John McCallum

[National Defence, June 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is we exceeded our hiring targets this year. We hired 50% more this year than last year. We have been having a highly successful recruitment campaign over the last couple of years.

I am delighted to welcome the report of the ombudsman. His job is to stick up for the little guy who puts his life on the line for the country. He has made terrific progress and I support him 100%.

[National Defence, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I will definitely look into this case today and get back to the member. In general however, as I said earlier today, it is deeply embedded in the culture of the military to put the safety of its fighting forces first.

Over the past several years, under the influence of my predecessor, the human condition of the armed forces was his top priority. As a consequence we have put large additional resources into taking care of our military and treating stress disorders.

[National Defence, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the notion that I would amend a report is utter nonsense. As I explained yesterday, I simply wanted time to read it. I have instructed my department to indicate the actions it is taking to deal with these matters. I will have a report from the department on Monday. My plan is to table the report in the House on Tuesday of next week, before the House rises, unless the opposition changes its mind.

[National Defence, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is certainly true that older helicopters need more maintenance than younger helicopters.

This maintenance, however, is being carried out with the result that safety is not an issue. In my short time at defence I know the culture of the place is such that safety always comes first. We are working actively as we speak to get these new helicopters ordered as soon as possible, but it is a complicated process.

[National Defence, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the reports are completely independent. There is no question of the Americans influencing our report. None at all.

As I have just explained, we do not wish to jeopardize the Americans' ability to take disciplinary action against certain individuals.

[National Defence, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we are in constant touch with the families but the issue here is really a no brainer. We do not know for sure but it is possible that the Americans will want to take disciplinary action against one or more individuals. We also know that if we release our report in advance it might jeopardize the Americans' ability to go after the individuals who caused the death our soldiers. Is that what the opposition wants?

[National Defence, June 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the report will be released shortly.

[National Defence, June 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the hon. member was not listening when I answered this question.

As I explained before, yesterday I met the ombudsman in my office. I suggested to him that I needed time to read the report before he released it. The rules stipulate that I can have it for 60 days before it is released.

I will not insist on the 60 days but it is not unreasonable that I have a little bit of time to read it.

[National Defence, June 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I met the ombudsman yesterday and I made two points to him. First, having just received the report, I wanted to have a little bit of time to read it before he released it to the public. I can assure the House it will not take me as much as 60 days.

Second, I reassured him that in terms of his mandate to protect members of the armed forces and ensure that they get a fair hearing in case of difficulties, I was 100% on his side.

[National Defence, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, on the last point, there is a lot of confusion out there. All the decisions on the ordering of materials will continue to be made by the defence department, not the private company.

The other thing I would add is that in all my time in the private sector never have I seen a deal where 100% of the permanent employees are given job guarantees for seven years at 100% guarantee of their salaries. That is a great deal.