Laurie Hawn

[National Defence, October 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Turkey, Norway, Australia, Israel and others have all come to the same conclusion. There is only one fifth generation fighter out there today which will meet our challenges for the air forces of the free world for the next 40 years or more.

We are in this deal together with those partner nations. We are getting the best deal for Canada because of the strength of that partnership. Membership does have its privileges and it is being exercised to good effect for the Canadian air force, for the Canadian people and for the Canadian industry.

[National Defence, October 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, what we heard yesterday was not the truth; it was numbers pulled out of the air, that are completely unsupported, to allow some people to jump to conclusions. It was the former Liberal government that signed the memorandum of understanding for the joint strike fighter. It is illogical that the opposition members are now saying that we can participate in the program to develop the plane, but we will not buy that plane.

With respect to participation in industrial benefits, the impact on industry is clear. The MOU stipulates in 7.3 that only those industries that are in nations of participants procuring the JSF air systems will benefit. The execution of industrial activities outlined in industrial plans are contingent upon Canada's buying the aircraft.

[National Defence, October 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the F-35 program was started many years ago under a competitive process that was initiated by the former Liberal government to equip the Canadian Forces, the air force, with the best technology available, which is fifth generation technology. It was initiated to provide thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in work for Canadian industry.

It is not just a next generation fighter; it is the next generation industrial capability for Canada. We are at the leading edge of that capability, which is going to take our industry and our military capability to the next 40 years and beyond. It is a great program and all Canadians should get behind it.

[Federal Sustainable Development Act, October 1st, 2010]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The diatribe about what happened in a provincial government years ago is hardly relevant to the issue of sustainable development. If the hon. member wants to rant and rave, I would ask him to do so outside the House. If he is going to talk about a private member's bill or anything else, he should try to stick to the topic, please.

[National Defence, September 22nd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, our government's investment in the F-35 is a win-win for the Canadian Forces and the Canadian economy. The forces will be replacing an aircraft that will soon have reached the end of its lifespan, and Canadians will benefit from well-paying jobs for decades to come.

Canada's first-rate aerospace industry will have direct access to bid on building and maintenance contracts for up to 5,000 aircraft. In fact, just days after our government's announcement, Avcorp in British Columbia signed a wing tip contract that could be worth up to $500 million.

Communities across Canada will see direct economic benefits and the Canadian Forces have assured us that this will help ensure our aircrew come home safely from its challenging and dangerous missions.

Liberal defence policy is what got us into Afghanistan in Volkswagen jeeps. This is no time to play politics. We urge the Liberal Party to quit playing games with this essential program, stop ignoring the facts, support our troops, support Canadian jobs and get behind a project that will benefit all Canadians.

[Battle of Britain, September 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, 70 years ago, the skies over London and southern England were a tangled mass of contrails and a roar of Merlin engines as Churchill's “few” hurled their Spitfires and Hurricanes against the Nazi onslaught on the island standing majestically alone in the face of aggression.

From airfields like Biggin Hill, Northholt and Tangmere, more than 100 Canadian fighter pilots in No. 1 Fighter Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force and 13 Royal Air Force fighter squadrons, including 242 Canadian Squadron commanded by the legendary Douglas Bader, fought valiantly and with great effect contributing significantly to the British victory.

By the end of the battle, Hitler's dreams of Operation Sea Lion were dashed, but at the cost of 544 aircrew, including 23 Canadian fighter pilots who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.

The Battle of Britain was a turning point in the war and yesterday we celebrated its 70th anniversary and the spirit of the British, Canadian and other Commonwealth aircrew who made this, indeed, the British Empire's finest hour.

I bless them all, the long, the short and the tall. Per ardua ad astra.

[Petitions, June 11th, 2010]

The next petition, Mr. Speaker, is on behalf of citizens who want the Government of Canada to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.

Given that there is scientific consensus and public acknowledgement that animals can feel pain and suffering, that over one billion people around the world rely on animals for their livelihoods and that animals are often significantly affected by natural disasters and yet are seldom considered during relief efforts and emergency planning, the petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.

[Petitions, June 11th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I have four petitions, three of which are from the citizens of Canada who want to draw the attention of the Government of Canada to their extreme concern with the increase in violent assaults against public transit, school bus, paratransit and intercity bus workers across Canada. Not only are these operators at risk when assaulted, but so too are the passengers who place their faith in the operator to transport them safely to their destinations.

Therefore, the petitioners request that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada amend the Criminal Code to recognize the growing incidence of violence against public transit, school bus, paratransit, intercity transit operators, affecting their safety and that of the travelling public in Canada in the same fashion that peace officers are recognized in the code.

[National Defence, June 11th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows absolutely nothing about which he speaks, except I will point out, or maybe ask the question, if it is a secret cabinet document, how did he get it? Did he break the law? It really cannot be much of a secret if he got the document.

Again I will say that the program for the next generation fighter is important to Canada. It is important to jobs for Canadians. The process is going to follow all government rules. We are going to get the job done for our Canadian airmen and airwomen and the people who rely on them.

[National Defence, June 11th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, to repeat once again, the next generation fighter capability is important to Canada and important to our Canada first defence strategy. No decision has yet been made. Any decision will conform to government rules.

I would point out that if it were up to that party over there, we would not have a military.