House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 71% of the vote.
National Defence December 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I hope the hon. member will be as earnest in his questions as I certainly will be in my answers.
I continue to say that we will not put aircraft in the air unless they are safe to fly. We have ordered new helicopters for search and rescue, the Cormorant. We are also finalizing the procurement strategy with replacement to the Sea King being our objective there. Meanwhile, we will only fly helicopters or any kind of aircraft that is safe to fly.
National Defence December 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated to this House before, we have a very high level of maintenance. We have expert people who ensure that all of our aircraft are safe to fly. We will not allow them to go in the air unless they are safe to fly. Obviously, as they get older they require a little bit more maintenance, but we are ensuring with this more maintenance that they are still safe to operate.
National Defence December 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, there is no hidden agenda.
As the CDS said we have to continue to look at all different options to meet the cost pressures. But there are no plans to that extent. The hon. member is just speculating.
National Defence December 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I think as many of my colleagues on the committee are saying, the hon. member has it quite wrong. There are no plans of further reductions in troop levels.
There is no doubt, though, there are a lot of pressures. We have had a 23% reduction in budget in the last four years, a 30% reduction in troops and there are a lot of pressures that have to be dealt with.
We have to continue to look at all different kinds of options and that is what the CDS was saying yesterday, that it would be responsible to look at it.
We would be an awful lot worse off if we had to deal with the kind of budget the Reform Party proposed, because it wanted to cut $1 billion. That would certainly reduce troop levels.
National Defence Act December 4th, 1998
moved the second reading of, and concurrence in, amendments made by the Senate to Bill C-25, an act to amend the National Defence Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to keep this very brief. Bill C-25, an act to amend the National Defence Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts, has returned to the House with an amendment from the other place.
Bill C-25 was first introduced in the House a year ago today. On behalf of the government and the men and women of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian forces, I would like to commend the Senators for their thorough review of the issues in Bill C-25.
The bill is a key element in the program of comprehensive change for both the department and the forces and is much anticipated by the men and women in those organizations.
The Senate has proposed one change to clause 96 of Bill C-25. Clause 96 provides for a review of the provisions and operation of the bill within five years, and the tabling of a report of the review before each House of Parliament.
The amendment made by the Senate changes the requirement for a report of the review of the bill to be made within five years to a requirement for an independent review and report to be tabled before both Houses every five years.
The government is prepared to support the amendment.
National Defence December 2nd, 1998
There were absolutely no deals, Mr. Speaker. This is a crime and the courts have determined the appropriate punishment in that regard. The Calgary police have investigated this matter and we are fully co-operative with them on that.
National Defence December 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member will respect the chief of police of Calgary who said there were any number of sources from which these weapons could have been obtained.
The matter is still under investigation by the Calgary police to determine the source of these weapons. Certainly we will do everything we can to co-operate with them.
National Defence November 27th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I have more confidence in these helicopters and more confidence in the people who operate and maintain them than certainly the hon. member and the leader of his party have.
We definitely keep a very high level of maintenance. If we need additional resources in the operation of our search and rescue mission, even the leasing of aircraft, we are quite prepared to entertain that.
National Defence November 27th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, there was a small electrical fire in the anti-icing system of one of our Labradors. It was put out. No one was injured. Damage to the aircraft was minimal.
As I have said many times, we only put our aircraft in the air when they are safe to fly. Regarding the life of the Labradors, the Labradors will be able to function with a high maintenance level and the overhaul level applied in their maintenance until we get the new Cormorants.
Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Implementation Act November 27th, 1998
moved the second reading of, and concurrence in, amendment made by the Senate to Bill C-52, an act to implement the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.