Robert Bertrand

[National Defence, May 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know how many times I can say this but the document they are referring to is just a working paper. It is not government policy; it is just a working paper.

The minister has the final say and we will have to await his decision.

[Royal Newfoundland Regiment, May 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I think that all Canadians are quite conscious of the enormous sacrifices that were made by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during the last two world wars.

To reinforce what I have said before, the report that he is quoting from was produced by a group that included Reserve 2000, the councils of honorary colonels and the reserve area commanders. They produced this document in April.

It must now be studied in detail and evaluated against all of the criteria established for reserve restructuring.

[Canadian Militia, May 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, the document my colleague refers to is a working document.

I assume it will be one of the many documents the minister will read before making a final decision.

[Canadian Militia, May 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, no. These are two different issues.

We are currently doing a study of the reserves. However, the budget for the war in Kosovo is totally another matter.

[National Defence, May 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to state again that this is not a government paper, it is just a working paper. There were some suggestions made by DND personnel, but the final decision will be made by the minister.

[National Defence, May 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the reserves are an important pillar of the Canadian forces. They play a wide variety of roles, both at home and abroad. They have provided assistance during national emergencies and disasters, such as the ice storm and the Manitoba floods.

The document that the hon. member refers to is strictly a working paper. As yet, no decision has been made. The minister will make the final decision.

[National Defence, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I mention to my hon. colleague that the air force follows a very strict maintenance and inspection regime. The problems we have recently seen are being addressed. We will continue to do what is necessary to keep our aircraft flying safely.

In conclusion I mention to my hon. colleague that Canada is not the only country that has Sea Kings. The Americans have them and the British air force have them also.

[National Defence, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has said on many occasions that he wants to move on a replacement project for the Sea Kings as quickly as possible. He has also mentioned that he hopes to make an announcement sometime this year.

[The Late Gilles Richer, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, it was with sadness that we learned yesterday of the death of Gilles Richer, a pioneer in the field of television writing.

Gilles Richer began his career in the summer of 1964 as a member of the travelling team producing Radio-Canada's Rouli-Roulant . A few months later, he became a writer for the top talk show of the era, Les Couche-tard , with Jacques Normand and Roger Baulu. From 1966 to 1970, Gilles Richer wrote 151 episodes of Moi et l'autre .

He also wrote several plays and revues, which were performed at the Saint-Sauveur theatre, and worked on a number of films, the best known of which is Tiens-toi bien après les oreilles à papa .

I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this pioneer of television.

[Canadian Federation, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, once again the future of the federation will be the focus of major debate in the coming months.

My message will be a positive one. I want simply to mention that Canada includes all Canadians in a land whose wealth and resources we share in order to ensure an ever better quality of life for the present generation and for future ones.

In short, the Canadian federation offers Quebec every opportunity to occupy its rightful place. We must hope that governments will work in a spirit of co-operation to enable Quebeckers to enjoy all Canada has to offer. Long live Canada.