David Collenette

[Purchase Of Helicopters, November 9th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the discussions with respect to compensation are being conducted by my colleague, the minister of government services. He may wish to comment further if the hon. gentleman wishes any information on that score.

I announced yesterday that we were to send out a solicitation of interest and then call for proposals from private industry to acquire up to 15 search and rescue helicopters. That process is not incompatible with the process now being conducted by my colleague, the minister of government services.

[Rwanda, November 9th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member talks about charges as if these were matters that were laid in some court.

I understand there were certain allegations made in some quarters by one of our allies as a result of certain activities in Rwanda. We are looking into those allegations.

[Rwanda, November 9th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I think everyone in the House will agree with me when I say that Major General D'Allaire served the country with great distinction at a very difficult time in Rwanda.

As we saw with the events in Somalia a few years ago, it is quite possible for certain allegations to be made about an individual's conduct from time to time. In this case, as with that case, I think it is best that we look at the facts and see exactly what those charges are before we jump to any conclusions.

[Canadian Armed Forces, November 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I find it offensive that people would make judgment on people and convict them without the evidence. Let us wait for General Baril's report before we make any judgment.

[Canadian Armed Forces, November 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I answered those questions two days ago. This incident has not been confirmed but if it did occur, it is, of course, deplorable and unacceptable. Canadian Forces do not condone such activities. An investigation is under way and I hope that Lieutenant-General Baril, the commander of the army, will submit his report in the near future.

[National Defence, November 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, one of the things called for in the white paper was to move to off the shelf procurements, and that means to get the best deal for Canadian taxpayers.

Unlike the hon. members opposite, I happen to know that Canadian industry is very competitive, especially in the areas of integrated systems and electronics. Many of those industries are in Quebec. I am sure many of those industries will have a chance to show to bidders that they are competitive and can be part of this particular contract.

With respect to the question of the absolute price, we cannot talk about an absolute price if we are to have a competition in which price is to be one of the principal determinants. However, I will guarantee that on the search and rescue helicopters it will be much cheaper than the price that was to be paid for the EH-101 for the same job. We have reviewed the specifications and have found out that what the previous government ordered was really too rich for even the application of search and rescue standards in the country.

[National Defence, November 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, there were four major crown purchases that were called for in the white paper that resulted from the special joint committee's deliberations. The hon. member's party took part in that.

We announced the contract for the APCs some weeks ago, and now we have made the announcement of a competition for the replacement of the Labrador search and rescue helicopters, which are over 30 years of age and nearing the end of their life. This will be an open competition. We hope to examine new ways of financing that particular purchase, perhaps by leasing. The bottom line will be to save the taxpayers money.

[National Defence, November 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe my ears when I hear the hon. member from the Reform Party. He has been urging the government to re-equip the forces yet criticizes the making of this very key announcement of providing new search and rescue helicopters to the armed forces.

On the matter of the access to information inquiry, the hon. member knows the department came to the person who requested the information and stated there were some irregularities. An investigation was launched by the deputy minister and subsequently the military police were brought in. The information commissioner was apprised and fully concurs with the way we are handling the situation.

Here we have yet another attempt by members of the Reform Party to malign public officials who are unable to defend themselves on the floor of the House.

[National Defence, November 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member goes on so many fishing expeditions that it is very difficult to keep up with him most of the time.

As everyone knows, the chief of the defence staff is a distinguished individual who has served the country well. He will be leaving at the end of December. If the hon. member has any charges to level, I hope he will do it in the appropriate place.

[Canadian Armed Forces, November 7th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member says that he is entitled to an answer.

I would say so are the thousands of Quebecers who were maligned by the sovereignists on the night of the referendum because of their ethnic origin and their participation in the vote entitled to an answer.