Art Eggleton

[National Defence, June 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, it is most regrettable the suffering that Matt Stopford has gone through over many years. I am sorry that it has taken some seven years for this information to come out on the disgraceful action of a few people.

The matter is now being examined by a special review board that the chief of defence staff appointed today. It will report within two weeks so that we can then proceed to deal with the issue of both the perpetrators of this matter as well as those in the leadership who failed at that point in time.

I am sorry that Mr. Stopford has gone through all of this and has gone through the illnesses he has experienced over the years.

[National Defence, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I have indicated on many occasions that the file is moving and that there are ongoing preparations for the replacement of the Sea Kings.

I indicated in fact when the Sea Kings needed to be replaced. I indicated that we were putting money into upgrading them to extend them over the next five years while we go through the process of getting the helicopters manufactured and put in place. That is how long it takes for the process. We will continue to move that file because it is our number one procurement priority.

[Canadian Forces, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we will take the necessary action to deal with all of those issues that the hon. member has raised and we will do it quickly.

I want to emphasize also that what these people have done and what has happened does not reflect upon what the vast majority of the fine dedicated men and women in our Canadian forces are doing, which is honouring this country in their service.

[Canadian Forces, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the report from the investigators is most disturbing. The actions which they have outlined are disgraceful. They will not be tolerated within the Canadian forces.

I discussed this matter yesterday with the chief of defence staff as to the action that is to be taken. We are both reviewing the report at this point in time. Within a few days we will announce an action plan that will be quick, fair and decisive.

[National Defence, May 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, all of that sounds like a lot of nonsense to me. We are proceeding to replace the Sea Kings with a helicopter that will meet our operational requirements. It is a major government expenditure. We want to make sure that the Canadian public gets best value for the taxpayer dollar and that it meets the needs of the Canadian forces.

[National Defence, May 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, no decision has been made with respect to the procurement strategy on the replacement of the Sea Kings. It is our number one priority. We have that matter in front of the government. It is a major procurement matter. Of course, an elected, accountable government must make a final decision about that.

What the hon. member is saying is not true. No decision has been made by the government. We certainly want to get on just as quickly as we possibly can. We are moving the file along and finalizing the procurement strategy so that we can get on with the replacement.

[National Defence, May 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, there is more to a procurement strategy than a statement of requirement. A statement of requirement is part of it.

This is a very complex purchase, not only in terms of the air machine, but in terms of the equipment that goes inside. In fact, the equipment that goes inside is at least as much of a cost factor as is the helicopter.

There are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration. It is a very major government undertaking, requiring government approval. We are moving on the file, as I have indicated many times. We hope that an announcement will be made soon.

[National Defence, May 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, it certainly is not going to be a private political process. It will be a very open process. We are going through the final stages of the procurement strategy for the replacement of the Sea King which, as I have said many times, is our number one procurement priority.

[Sierra Leone, May 16th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we have received a further request from the United Nations with respect to air cargo handling at the airport near Freetown in Sierra Leone. As a result, we will be deploying approximately 30 troops to that airport to assist the British in terms of the the loading and unloading of equipment at that airport. We expect to have them sent within a few days.

This adds to the contributions that I previously noted in terms of the airbus transportation, in terms of the officers at the headquarters in New York and in terms of the protection equipment that we have provided. We are doing our share in terms of helping out in the situation in Sierra Leone.

[National Defence, May 16th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, yes, we would like to keep CFB Shilo open. We are looking at all the options and the costs with respect to that and with respect to the facilities that we have in Winnipeg. We have not closed any options. I know where the hon. member is coming from. He represents the area. I understand his interest. We are having a very fair and close examination of what is best.