Laurie Hawn

[Petitions, June 9th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present three petitions.

In the first, the undersigned residents of Canada draw the attention of the House of Commons to the fact that since July 1999 the Chinese Communist Party has launched an eradication campaign against Falun Gong.

They urgently call upon the Canadian government to help stop these atrocities by taking the following actions: condemn the Communist regime for committing these crimes against humanity; urge the Chinese regime to end the persecution of Falun Gong and release all Falun Gong practitioners; and take active measures to help stop the mass killing and organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners.

[D-Day, June 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the veterans of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy will tell us that they were ordinary Canadians serving their country because it was the right thing to do, but we know very well that those Canadians, like Lieutenant Hall, accomplished extraordinary things.

D-Day was a pivotal moment in history for Canada and for the world. To express the gratitude of all Canadians toward those who served on D-Day and in the Battle of Normandy, the Right Hon. Prime Minister of Canada and the Hon. Minister of Veterans Affairs will join leaders from around the world on the beaches of Normandy tomorrow to remember and pay respect to the lives lost there 65 years ago.

We must never forget the sacrifices of those who served our country and those who serve today, lest we forget.

[Canada Day, June 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that tomorrow is the 65th anniversary of D-Day, and we have heard many eloquent words of gratitude and remembrance in this House.

We all know that thousands of brave Canadians are serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere today, and we are all inspired by their incredible efforts. Their service and sacrifice allows us to securely celebrate Canada Day every July 1.

For this 142nd Canada Day, I and several dozen other Conservative members of Parliament are challenging our constituents to show their pride by launching our “Proud to be a Canadian” campaign.

We have all sent out thousands of paper flags as part of our householders to the people of our ridings to display in their windows on July 1, to celebrate the rich heritage of our country and our flag.

People can sign up by filling out and returning the reply section of the householders which will allow us to keep track of how many people are showing their pride in Canada.

I know that Edmonton Centre will show that it is the most patriotic riding in Canada, but wherever we are across the land, let us all fly the maple leaf proudly on Canada Day and never forget who has given us the ability to do that.

[Sri Lanka, May 25th, 2009]

Let's invade.

[National Defence, May 15th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate the question, and the answer is, that is right.

[National Defence, May 15th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for the question, but I really wish he would listen. This question has been answered several times.

The Minister of National Defence has been clear, as have ministers from that region. We have no intention, with respect to the 429 Squadron, of making a decision of taking the squadron away from Bagotville. Our ministers from that region are not Bloc members. When our ministers say something, they can keep their word.

[Points of Order, May 14th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order out of question period. I want to make it crystal clear to my friend for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord that there are no plans to shut down 439th squadron in Bagotville.

[National Defence, May 14th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the only thing that member is losing is his sense of reality.

The Minister of National Defence gets advice all the time, as does every other minister, but it is the government that will make the decisions. When we make a decision, it will be in the best interests of the Canadian Forces, in the best interests of the people the Canadian Forces serves, in the best interests of the people of Canada and in the best interests of, first and foremost, the people who look after us. We need to look after them. We are not like the group across the way that plunged the Canadian Forces into a decade of darkness and sucked the lifeblood out of them for 10 years.

[National Defence, May 14th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence receives advice, briefing notes and decks all the time, as does every other minister, but it is advice only. It is the government that makes decisions, not the bureaucracy. No decisions have been made with respect to the location of existing assets or aircraft required in the future.

No decisions have been made concerning the location of existing operational training units or future aircraft procurements.

[Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, May 14th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, copies of the 2007 annual report of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal.