David Collenette

[National Defence, March 17th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, yesterday, in an answer to a question from the hon. member for Charlesbourg, I said: "I will not be able to comment on the chain of command or anything to do with the Canadian Airborne Regiment, anything that could be construed as interference in the judicial proceedings". I have a few more details to add.

I thank hon. members opposite for allowing me to add a few words to what I said yesterday to the hon. member for Charlesbourg.

As a result of the several incidents arising out of the Canadian Airborne Regiment Battle Group deployment on United Nations duties to Somalia, a series of investigations were undertaken by Canadian forces authorities.

Military police investigations into the incidents commenced on April 15, 1993. They have resulted in a series of charges under the National Defence Act being laid against members of the Canadian forces. These charges have and will result in disposition by courts martial.

As well, on April 28, 1993 the previous chief of defence staff directed that a board of inquiry be convened to investigate leadership, discipline, operations, actions and procedures of the Canadian Airborne Regiment Battle Group. Phase one of the board of inquiry is completed. Phase two will not commence before the disciplinary process which is presently under way is completed.

The evidence given at any of the courts martial will be reviewed by appropriate military authorities who will determine what, if any, further action is required.

[Business Of The House, March 17th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, on a point of order. I was wondering if I could seek unanimous consent of the House to revert to statements by ministers.

[Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean, March 17th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member came to the standing committee the other day and was given all of the facts that were available. He was not satisfied. He was not satisfied in getting the facts in the printed form or from the general in charge of personnel of the armed forces of Canada.

We really do want to satisfy the hon. member for Roberval who does have a Bloc mentality in some cases and pardon my play on words. Therefore later today I will issue a detailed financial statement to the hon. member and to members of the press gallery. Hopefully the hon. member will read it tonight and will not come back tomorrow for more explanation.

[National Defence, March 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, again for the same reasons I will not be able to comment on the chain of command or anything to do with the Canadian Airborne Regiment, anything that could be construed as interference in the judicial proceedings.

[National Defence, March 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad the hon. member has raised this question. We will be going through a difficult period in the next few months. It will be totally impossible for me, as minister of defence, to make any comment surrounding the courts martial that are now under way as a result of alleged actions by members of our forces a year or so ago in Somalia.

I know it will be difficult for the House, but I hope members will understand that I cannot, as the minister, do or say anything that may impede the cause of justice.

[Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean, March 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this question has been repeatedly asked in another forum over the last few weeks. Responses have been given by the Prime Minister and me.

I said on a couple of occasions this week that with respect to the financial details surrounding the closure of Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean, we will discuss it at the committee, which is the appropriate place, on Tuesday morning when all the estimates are there.

[Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean, March 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the hon. members across the way get their wild ideas from. They are making up the most outrageous assertions and the answer is absolutely no.

[Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean, March 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I will be guided by your judgment, but the hon. member has imputed some very bad things that I am alleged to have done. In normal cases I would demand an apology, but I understand the hon. member is new to the House and perhaps we can overlook this.

All the figures will be available next Tuesday. In fact we have given figures on all of the base closings to all members that are concerned. It does not matter what party. We have been completely open. As he knows, I have organized briefings with my department, with the Reform Party and with the Bloc Quebecois. We have been totally open. We have nothing to hide.

A much more detailed discussion really is something that should be done at the committee. He can have all day. I will spend all day and all night just to satisfy the hon. member.

[Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean, March 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the answer is certainly yes.

I should explain that in looking at our proposed reductions if we had been able to cut other facilities that were surplus we would have done it. It made sense to rationalize the colleges, all the arguments that have been given here by myself and my colleagues. Naturally no one likes to phase out the jobs of 16,500 people; no one likes to have such a difficult effect on various communities. It was a tough decision that we had to wrestle with. However, in the final analysis, I put forward the list and that was in the budget. It is something that we will defend. The closing of the two colleges is regrettable, Royal Roads and CMR, but it is a decision that is final.

[National Defence, March 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the hon. member has not read the budget documents or listened to the speeches I have been giving.

There will be generous severance packages. We probably will have to legislate one part of it over and above the workforce adjustment provisions of the collective agreements that are now in place.

From the discussions we have had with the unions, obviously they are not happy with the numbers of people who are going to be phased out over four years. They recognize that the end is not going to come tomorrow and that this is going to be a regulated process through which everybody is going to be dealt with fairly.

I find it rather ironic the hon. member woke up two weeks after the budget to talk about the plight of these 16,500 people who will be phased out, yet for the last couple of years he has been talking about much more Draconian cuts in the public service.