House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 45% of the vote.
Public Service Employees June 11th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the President of the Treasury Board.
During this tenth National Public Service Week, Canadians are proudly celebrating the excellent work being done by federal public servants.
What is the government doing to recognize the important contribution made by federal public servants to Canadian society?
National Defence June 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to an event that occurred last fall with virtually no media attention and no opposition questions here in the House.
That event was the beginning of a new era as far as Canadian search and rescue is concerned. Last October, the 442 Squadron of Comox, British Columbia, officially accepted the first of a series of helicopters, the Augusta-Westland CH-149 Cormorants.
The Cormorants will provide Canada with one of the best search and rescue capacities in the world. Their acquisition will greatly enhance the capacities of our armed forces.
Military experts are unanimous in their praise of the Cormorant, citing its utility in a country where extreme climatic conditions make search and rescue operations the most difficult in the world.
Crews testing the CH-149 were quick to realize its virtues and its great suitability for emergency situations.
Transition from the Labrador to the Cormorant will be a gradual process, with the last Labrador phased out in 2003.
Supply May 7th, 2002
Mr. Chairman, I have just one last question and it is with regard to the NATO flying school. When we were in Moose Jaw, we visited the flight school. There were a few countries that had signed up. I want to ask the minister how we are doing with the flying school. Have any more countries signed up?
Supply May 7th, 2002
Mr. Chairman, as was mentioned before, when I was on SCONDVA the minister asked us to do a study on quality of life. I have a few questions for the minister on the quality of life report.
As the member for Whitby--Ajax mentioned, we did travel to a number of Canadian forces bases all over Canada and in Europe. One night we were in Edmonton, where approximately 3,000 or 4,000 people were waiting for us in a gymnasium, if I remember correctly. This one gentleman from Suffield, Alberta got up to speak. He wanted to tell us how flat the land was around Suffield, so he used an example. He said that in Suffield people can watch a dog run away from home for two days. The point is that anybody at those meetings could get up and talk about whatever they wanted to.
While we were travelling around we heard quite a bit of talk about the Canadian Forces Housing Agency. First, I would like to ask the minister if he remembers what the budget was before the report and where we are at now. Second, during some of these meetings it was mentioned that there might be partnerships with private enterprises to run the Canadian forces housing agency. I wonder if any thought has been given to that.
Supply May 7th, 2002
Mr. Chairman, as members know, a Coyote reconnaissance vehicle was involved in rescuing downed American pilots in Afghanistan a few weeks ago. I wonder if the minister could tell us why Canadians were called in to do this very dangerous job.
Supply May 7th, 2002
Mr. Chairman, I too would like to start off by complimenting the research people, but I would also like to compliment the minister. He is doing an outstanding job tonight.
When I was part of SCONDVA, I had the opportunity to visit our troops in the Balkans. I got to see firsthand the great work that our Canadian forces personnel are doing and how they are appreciated by the common people over there, whether they are building schools or organizing Christmas parties for kids to help them cope.
I would like to ask the minister to comment on what he has seen and heard when he has visited our troops overseas.
National Defence April 23rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.
Recently, the United States announced the creation of the northern command, or NORCOM. If we were thinking of belonging to it, what basic criteria would we be supporting?
Regional Economic Development April 11th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we know that the exodus of young people to large urban centres is a significant damper on the economic development of regions.
Can the Secretary of State responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec tell us what he plans on doing to help the regions of Quebec?
Canadian Forces April 11th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to the excellent work done in Bosnia-Herzegovina by the members of the battle group from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment during rotation 9 of Operation Palladium.
Supported by a reconnaissance squadron from the 12th Armoured Regiment of Canada, a battery from the 5th Regiment Light Artillery of Canada, the 52nd squadron of the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, a helicopter detachment and an electronic warfare troop, the battle group's mission was to maintain a climate of security and stability for the local population by ensuring that the belligerent armies respected the military provisions of the Dayton accords.
Our troops helped to create a safe environment for the development of peace and stability in an area of operation 30% larger than Prince Edward Island. Other members of the 22nd Regiment, the battle group of the 2nd battalion, are already at work in Bosnia as part of rotation 10.
The professionalism, courage and dedication of our troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina is a credit to their units, the Canadian Forces—
Roland Pinsonneault March 12th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great Canadian, Roland Pinsonneault, who died March 2. Over the last 60 years of his life, his activism helped contribute to the development of the Franco-Saskatchewanian community.
Born in Saint-Cyprien de Napierville, Quebec, he moved to Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan, in 1913. He studied at Collège Mathieu. He became a farmer, and in the 1940s, embarked on a career of activism within the Franco-Saskatchewanian community.
He worked with many organizations, including the Conseil de la coopération and the Association des commissaires d'écoles franco-canadiens. He helped in the struggle to keep L'Eau vive , the French language weekly, alive. He also played an important role in setting up the University of Regina Language Institute and served as President of Collège Mathieu. In the summer of 2000, Roland Pinsonneault was named a member of the Order of Canada.
Roland Pinsonneault's contributions have been enormous. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my condolences to his family and to the Franco-Saskatchewanian community that he so loved.