House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 59% of the vote.
National Defence April 26th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I think that even then the minister said that it was up to the government to decide and that some members of cabinet supported this move.
At a time when the auditor general is denouncing mismanagement at the Department of National Defence and the waste of hundreds of millions of dollars every year, how can the Minister
of National Defence justify wasting another $2 billion or so on secondhand submarines we do not need?
National Defence April 26th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of National Defence confirmed that his government is about to acquire four British conventional submarines. He even stated that the negotiations with British authorities were practically wrapped up.
How can the Minister of National Defence justify spending $1.6 billion on four secondhand submarines, given the government's current financial situation?
Francophones In Kingston April 25th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the reason there are no problems is that there is no school yet.
There was such close co-operation with Kingston that new problems surfaced again yesterday, in that children of French speaking members of the military would now be required to go outside the military base to attend a French language school.
Does the Prime Minister intend to come to the defence of the young people who would be required to go to a different school, thus preventing another act of discrimination against francophones in Kingston?
Francophones In Kingston April 25th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. Last year, we learned with dismay about the setbacks experienced by francophone parents and students in Kingston, who were prevented from building a French language high school. Because he wanted to make Kingston the showcase of Canadian bilingualism, the Prime Minister personally promised in May 1994 that a high school would be built as soon as possible.
Given his promise to Kingston francophones, how can the Prime Minister explain that, one year later, nothing has been settled in this matter?
Purchase Of Eh-101 Helicopters April 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I had hoped that the Prime Minister would answer my question. I do not think it is inappropriate to initiate discussions.
Since Agusta is under investigation in Belgium and Italy for influence-peddling, corruption and arms smuggling, how can the Prime Minister justify continuing negotiations with Agusta without first looking into this company's profits in the Canadian helicopter deal?
Purchase Of Eh-101 Helicopters April 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. The Canadian government is currently negotiating with the Agusta company the compensation to be paid following the cancellation of the EH-101 helicopter contract worth in excess of $5 billion, which, despite the cancellation, has already cost half a billion dollars. As a result of the investigation into the murder of a Belgian government minister, Agusta is now in hot water in Belgium for alledgedly paying $12 million in bribes in connection with a contract to purchase helicopters for the Belgian army.
Given the allegations of corruption made against Agusta, does the Prime Minister promise to suspend all negotiations with this company until the government has completed a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the EH-101 contract agreement, as the Minister of Human Resources Development called for on April 13, 1993?
Canadian Armed Forces March 30th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to point out to the minister that the suicide rate at the base in Valcartier alone is higher than in the population as a whole.
Does the minister not recognize that if Canadian soldiers returning from peacekeeping missions refuse to rely on the in-house resources available at the Department of National
Defence, it is because they are afraid of compromising their careers within the Canadian Forces?
Canadian Armed Forces March 30th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence. Yesterday, the minister offhandedly minimized the importance of the many cases of suicide within the Canadian Forces, particularly among soldiers returning from peacekeeping missions, including those in the former Yugoslavia. The minister's attitude is surprising, to say the least.
How does the Minister of National Defence explain the fact that members of the military are more inclined to turn to outside help rather than use military resources in order to overcome their difficulties and adjustment problems upon returning from a mission?
Bosnia March 28th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary.
Can the minister tell us about the recent meeting of the contact group in London, and can he also tell us if Canada still opposes new air strikes by NATO forces, as suggested by the new general in charge of UNPROFOR?
Bosnia March 28th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.
The United Nations Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia is facing increasing provocation in Bosnia. This situation has led to Serbian artillery fire against four Muslim security zones placed under the protection of UNPROFOR, namely Sarajevo, Bihac, Tuzla and Gorazde.
Can the minister give us an update on the situation in Bosnia, given that the temporary truce, which was violated, will expire in May, and can he also tell us about the upcoming renewal of the mandate for Canadian peacekeepers?