House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 57% of the vote.
National Defence November 26th, 2012
We do, Mr. Speaker. I commend the report to members for reading. We have made progress on 10 of the 12 recommendations.
With respect to the production of documents, we continue to have a very productive and transparent relationship with the ombudsman and his office. We respect his work and that of his office with respect to the Department of National Defence and that under his purview. We will continue to work with his office within the mandate and the review of the law.
Questions on the Order Paper November 23rd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the date of the announcement was determined by a number of factors, including the availability of senior officials, the venue, and Lockheed Martin’s full-scale F-35 model.
The Government of Canada reception center at Uplands Hangar was selected on the basis of financial, logistical and security considerations, as well as its capacity to host a full-scale F-35 model and a CF-18.
With regard to (b), senior officials from several departments, including the Department of National Defence, Industry Canada, and Public Works and Government Services Canada, participated in the selection of the date, location and timing of the July 16, 2010 announcement.
With regard to (c), the guests were selected by the Office of the Minister of National Defence on the recommendation of departmental officials. The majority of the guests were invited by the department, while the remainder were invited by the Office of the Minister of National Defence.
With regard to (d), guests invited by the department received an invitation by telephone and/or email on Wednesday July 14, 2010.
National Defence November 22nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Pickering—Scarborough East for his service as a soldier and a member of this House.
NATO did in fact award Canada the Dominique-Jean Larrey Award, the highest NATO awarded bestowed for medical support. This is in recognition of the excellent work Canadians did at the Role 3 hospital established and run by great Canadians at the Kandahar airfield between 2006 and 2009. It recognizes the exemplary health care provided to the wounded in an extremely difficult security environment in Afghanistan. Casualties treated at Role 3 facility had a 98% survival rate. This is a testament to the extraordinary dedication and professionalism of the Canadian military health care providers. I congratulate them all.
National Defence November 22nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the member has finally read the report. I have had the report. What he would know is that, in fact, 10 of the 12 recommendations have been actioned. With respect to the remaining recommendations, there is certainly need for further action. It is unacceptable that there would be inequity with respect to ill and injured soldiers. We will be moving forward on these recommendations as soon as possible.
Foreign Affairs November 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, there have been a number of comments made by members of the government, many in the international community, about these attacks by Hamas and that have triggered a reaction and certainly pose a threat to regional security. We have called for the end of these attacks and for calm throughout this very tense time.
As we have stated emphatically, Israel has the right to defend itself and its civilian population. It has the right to exist. We will not back away from that position.
Veterans Affairs November 6th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Edmonton Centre for the question and also for his 31 years of service with the Canadian Forces.
Today I was honoured to be with the Minister of Veterans Affairs to announce the creation of the Memorial Ribbon as part of our government's ongoing support to Canada's military and their families. The Memorial Ribbon will recognize loved ones of our fallen heroes who have not been recognized by a Memorial Cross.
This demonstration of our continued care and concern for Canada's military families extends to our brave men and women who have served our country but also their families and loved ones who have sacrificed so much for us.
We honour those families. We will never forget their sacrifices. Lest we forget.
Questions on the Order Paper November 2nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, for the purposes of this response, a bonus is defined as “an unsought or unexpected extra benefit...an amount of money given...in recognition of exceptional performance or as a supplement at Christmas etc”, as in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, or as a performance-based incentive, such as the Government of Canada’s performance management program for executives, under which some employees of the public service are eligible for bonuses.
The Canadian Army did not pay any bonuses to its members from 2008 to 2012.
National Defence October 31st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, of course the Department of National Defence is doing its part to ensure the efficient and effective use of public funds.
This is all about generating savings for Canadians, and a major part of those savings with respect to readiness will be achieved through efficiencies gained, which were announced in budget 2012, and streamlining of contracting processes, internal processes, while maintaining the regular and reserve force strength.
However, when it comes to the issue of the decade of darkness, I would have to defer completely to that member who was part of the government that brought that decade into being.
National Defence October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I can assure my learned colleague that the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Border Services and Public Safety will continue to work together to keep Canadians safe.
With respect to details of this matter, I think my friend should know, as he has been here awhile, that discussing matters that are before the courts is totally inappropriate, particularly, I would suggest, on issues of national security. He is a lawyer and he should know that. I know you, Mr. Speaker, know that.
National Defence October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I would remind my colleague, as I just did, that we have seen the Canadian Forces grow substantially under this government. We have made key acquisitions. We have committed to the care of the ill and injured. We have invested across the country in our infrastructure to meet the needs of the men and women in uniform, where they work, where they train, where they live.
What I do know is a fact, and the member cannot deny it, and that is that he and his party have denied these investments over the last six years and continue to deny them. If the member is changing his position and wanting more support for the Canadian Forces, that is a welcome change.