House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 53% of the vote.
National Defence May 10th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, independent military analysts disagree with the minister that we are more combat capable than we were 10 years ago.
Recently Major-General MacKenzie asked a roomful of military people whether anyone agreed with the minister's claim and not a single person raised their hand.
With a 40 year old aircraft in frontline duty, capability for combat and domestic service is suffering. When will this glaring deficiency end? When will the Sea King be replaced? When?
National Defence May 10th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, at 25 years a car is a bona fide antique automobile. At 30 years a person can legally become a senator. At 40 years and counting, the Sea King, the senior citizen of the Canadian air fleet, barely totters on while the political procurement nightmare continues.
In critical frontline service for years longer than most that fly, what will it take to get Sea King replacements: Liberal Party memberships?
World War Ii May 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, a new dawn broke over Europe's wartorn land 56 years ago. The crash of shells and the burst of bombs were replaced with church bells tolling for peace. Peace at last to a Europe engorged for six long years with war. A war so cataclysmic that tens of millions perished at the blade of the war sword and in the gas chambers designed by Hitler's mad men.
The cannons of war would now point to the Far East where soon a minute atom would in turn extinguish Hirohito's will for war.
Victory in Europe was a celebration for a continent, a pause on the road to a world free of war. Canada had over one million in uniform to help quell the rage of World War II. We remember today the price of this peace, those who fought and lived and those who never returned home. Lest we all forget.
National Defence May 4th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, before the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs, General Baril said that Canada's participation in missile defence would be a political, not a military decision.
Yesterday the Liberal member for Oshawa's statement indicated that a political decision had already been made, quote, “we're not going to support it”.
Why was parliament not consulted before this decision was made?
National Defence May 4th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, 40 years ago Cuba aimed its missiles at North America. Canada and the United States together went on full military alert to deal with the crisis.
Forty years later, the United States has the technology to defend against the missile threat of rogue nations and wants to build a North American protective shield against these threats.
Will parliament be fully involved in the decision making process?
National Defence May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the conference of defence associations says the most critical need of the military is the replacement of the Sea King helicopters.
Every time our soldiers fly, their families must cross their fingers in hope of a safe return. When will the minister end this political procurement nightmare and get the goods our military needs?
National Defence May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, 40 years ago the Prime Minister was just a rookie, Sputnik was still circling the globe, and Canada ordered its Sea King helicopters.
Today many would argue that the time for all three has come: the Sputnik has fallen, the Prime Minister is now a senior citizen and the Sea Kings survive as aeronautical antiques.
When could our military expect delivery of the 40 year old Sea King helicopter replacements?
Questions On The Order Paper May 2nd, 2001
Can the government provide precise and workable definitions of the terms “affordable housing”, “poverty” and “homeless”?
National Defence May 1st, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the question was: Did we give support to the plan? The government has dithered on this issue for years while the Americans have been looking for a positive Canadian response.
The director general of policy and planning in the Department of National Defence stated:
—the value of our political support will depreciate as we approach decision time. Once the U.S. has made its decision, that value will be reduced to nothing.
When will the government get off the fence and speak out in Canada's national interest?
National Defence May 1st, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the Americans are moving ahead with the development of their missile defence program. Yesterday President Bush was reported to have called the Prime Minister to discuss this important security issue.
Understandably final details are required for a final decision, but did the Prime Minister give qualified support? Did he give support in principle? Did he give encouragement for this plan?