David Collenette

[National Defence, February 9th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the hon. member for Charlesbourg asked me the following question:

Can the minister promise that this new tape will not be destroyed like some of the evidence-

Also he went on to talk about the tape as being of "similar quality and horrendous nature as the one to which was referred earlier about the hazing incident". I replied that I had no such evidence of the existence of that particular tape. However I went back to the report and we sent out a clarifying release last night so that there is no misunderstanding.

In the report that came to me there was an acknowledgement of a videotape of something that was described as welcoming party, the activities at which were mostly beer drinking and other things that people do from time to time in a social context, but one where there was masticating of bread which of course we find totally abhorrent. It was described in the report to me as something that was not of a serious nature, that it was something that was not in comparison with the earlier tapes.

The interesting thing is that I have just been informed-and I want to get to the bottom of it after question period; I am sorry that question period will not wait for me-that the description of the events in the report that was given to me by the chief of defence staff two weeks ago does not corroborate with what I was given five minutes before two o'clock today.

Because I would like to get to the bottom of this I want to ask for the indulgence of hon. members so that I can come back certainly tomorrow and give some clarification of the matter.

[National Defence, February 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have no knowledge of the existence of the tapes or other evidence to which the hon. member is alluding.

If he has such evidence then hopefully he would make it available to me, and I could pass it on to the military police authorities. Of course that could be a subject of interest for the inquiry at a later date.

[National Defence, February 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have already announced publicly that the inquiry will begin as soon as the last court martial is concluded, which will be about the middle of March. It will deal with the Canadian Armed Forces deployment to Somalia in 1992-93; how the regiment was prepared for that deployment; how particular incidents which occurred in Somalia were reported, investigated and handled, both on the ground in Somalia and here in Ottawa at national defence headquarters.

I want to assure the hon. member and Canadians generally that all of the concerns that one might have about the incidents in Somalia and our engagement there will be subject to the inquiry's terms of reference, once the inquiry is established. As I said before, that inquiry will begin as soon as the last court martial is concluded.

[Low Level Flights, December 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the study in question took eight years. It cost $11 million. It was the seminal work that was done showing the impact of low level flying on algae, on fauna and on individuals.

It is a landmark study. That study is being examined by the environmental assessment panel. Certain groups chose not to participate in those hearings. That is their choice. In fact the Government of Quebec chose not to participate in those hearings. That is its choice.

We have a process. It is being followed. When the panel reports we will assess its recommendations and adjust our policy accordingly.

[Low Level Flights, December 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, the whole issue of low level flying in Labrador is subject to environmental assessment panel hearings that have been ongoing. It should bring down its conclusions shortly.

Once we receive the recommendations of that panel the Department of National Defence will know whether or not it will be able to continue with agreements with our allies for low level flying and whether or not any subsequent infrastructure should be added.

[Gliding School, December 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of the specific case the hon. member has outlined this morning. I will certainly get him the details.

The hon. member should know that as a result of the white paper, with the reduction of the reserves from 29,000 to 23,000 there will be some major changes as to how the reserves work in Canada. This may affect a number of communities across the country.

No decisions have been taken. We are working on a plan of action to be fair to the cadet movement which we want to enhance and also to the reserves in general. Certainly we believe decisions that are taken must make operational sense.

I will get an answer for the hon. member and will communicate with him directly.

[Bosnia, December 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, events of the last week have shown that the efforts to achieve peace in the former Yugoslavia have broadened beyond any five countries that are now in the contact group. A number of countries are involved. I think the statements made by the Prime Minister publicly and the representations made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister privately should assure Canadians that Canada's voice is being heard.

[Bosnia, December 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, during his visit to the CSE conference in Budapest, the Prime Minister had a number of bilateral meetings with leaders from many countries, including those of the contact group.

We have been assured that our views are being fully heard by the members of that particular group and that our input is valued. I think that goes some way to addressing the concerns that I outlined last week.

[Bosnia, December 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have answered the specific question and so has the Prime Minister.

However, I take great umbrage. The hon. member has criticized our Prime Minister representing Canada in an international forum where he made Canada's position absolutely clear. I resent that.

[Bosnia, December 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I answered that a little earlier and the Prime Minister has answered it. No.

We continue to remain extremely concerned about the plight of the 55 Canadians detained in Bosnia. We had assurances as late as yesterday that the Bosnian Serb forces will be releasing those people detained, including the Canadians. We hope they will discharge their promises at this particular time.

The reasoning the hon. member is using is not shared by the government. We are not wringing our hands. The deputy minister of foreign affairs was in Belgrade yesterday and gave a very stiff message to the president and foreign minister of Yugoslavia, as it is constituted in Belgrade.

Our Prime Minister has also been very forceful in demanding the return of the Canadians who are being detained.

When the Prime Minister returns later this evening we will be having further discussions with him. Perhaps we will be able to clarify our position and mollify the hon. member somewhat.