not address the specific accusation, the comment the member got from Veterans Affairs, except to say that what the hon. member said is absolutely and totally false.

I want to deal with the fact that these particular arrangements, that is hiring people either on exempt staff or for specific projects, is open to ministers and is also open to party leaders, the Leader of the Opposition, for example, the leader of the Reform Party.

I would like to know if the hon. member has asked his party leader how he hires and retains the services of people. Does he have people just as full time employees or does he have people who are hired on project work.

As to the propriety of this, the fact is that these particular arrangements are within Treasury Board guidelines. It was stated by the President of the Treasury Board, gone over by the various officials. I think the facts speak for themselves.

[Minister Of National Defence, May 29th, 1996]

-and in a letter to the hon. member for Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt condemned him for the false statements that he made in connection with this issue.

[Minister Of National Defence, May 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, it is not a tender issue. It is a factual issue.

The hon. member says this is unethical. I am surprised that language is allowed to stay, but I obviously respect your ruling on that, Mr. Speaker.

What she is saying by extension is that the officials in my department, the assistant deputy minister of finance who said that these contracts were within the guidelines, the Treasury Board officials who said that these arrangements were within guidelines, are also unethical.

It seems that when the Reform Party casts its net, it casts it widely. It does not pay attention to the facts. It does not pay attention to the reputations of individuals.

With respect to the specific contract that the hon. member raises, I would like to draw her attention to the fact that the Hellenic Canadian Congress, the umbrella group of all Greek Canadians in the country, issued a statement last night in support of the work that was done in this very difficult circumstance-