Art Eggleton

[Motions For Papers, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 97(1), I suggest that this Motion for the Production of Papers be transferred for debate.

[Motions For Papers, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order 97(1), I suggest that this Motion for the Production of Papers be transferred for debate.

[Canadian Forces, March 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I recognize that change has been slow, but it is accelerating. This government is solidly committed to the current course that will involve the full integration of women into the Canadian forces.

I might add that the 10.8% is the second highest of the NATO countries, but I believe we can do more in terms of being able to give women every opportunity to join whatever part of the Canadian forces they wish, and considerable progress is being made in that regard.

[National Defence, March 5th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, four members of an air crew from CFB Trenton on their way home from the Central African Republic were on a one night stopover in the Canary Islands on February 24.

During the crew's rest period, they noticed a man struggling to pull an elderly woman from a hotel pool. The crew members pulled the woman from the water. They applied CPR and cleared her lungs. Within a few minutes, she was breathing again. I am pleased to report that she is doing fine, thanks to the fine efforts of Master Corporals Frank Bessette, John Kolontouros, Jordie Larson and Dawn Garvin.

[National Defence, March 5th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am not going to comment on the specifics of the case. The individual deserves to have a fair trial. The matter will proceed to a court martial. Cohesion and discipline in the military are very important. Someone is alleged to have disobeyed an order in terms of a major offence. On that basis the court martial will proceed.

[National Defence, March 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we are going to want to get on with the procurement as quickly as possible. This procurement will save us money over that contract which was quite rightly cancelled.

[National Defence, March 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the government is not delaying. We are moving along expeditiously on the matter. All of the details have not yet been finalized. As soon as they are, the procurement strategy will be brought forward. It is recognized that we have to get on with the replacement of the Sea Kings.

I can assure the House that there is no political interference. The matter is being dealt with at a staff level to make sure that we get the right kind of helicopter with the right kind of equipment to do the operational job that needs to be done.

[National Defence, March 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated a moment ago, I will look into the matter and advise the hon. member accordingly.

We want to do all we can to support the family which has suffered such a great loss.

[National Defence, March 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I will be happy to look into the particulars of the case the member is talking about.

While he has raised the matter I should note that the investigation is still underway with respect to the Labrador crash. It was a tragic event. We do not want that to happen again. We want to get to the bottom of it as quickly as possible so that if any action needs to be taken to rectify the matter in terms of the safety of our aircraft it will be taken. The safety of our pilots is of utmost importance to us.

[Sea King Helicopters, March 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we do not cut funds that are necessary for the proper maintenance of any of our equipment.

We have, as has any aircraft operator, maintenance difficulties from time to time, service requirements. Whether it is new aircraft or old aircraft we will continue to provide a very high level of maintenance because we want to ensure that our personnel are in fact safe when they fly these aircraft.