Art Eggleton

[National Defence, December 8th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is correct that this matter is no joke. It is a question of providing the right kind of equipment for our search and rescue technicians to be able to go out and rescue people, to save lives in this country and on its shores. We want to make sure we get the piece of equipment, the helicopter that will best meet their needs at a price that is affordable to Canadians.

[National Defence, December 8th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the Conservative Party has anything to tell us about helicopters. If they had not botched up the last deal, we certainly would have been able to resolve this at a far cheaper price, which is what this government will do.

It will meet our operational requirements. It will get the kind of helicopters we need and at a price that is affordable to Canadians.

[National Defence, December 8th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, crashes of any aircraft are most unfortunate. There are a number of reasons why they occur, not just the age of an aircraft but because of mechanical failures or human error.

We do not put these Sea Kings or any other helicopters or any other aircraft in the air unless they are safe to operate. We recently grounded our Sea Kings so that we could check them out very thoroughly. We checked them out and they are now back in the air.

We know they need replacing in a few years because they are getting old and we are working to do that.

[National Defence, December 4th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, of course it will be fair and transparent. It is a decision that is going to be made soon. It is one though that is far better than the decision that might have been made by another government a few years ago which would have cost the government far more money than what a helicopter purchase will cost us today.

[Haiti, December 4th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to congratulate the men and women who did a fine piece of work in Haiti on behalf of Canada and on behalf of Haiti.

The United Nations mandate came to an end as of November 30. We have not been requested to remain. There will be policing operations that will be taken over by the Haitian national police and there will be some assistance which we will provide.

There will continue to be the provision of assistance with respect to training coming from Canadian police, but in no way will their safety be in jeopardy.

[Helicopters, December 4th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member wants to tell us which one he wants. Everybody else has an opinion.

The opinion of the government is to take a responsible approach to this to make sure we get the best helicopters to meet our operational needs. That is the kind of decision we are going to make and soon.

[Helicopters, December 4th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, all of the preamble is wrong. Second, what the government is attempting to do is make sure we get the best value for the taxpayers, that we get a helicopter that meets our operational needs.

This is no small expenditure but it is an important one. Search and rescue is an important function in this country, important in saving lives. We continue to provide that kind of service and the men and women who provide it do an excellent job.

We will soon be announcing a new helicopter purchase.

[Canada Grain Act, December 4th, 1997]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-26, an act to amend the Canada Grain Act and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act and to repeal the Grain Futures Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[National Defence Act, December 4th, 1997]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-25, an act to amend the National Defence Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[National Defence, November 25th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows a proposed promotion is being held in abeyance. The matter is still under review. It will be examined.