House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2015, with 42% of the vote.
National Defence June 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General's report notes that two fighter jets, in addition to the F-35s, were apparently considered to replace the CF-18s.
These two jets even satisfied the high-level mandatory capabilities, but, as if by magic, they disappeared from the Conservatives' radar and no documents were made public to confirm that they were actually considered by National Defence.
Can the Associate Minister of National Defence tell us what these two fighter jets are?
National Defence May 18th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives want to spend money on an F-35 program run amok when they are not even doing enough to guarantee support services for our troops returning home from missions. A recent report confirms that veterans are not receiving the mental health care they need. Many are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and there are not enough health professionals to help them. Again this week, two specialists left the Petawawa base.
Why is this government failing to ensure that soldiers returning from missions have access to the help they need?
National Defence May 18th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we have known for some time that operating the F-35s is going to cost more than it does for the CF-18s, but once again, the Conservatives have tried to conceal this fact and discredit anyone who questions their statements. Now a member of their own government has admitted that it will cost $12,000 more an hour than it costs for the CF-18s.
Will the Minister of National Defence finally admit that he has underestimated the costs once again?
National Defence May 17th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, at the Conservatives' request, the RCMP was required to investigate a journalist's article confirming that the Conservatives were going to buy the F-35s without a competitive bidding process.
The Conservatives' attempts to conceal the facts from Canadians are completely appalling. The department of propaganda has reached a new low. Trying to conceal poor management practices under the guise of national security is inexcusable.
Why did the Conservatives request an investigation based on an article that exposed their mismanagement?
Fort Témiscamingue Obadjiwan May 17th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservative government's thoughtless cuts prove that it does not care about the regions.
For example, Parks Canada's Fort Témiscamingue Obadjiwan is a tourist destination in my riding. Over 8,000 people visit every year, generating significant spinoffs for the region's tourism industry. The Témiscamingue community contributed over $500,000 to the creation of the visitor information centre, but the government's cuts will shorten the summer season and put an end to guided tours. Five jobs are in danger.
A major development project involving tourism stakeholders in both Ontario and Quebec is under way at Lake Timiskaming. Fort Témiscamingue is supposed to be the centrepiece of the initiative. These cuts will have a devastating impact on our region, which has diversified its economic activities but which has been abandoned now that the investments have been made.
Our region is trying to keep its head above water, but the government could not care less about our efforts and is slashing our economic resources.
National Defence May 14th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the minister has not told the truth about the cost of the mission in Libya, period.
The Department of National Defence’s latest report indicates that the government intends to purchase 65 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft.
Yet the Conservatives keep saying that no decision has been made regarding the F-35s. It looks like they are again going to have to retroactively change their report.
Does the minister not know what his department is doing?
National Defence May 14th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, in October the Minister of National Defence said that the cost of the mission in Libya would be $50 million. The minister stated that this was the all-up amount. On Friday, General Vance stated that the minister knew what the total estimated cost of the mission was. True to form, the minister keeps changing his story.
I would like to know why the minister did not provide estimates for the full duration of the mission last October when he knew full well what the eventual cost would be.
Interparliamentary Delegations May 11th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the joint visit of the Committee on Civil Dimension of Security and the Sub-Committee on East-West Economic Co-operation and Convergence, held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from October 25 to 27, 2011.
National Defence May 11th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, with respect to Libya, I think that the Minister of National Defence has some serious problems doing the math. Because of his inability to add things up, the cost of the F-35s was underestimated by $10 billion. Now he is making the same mistake with costs related to the mission in Libya. In October, he said that it would cost $50 million.
Today we learned that it cost seven times that, or $350 million.
Why does the minister have such a hard time being honest when it is time to disclose true costs?
National Defence May 11th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, let us be serious. Military procurement is deeply flawed.
The Prime Minister flies off to the far north for photo shoots every year, but our soldiers do not even have proper coats to carry out Arctic missions. There is an equipment shortage.
It is outrageous for the Conservatives to accuse the opposition of not caring about our troops and not wanting to give them the best equipment when they cannot even provide basic equipment for Arctic missions. How can they justify that?