House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 42% of the vote.
National Defence October 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I understand that these issues are being discussed among House leaders, but again I point out to the hon. member that under the Liberals there was no discussion on these things—no debate, no votes, no nothing. We have been very clear that any matter of this nature will be put to a vote in Parliament.
Again, I am looking forward to the Prime Minister's comments.
National Defence October 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, ISIL poses a terrible threat to regional security and to the security of this country. The NDP should not need a briefing to know what a terrible organization this has been and the horrors that it has perpetrated on the people there. We have been forthright. We have told New Democrats this and we have indicated that we are putting people on the ground to provide advice to the Iraqis.
I know they do not get it, but again I would urge her to listen to what the Prime Minister has to say after question period today.
National Defence October 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, we have been forthright about what has happened in these last 30 days. We have said that we have been on the ground to provide strategic and tactical advice, but the NDP does not get it.
The Leader of the Opposition yesterday mumbled something about nobody being there until September 26, which was completely wrong. Right from the start, the Canadian military has been on the ground and assisting in giving advice. What is the problem with the NDP?
National Defence October 2nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the member said that there was huge support under a Liberal government. I do not know how we would know that since the Liberals never brought the matter before Parliament.
The member wants to know what the objective is. The objective is to go against ISIL and stop the murderous activities that it has been involved with in that part of the world. That is what we are doing on the ground now giving advice to the Iraqis, and those are the considerations we will take forward.
National Defence October 2nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, these consultations and consensus that the member is talking about were never undertaken by the Liberals when they were in office, not at all. We have changed that. Whether it be Libya or Afghanistan, we have brought motions before Parliament, and the Prime Minister has indicated that any future combat mission will be brought before Parliament for a vote.
National Defence October 2nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the government has been very clear about our objective, which is to provide strategic advice to the Iraqi forces that are fighting ISIL.
However, we take no lessons from the Liberal Party. It consulted no one on Iraq or Afghanistan. We have committed to do exactly that, if we move forward.
Foreign Affairs October 2nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the action is to stop the killing, and this is why we are on the ground now, providing tactical advice to the Iraqis to make sure they have the ability to stop this kind of activity.
That is exactly why we are considering the request from our allies, because when it comes to standing up for people who are oppressed, people who are terrorized in this world, they know they can count on Canada.
Foreign Affairs October 2nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the whole idea of the mission with which we are involved and the consideration of the request that we received is to go after the perpetrators of these crimes.
I do not know what it is about New Democrats that they do not get that.
Foreign Affairs October 2nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, ISIL is a terrorist group that brutalizes and murders innocent people. That is why we are in this mission right now.
That is why we are contemplating another mission in that part of the world, and the members opposite should support us on these missions.
National Defence October 2nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I would be very interested to hear exactly where the Liberal Party stands. It has had about three different positions on this over the last number of weeks, so it would be fascinating to hear where it lands on this.
However, we have been very clear. This is a 30-day mission in which we are providing advice. We have received a request from the United States for further involvement, and we are considering that.