Art Eggleton

[Iraq, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the hon. member, having not been able to make his case about our Canadian troops, is now going back to the helicopter issue.

Let me say this on the matter of our personnel. They are properly protected. I have gone over this matter very carefully with Canadian forces doctors within the last hour and every day this week. I can tell the House they are properly protected. For hon. members to suggest otherwise is scaremongering. It is irresponsible.

[Iraq, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the defence committee had a briefing this morning, so there is every bit of information flowing to hon. members opposite.

The hon. member, just like his colleague, has it wrong in terms of the three inoculations. It is a series of inoculations. The protection starts with the very first one and builds with subsequent inoculations. Meanwhile, until the last inoculation has been given to them, they have antibiotics to cover the situation.

Furthermore, on the ship they will have protective clothing, masks and full outfits. They also have the ability to seal off the ship if there is any exposure.

There is lots of protection.

[Iraq, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, yes it does take three inoculations and three inoculations will be administered.

But the hon. member is wrong when she says that it does not have some immediate effect even with the first inoculation. It does. Even with the first inoculation, by and large, the serum will take effect. Antibiotics are also put on board. Between the two they will have the desired effect.

[Iraq, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, there will be inoculations. An anti-anthrax serum will be sent to the HMCS Toronto . It will be docking in a few days in Crete.

It is expected that the first of the inoculations will take place at that time. There will also be antibiotics that will be put on board. A medical doctor will go on board the ship to ensure that every precaution is taken, even though there is a low risk of being in contact with anthrax while that ship is in the gulf. Nevertheless every precaution is being taken.

[Canadian Armed Forces, February 12th, 1998]

Speaking of wind, Mr. Speaker, we are hearing a lot of it from across the aisle.

I think he said the document was about two years old. That is about where his thinking is.

Our people have the best equipment. They are well prepared and well trained to be able to deal with these circumstances. They will be as best protected as they can be.

[Canadian Armed Forces, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, there is adequate protection. We have some of the best detection and protective equipment of any country when it comes to dealing with chemical and biological weaponry. Those people who are going into that area, the 340 personnel, are going to be properly equipped. They are already properly trained. They will be inoculated. They will have all the equipment necessary.

I think it is irresponsible for the hon. member to put such scare tactics into the public eye, particularly for the families and friends of the people who are going into the gulf area.

[National Defence, February 11th, 1998]

I think the preamble and the question are rather disordered, Mr. Speaker, but let me say with respect to the Goose Bay base that we are trying to save that base. We have to cut the costs if we want to keep our customers, the air forces of foreign countries that use that base. We want to keep it open. We want to keep providing that service and the job opportunities for the people of Goose Bay Happy Valley.

I have met with them. I have heard their concerns. In fact, we are looking into them and trying to bring some further resolution to answer the concerns they have raised with the government.

[Ice Storm, February 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, absolutely. We want to make sure that individuals, small business people and farmers are treated equitably on either side of the boundary between Ontario and Quebec, and in New Brunswick where they also suffered from the ice storm.

Over 80% of the money that is going into the pockets of these individuals to help them recover from that storm and to help stimulate economic activity is coming from the federal government. The federal government has already provided over $25 million under the disaster financial assistance arrangement. There will be more programs to help those people.

[Iraq, February 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it will take up to 16 days for the HMCS

Toronto

to get to the gulf. In that period of time there are opportunities to provide for inoculations. The necessary protection will be provided.

[Department Of National Defence, February 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, alternate service delivery is being employed to provide services to the military in the most efficient and effective manner possible. This is saving money for the Canadian taxpayers.

At the same time it is important that we treat our employees in a fair and humane way. We have put in place extensive consultations. We have put in place packages which will help ensure where our employees do not become part of the new service that they are looked after in a fair and humane way.