Peter MacKay

[Government Contracts, February 1st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces take all necessary steps to ensure that the men and women of the Canadian forces have access to the best training forces available and the best training facilities, and that includes, typically, providing our own trainers. However, sometimes it does involve contracting outside trainers when it is the most cost-effective option.

The type of training provided by Xe is highly specialized. It is operationally essential. In fact, it allows Canadian personnel deploying on international missions, including military police, special forces and army operational support, to have that best training possible.

[Foreign Affairs, January 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his work on this file.

Canada is increasingly concerned by the actions taken by the Iranian authorities and will increase sanctions immediately.

Canada is extending existing sanctions against five entities and three individuals in Iran.

Canada has taken aggressive action and has been among the toughest with sanctions against Iran in the world. In fact, Canada has sanctions that cover the known leadership, the Iranian revolutionary guard. It blocked virtually all financial transactions with Iran, including those with the central bank.

Canada will continue to work with the growing list of like-minded countries to limit Iran's ability for further undercut global peace—

[Questions on the Order Paper, January 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, no dedicated reconnaissance flight was conducted for this mission. The reconnaissance was conducted by the standby crew on a normal training flight in Newfoundland. On their return to 9 Wing Gander, they overflew the area in question to conduct the reconnaissance. The added time to overfly the area was negligible and did not result in any additional costs.

[Questions on the Order Paper, January 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the Department of National Defence has undertaken a full review of its spending to ensure that all expenditures and programs were aligned to departmental and government priorities. This thorough review was followed by an analysis to ensure that programs and spending were effective and efficient, focused on core roles, and met the needs of Canadians. Programs were assessed with regard to their intended results, as defined in the program activity architecture, and in relation to their role within the delivery of the Canada First defence strategy. The results of this review continue to be assessed.

[Minister of National Defence, December 15th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has certainly earned its seat at the international table when it comes to discussions like we had at the Munich security conference. This conference was held in Germany.

As to the expenses that the member is referring to, Canada books rooms at the same hotel where the conference takes place, where the majority of participants stay. Nation-to-nation meetings at conferences such as this advance the interests of Canada and advance the interests of the hard-working men and women who serve our country around the world. I was proud to represent Canada at that conference.

[Afghanistan, December 14th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I can confirm that is the case.

[Search and Rescue, December 12th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, in almost 15 years in this place, I have never walked out the back door of this chamber.

I want to repeat what retired Cormorant squadron leader and pilot Major Steven Reid said in response to questions about the flight:

The flight would have flown regardless of whether or not the minister was included because the squadron conducts two training events per day as part of a regular routine.

I took part in one of those routines, and I can tell members that our SAR pilots, our participants in those missions, are doing spectacular work on behalf of our country.

[Search and Rescue, December 12th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said in this House many times, I left time off to go back to work. Before leaving Gander, I took part in a search and rescue demonstration that has been confirmed by retired Cormorant squadron leader and pilot, Major Stephen Reid, who stated that the participation in this training exercise was viewed as a win-win situation.

As I said, I took part in this demonstration, and then as requested, I went on to complete further government business.

[Search and Rescue, December 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I have answered this question a number of times. I left time off to go back to work.

[Search and Rescue, December 6th, 2011]

I am not hiding, Mr. Speaker, I am right here. I have been answering questions on this repeatedly. I left my time off that I was spending with friends, which I paid for personally. I was called back to work, and that is what happened.