Laurie Hawn

[National Defence, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Chinook fleets will be able to operate anywhere in Canada or around the world. Procuring those aircraft will generate economic spinoffs for Canada and will create jobs. The most efficient and cost-effective way to support the Chinook operations will be to consolidate their operations on one main operational base.

The Department of National Defence is currently studying various options regarding the best possible location of the base to accommodate the aircraft, so they can effectively meet the changing needs of the Canadian Forces.

[National Defence, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, finally, a good question. I thank the member for his tremendous support of the Canadian Forces.

In line with the Canada first defence strategy, we are improving the work and housing environments by improving base infrastructure and putting people to work. This year we have announced almost $2 billion in construction projects. This illustrates our government's ongoing commitment to the Canadian Forces and solid contribution to Canada's economic well-being.

Here is a partial list of our infrastructure spending: $334 million at Trenton; $135 million at Cold Lake; $109 million in Montreal, Valcartier and Bagotville; $266 million for Esquimalt; and $66 million for 14 Wing Greenwood.

We are getting the job done for the Canadian Forces and Canada.

[Afghanistan, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we continue to do everything in our power to protect people who depend on us for support, whether they are our own Canadian Forces members, whether they are prisoners, or anybody we deal with around the world.

This government has a very good grip on Canadian values, our attention to the rule of law and the things that are just simply right. We will continue to operate in that manner despite any allegations from across the floor.

[Afghanistan, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this is really getting boring. We are doing everything in our power to protect everybody, whether it is--

[Afghanistan, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it must be teamwork over there, a true coalition in question period.

Nothing has changed. The answer will not change. There have been a number of investigations ongoing. They are all proceeding. They are all independent. They are all at arm's-length from the government and the answers will be made available.

We will make sure it is done according to the process of law, according to the process that we in the House are bound to uphold.

These are allegations only. The allegations of prisoner abuse have already been proven to be incorrect and wrong. We will continue along this path of following the course of the law in all these matters.

[Afghanistan, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I apologize to my hon. friend for not being the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but the answer will be the same, whether it comes from me or the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

We have been cooperating with the MPCC from day one. We will continue to do that. It needs to operate within its mandate. The Federal Court has clarified its mandate. We are not obstructing anything.

We are making sure that things are carried out in accordance with the law, in the best interests of Canada, and in the best interests of the people we serve around the world, which is why people like members of the Canadian Forces who, as the member knows well, are doing their job in an extremely good way. Any allegations are simply allegations and to impugn guilt is, frankly again, obnoxious.

[Afghanistan, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP and the Liberals should get together on their questions. There are a number of procedural matters before the tribunal. It is ongoing. It is not appropriate to comment on day-to-day proceedings.

We are committed to fully cooperating with the MPCC. We have been doing that from the start. When it is operating within its mandate, which the Federal Court has recently confirmed, it is limited to military policing matters.

[Afghanistan, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this government has been co-operating with the Military Police Complaints Commission all along, and that is not going to change.

We are, however, committed to co-operating with the commission within its mandate, which the Federal Court has recently confirmed was limited to military police matters. To suggest that the Canadian Forces or this government do not take seriously the type of allegations, allegations only, that have come forward is obnoxious and the member should be ashamed of herself.

[Afghanistan, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, these complaints are before a tribunal. It is a matter before the courts. The government takes very seriously all these allegations. The government has had confirmed by the Federal Court that the Military Police Complaints Commission is limited to matters of military police investigations.

[HIV-AIDS, October 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, recently HIV Edmonton staged its 18th annual AIDS Walk for Life. I was very proud to support this event, as I have done for the past four years.

Over 400 walkers came to show their support and over 100 volunteers helped organize this tremendous event. The walk raised over $120,000. Monies raised will fund local HIV-AIDS charities that provide support, outreach, education and prevention services across the Edmonton region.

We must continue to fund HIV-AIDS research and find a cure for those affected by this disease. Recently, we saw some good news on this front with vaccine trials in Thailand showing promising results. However, there is still much work to be done.

I am proud to be part of a government that has made the largest investment in HIV-AIDS research in Canada's history. I plan on walking every year that I can until this disease is cured.

I congratulate HIV Edmonton and organizers in the many other cities who have taken up this challenge.