Erin O'Toole

[Parliamentary Precinct Security, February 16th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my learned colleague and air force caucus mate for his very good discussion of the challenges we face in the modern world when it comes to security.

Quite frankly, I am shocked when sometimes people in this House harken back to the early days of parliamentary democracy and the early reigns of kings, when most of the people reflected in this House today would not have been part of that parliamentary democracy, because they would not have been permitted to sit in this place or even be permitted to vote.

Certainly our parliamentary democracy has evolved with time. This is an evolution that should be part of it, because we can walk into the Hall of Honour and see first-hand the marks we must learn from in terms of preserving this special place for Canadians of today and in the future.

Speaking of his time with the Canadian Forces, I would like my friend to speak to how the after-action report approach to learning from incidents like this has been taken into account in this case. We have seen that multiple lines of communication and multiple lines of authority can actually lead to a slower response and a less complete picture of risks to the people on this Hill, but more importantly, to our parliamentary democracy at large.

Could the member speak particularly to how a single reporting line and single oversight would allow and actually empower the guards on the Hill who we are so thankful for?

[Veterans Affairs, February 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the Durham region for his service in the Canadian Forces. He is the only Afghan veteran in the House.

Two years ago, the Minister of Justice, the then minister of national defence, presented the award for operational excellence to veterans of the Devil's Brigade. He was joined by the Prime Minister in that ceremony.

Yesterday, I was honoured to join Canadian veterans from the Devil's Brigade, and their families, when they received the Congressional Gold Medal for their brave service to democracy and freedom.

While only a few MPs could attend the ceremony, I know all MPs join me in thanking Canada's legendary Devil's Brigade.

[Veterans Affairs, February 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as that member knows, I was in Hamilton on Friday where I spoke directly with Canadian Forces members and veterans on the new veterans charter, while opening an operational stress injury clinic that will serve veterans in Guelph.

In addition to that, the report was filed with the committee, and I will not apologize for engaging and talking with veterans wherever they are, in our legions or online. I am listening and acting, and I hope he would get on board.

[Veterans Affairs, January 29th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, many of his colleagues voted for the new veterans charter, which is at the root of that lawsuit. I would remind him, as well, that as our government has continued to update and invest in items that the Liberals missed in the new veterans charter, his party and his fellow critic have voted against that every time.

My sincere hope is that he can get on board as we continue to improve a program that is working for many, and we need to ensure it works for all.

[Veterans Affairs, January 29th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I started by thanking Mr. McAllister, a veteran who served our country and someone who has been an engaging advocate.

Hopefully, that pause allowed my colleague from Sackville—Eastern Shore to process the time he was in the House when the government committed $100 million to address historical claims related to that base.

[Veterans Affairs, January 29th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. McAllister for his service to Canada and for being a passionate and engaging advocate.

As the member well knows, because he has been in the House some time, several years ago our government committed—

[Veterans Affairs, January 29th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as that member well knows, and if he does not, he should ask his colleague from Markham—Unionville, when the Liberals created the new veterans charter, we implemented it over the course of our government. The sad part is that every time we have made investments to improve the new veterans charter, who has voted against it? The Liberals who created it.

We are committed to updating the standing committee on our progress on its recommendations, not just in this week but throughout the coming months.

[Veterans Affairs, January 28th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, over the last year and a half, I have enjoyed talking to Mr. Clarke on this issue and appreciate his service. In fact, our government listened to his advice and made sure that a trained and experienced case manager was available in the Service Canada office down the street. That is a way we can evolve from meeting the needs those offices have provided for, while also opening new offices to reach mental health needs.

[Veterans Affairs, January 28th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, we are trying to make sure that we are meeting the needs of veterans now and into the future.

As he knows, in Halifax this year we will be opening a brand new operational stress injury clinic to meet the new needs of rising mental health. That will be one of 25 by the end of this year serving that need. We will continue to do that.

[Veterans Affairs, January 27th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I met the hon. member in 1997, when I was a lieutenant at the air base in his riding. That was in 1997. A few years later, he voted in this place for the new veterans charter. What we have to realize, between 1997 and today, is that we have to meet the new and ongoing needs of our veterans. There is a tremendous obligation, recognized as far back as Robert Borden, but we are not frozen in time. We have to meet the needs now and in the future, and we will.