Art Eggleton

[National Defence, April 29th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the government has in fact increased the defence budget. This is the first time in over a dozen years that budget has been increased.

We have increased it because we want to make sure that we look after the fine dedicated men and women who serve in our Canadian forces. We have given them pay raises. We are improving their housing conditions. We are doing a number of things that improve their quality of life.

Also, the government has been purchasing the equipment and the tools they need to do the job. The people who will now be deployed to Macedonia will be taking some of our latest and best equipment, all new and all fully compatible with our allies. That will help them to do the job of peacekeeping.

[Kosovo, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member needs a big wake-up call because she does not understand the fact that we are ensuring that our people have the proper equipment they need to do the job.

The Griffon is a very good utility helicopter. It has proven its benefit in Haiti. It has proven its benefit in Honduras during hurricane Mitch. It proved its benefit during the ice storm here. It does a very effective job. All of the equipment that is going with these people is among the best. It is totally interoperable with our allies.

[Kosovo, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, they are being authorized to go for a peacekeeping mission and they are being deployed for that purpose. They are combat capable. That is part of their general training. The equipment they are taking is among the best. The Coyote has in fact state of the art surveillance capability. It is well protected and has all of the things needed. I think the hon. member must have outdated information.

In fact, all of the vehicles, the Coyotes, the Bisons and the Griffons, that are going are all less than nine years of age, each one of them.

[Kosovo, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I said a moment ago, we believe we have it covered. However, because of the hon. member's concern, I am having the matter double checked with our lawyers to make sure that in fact we are covering all of our troops. I think that is one thing we would agreed on. We want to make sure that we treat them in the proper way.

[Kosovo, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, we will certainly provide the appropriate pay and benefits.

In fact the area was declared back in 1992 to be a special duty area. That included all parts of what were then Yugoslavia, including the area where our troops would be deployed for peacekeeping purposes and where they will be stationed in Macedonia. That clearly covers them.

[Kosovo, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, they will be NATO rules of engagement. We are part of NATO and we are part of working out those rules of engagement. I would be happy to provide the hon. member with that information.

[Kosovo, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, of course the immediate command of our forces will be by the Canadians who are there, but they will be operating as part of a British brigade, so they will be working closely with the British in that connection.

All of the details of that will be worked out, as is required, and we will be happy to inform members of the details.

[Kosovo, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, for anybody who serves in the Canadian forces in an overseas mission in a hostile situation there are special allowances and special provisions with respect subsequently to pensions for any that are injured. All of these apply in this particular circumstance.

We are absolutely determined if we send any of our peacekeepers, any of our air force personnel into harm's way, to look after them as best we can. We will reduce the risk to them while they are there. If something does happen—we hope it will not—to any of them we will look after them as best we can.

[Kosovo, April 27th, 1999]

No, Mr. Speaker. We are sending them there for peacekeeping purposes. The helicopters are part of the reconnaissance purpose of the Canadian forces that will be there. There are some 800 of them. They will be in neighbouring Macedonia. They will be there working with the British. They will take some training time when they get over there so they are ready to move into Kosovo when a peace agreement is reached.

Meanwhile, they will also be able to help out in the humanitarian effort with respect to the refugees that are there, help to protect those refugees.

[Kosovo, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know if that is the case, but the United States government, along with the European Union governments, would want to ensure that such products which are supporting the war effort of the Yugoslav government would not get into Yugoslavia.

The idea behind the embargo that NATO would be involved in policing would ensure the will of these individual governments is met when merchant ships are coming toward that harbour.