Art Eggleton

[National Defence, February 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is opposed to the weaponization of space. Having said that, we do agree with surveillance programs, surveillance from space of earth, surveillance of space. We have been into those kinds of programs for many years and we have had discussions with respect to that.

With respect to ballistic missile defence, it has been said often that we have not been officially asked by the United States. We are following the progress of this matter. No decision has been made by that country and no decision has been made by this country.

[National Defence, February 25th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately members of the opposition twist and turn and take comments that are made by our dedicated military personnel out of context.

There are challenges. We know there are challenges. That is one of the reasons we want to do a defence review but we are providing the men and women who have gone to Afghanistan and on other international operations with what they need to do the job.

[National Defence, February 25th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the general has pointed out that there are indeed some challenges for the army. The government recognizes this.

The government has ensured that in any of the deployment overseas our men and women have the tools they need to do the job. We have increased the defence budget for the last four years. We have $5 billion more coming in the next five years. We now rank sixth in NATO in terms of defence expenditures.

Most important is what the men and women of the Canadian forces with the support of the government have been able to produce. We have the third largest force on the ground in Afghanistan. We are playing a very meaningful role.

[National Defence, February 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, these entities, whether they are CSE or JTF2, operate in accordance with government policy. The Prime Minister has regularly reviewed the policy. There is in fact an annual meeting that does that, as he has indicated previously in this House, and it follows government policy.

[National Defence, February 21st, 2002]

No, that is not the case, Mr. Speaker. I spoke to the special committee on this matter yesterday. I took questions for over two hours. I have answered all of this. I do not think there is any need to expand upon it further.

[National Defence, February 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we have to be careful about speculation in the media or political controversy versus the actual facts of the situation.

Certainly when I returned from my trip to Mexico I was anxious to find out all aspects of the issue and why it was becoming controversial. Much of the controversy over the Colin Powell versus Don Rumsfeld versions of things came about around the 28th. It was on the 29th that I spoke to cabinet on the whole issue of detainees.

[National Defence, February 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there has been some controversy over legal interpretations but there has never been a doubt in my mind that the United States would follow the Geneva conventions. The Americans said they would act in accordance with the Geneva conventions and they would treat people in a fair and humane way. Certainly every observation by the International Committee of the Red Cross, by our own legal adviser who has checked out the facilities in Kandahar, by the British who have also checked out the facilities, would indicate that is exactly what they are doing.

[National Defence, February 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member is misconstruing what was said here. I said right from the beginning that we keep in close contact with our American allies. We have always had an understanding that the Geneva conventions are being followed.

The Americans have always said that they are operating in a way that is consistent with those conventions and are treating people in a humane and fair way. That has been consistently their position.

There has been some confusion coming even after January 21 with different comments from the U.S. administration but the president of the United States has now cleared that up.

[National Defence, February 21st, 2002]

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

[National Defence, February 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, how much in the way of resources is put into defence is determined by the government. Let me point out that for the last four years there have been increases in the budget. Over the next five years there will be over $5 billion more put in the budget. Just about every major piece of equipment is either being upgraded or replaced.

When it comes to NATO, maybe the hon. member did not hear the remark I made a few minutes ago. Of the 19 NATO countries, we are the sixth largest spender. Once again, look at the outcomes. Let us look at the outputs; let us look at what we are able to produce. We are able to produce a great deal in terms of the campaign against terrorism.