House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 44% of the vote.
National Defence April 2nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times, Canada remains in the joint strike fighter program and has been so for some 15 years.
We will, in essence, make the decisions at the appropriate time in the best interest of our Royal Canadian Air Force, and of course Canadians generally.
National Defence April 2nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we will ensure that the replacements for the CF-18s will in fact meet our needs. To this end, Canada has been a partner in the joint strike fighter program for the past 15 years. We have not as yet signed a contract to purchase any aircraft and we will ensure we will have the right aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
National Defence April 2nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, Canada has been a partner in the joint strike fighter program for the past 15 years, started by the Liberal government of the day. We have not signed a contract for a purchase and have the flexibility we need to purchase the aircraft in the years when it will be most affordable. Ultimately, we will replace Canada's aging CF-18 aircraft and will do so within our allocated budget.
It would be totally inappropriate for me to comment on the Auditor General's report, which we welcome tomorrow.
National Defence March 30th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this government has made unprecedented investments in the Canadian Forces in recent years. In fact, since 2006, the defence budget has grown by an average of over $1 billion annually. Over the past two years, we have examined ways to implement cost-saving measures to ensure efficiency and effectiveness combined with the end of the combat missions. National defence will now return to a more normal pace of operation.
Departments will be informed, unions and employees, about the specific changes and we will communicate those accordingly.
National Defence March 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, again, to inform the member opposite, we remain committed to the joint strike fighter program. A budget has been allocated. A contract has not been signed for replacement aircraft.
We will continue to make sure that the air force and our men and women in the military have the necessary tools to do the job we ask of them.
National Defence March 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the member opposite once again that Canada has been a partner in the joint strike fighter program for 15 years. We have not signed a contract for purchase and have the flexibility we need to purchase aircraft in the years when it will be the cheapest for Canada.
Ultimately, we will replace Canada's aging CF-18 aircraft, and we will do so within the allocated budget.
National Defence March 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as indicated, Canada is a partner in a joint strike fighter program developing an aircraft.
We will continue to be committed to that program and when things are settled and according to the kinds of standards and expectations we have here in this country, a decision will be made as to what we will do next.
National Defence March 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the hon. member opposite that we will find the best solution to replace our aging CF-18s—
National Defence March 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, while the member opposite is entitled to make whatever criticisms he chooses, he is not entitled to invent his own facts. On that issue, once again he is wrong.
We remain committed to the joint strike fighter program. A budget has been allocated; a contract has not been signed. When all is done, we will ensure that the air force and Canadians receive the best quality for their money.
National Defence March 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times and I am pleased to repeat, we will ensure that the replacement for the CF-18s will meet our standards and the needs of our air force.
To this end, Canada has not signed any agreement as yet to buy or purchase. We remain committed to the joint strike fighter program along with our partners. We will continue to act responsibly on all of these matters.