David Collenette

[National Defence, February 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I think I just gave the answer.

We want to ensure any regime that is in place with respect to rent applies fairly and equitably, no matter if the person is a general officer, a non-commissioned officer or a private.

I should point out that the government improved the basic pay for privates about a year ago before the freeze came on. It is of continuing concern to me that some of our soldiers allegedly are on social assistance. That matter is being looked into to see whether or not it is a pervasive problem and the reasons for it.

We hope to be able to address it through procedures that are in place.

[National Defence, February 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, some of the reports have been a little misleading.

In the case of the three service commanders, they live in accommodation that was paid for many years ago. They are somewhat large houses. Much of the house is used for entertaining dignitaries and others, and receptions of that nature.

We are trying to ensure that the portion of those houses they occupy for family reasons does accord to normal practices so that there is no disparity between what they pay and what ordinary soldiers pay.

[Former Yugoslavia, February 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, on the specifics I answered the question, but I do resent very much the threat implied in the hon. member's answer. It is reprehensible. Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that you did not rule him out of order. To make that kind of statement in the House of Commons, he should be ashamed of himself.

[Former Yugoslavia, February 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of inaccuracies in the article which appeared in the Globe and Mail on Saturday.

The armoured engineer vehicle is not designed as a mine clearance vehicle. The Slovakian group, as part of UNPROFOR, is equipped to take this task on, not just for Canadians but for all other personnel. Should there be a non-permissive withdrawal from Croatia and Bosnia, this will be carried out by NATO. Obviously all of the necessary equipment will be provided by the NATO allies.

[National Defence, February 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have repeated the same answer a number of times.

There will be an inquiry headed by a civilian. It will be public. It will answer all questions relating to the deployment to Somalia. The hon. member should wait until that time.

[National Defence, February 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member must know that it would be inappropriate for me to comment upon any matter relating to the investigations surrounding the deployment of the Canadian airborne regiment to Somalia in 1992 and 1993.

[Camp Ipperwash, February 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her question. I know she is very concerned with the future of those particular lands.

As she will know, we decided to close Camp Ipperwash in last year's defence cuts because we believed that we could discharge our obligations at other facilities in Ontario and also because we wanted to facilitate the land being returned to the native population.

We are prepared to engage in a study with the native population of the area to decide on which approach should be taken in terms of environmental clean-up. We will give equal status to them on any particular study that is done.

Unfortunately we have yet to secure the agreement of local native leaders in this process and we are most anxious to do so.

[National Defence, February 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure to which activities the hon. member is referring, but I will certainly take this as a representation and draw it to the attention of the chief of defence staff.

[National Defence, February 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, one of the reasons I said this should be put on the Order Paper yesterday is that I could not believe the hon. member was asking a question about a facility that was closed two years ago and before this government came into power.

As far as I am concerned that facility is closed. The province of Newfoundland has indicated some interest in taking it back. That is all I have to say.

[Canadian Armed Forces, February 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians are getting sick and tired of this line of questioning.

The Canadian Armed Forces not only discharges its very noble efforts outside the country but assists many Canadians, worthy causes and communities in local events across this country. They just assisted with the flag ceremony outside the House of Commons.

I really do not want to politicize this too much, but is the Reform Party saying that the Canadian Armed Forces has no business helping communities with their local events? Is that what he is saying?