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Results: 1591 - 1605 of 1644
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Mr. Speaker, the government has replied ad nauseam, as have the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of National Defence, that our soldiers are there in the context of exchanges with our allies.
We, on the government side, were very proud that the House strongly supported our soldiers on exchanges who will remain with our allies. Pulling them out in such an irresponsible manner, as the Bloc Quebecois is suggesting, will not protect our military, who are doing an excellent job.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Acadie—Bathurst knows that the Prime Minister would never mislead the House of Commons.
The only thing that perhaps the member is having trouble understanding is the answer that has been given time and time again. Our forces are in the region in support of a campaign against terrorism, that is very clear. The House and the government has supported that initiative since the beginning.
The exchange officers who are currently serving with British, American and Australian forces are doing a wonderful job and they will remain there.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Mr. Speaker, as we have said many times, the soldiers who are there right now are taking part in exchange programs. They are not there for direct combat.
Perhaps the member has difficulty understanding this because he may not have realized that the House clearly stated that it was in favour of keeping our soldiers—who are there on exchange programs—in auxiliary positions. If the member thinks that this House was not very clear about the support we are giving these soldiers, then he is wrong.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member poses a question that is entirely hypothetical as to what may happen to our exchange officers.
If members perhaps would stop shouting and listen, what I can tell the House is that the Canadians forces have always looked after personnel who have been involved in operations in theatre, including exchange personnel. Obviously the Canadian Forces will do whatever is appropriate to look after Canadian forces at all times.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Mr. Speaker, as has been said on a number of occasions, these military exchanges have been going on for decades.
The minister clearly indicated yesterday that the exact facts on this are being looked into. I can tell you that the minister met yesterday with the department's history directorate and we are continuing to look into this.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Not in the least, Mr. Speaker. The government has stressed that these soldiers are involved in exchanges that have been taking place for some years now.
The House spoke clearly on this matter when it voted not to pull out soldiers on exchange. The only precedent that has been created in this House is to support our military personnel when they are in dangerous situations.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Battlefords—Lloydminster for giving me the opportunity to participate in my first adjournment debate as parliamentary secretary.
Canada has long been a country dedicated to peace and security, and an important part of that security obviously are the Canadian armed forces. We have demonstrated this commitment time and again and, in many circumstances, the men and women of the Canadian Forces have been an essential part of preserving the security and peace of Canadians.
The Canadian Forces also have the capability to respond to a wide range of operational requirements with respect to Sea King helicopters. As I said, time and again the Canadian Forces have demonstrated their ability to meet the requirements asked of them by the government, both at home and on missions abroad.
Our shipborne helicopters, currently the Sea Kings, have been an important part of the success of the Canadian Forces. In recent years, the Sea King fleet as a whole has performed very well in peace support, in maritime surveillance and as a secondary requirement in search and rescue operations.
That being said, the government has recognized that there are limitations with respect to the current Sea King fleet and that is why the goal of the government is to upgrade the Sea King fleet and, ultimately, and we hope quickly, replace the Sea Kings.
The hon. member for Battlefords—Lloydminster referred to the single tender approach that the minister announced in December. We believe this single tender approach will accelerate the procurement process, involve less risk and reduce the cost to Canadians.
The minister has stated time and again that his wish is that this procurement proceed quickly and on a priority basis. In fact, last Friday the government received letters of interest from four companies interested in being potential prime contractors for this project.
It is the government's responsibility to carefully manage all major crown procurements and the steps in this process are designed to ensure fairness, openness and, of course, transparency.
Not only is the valuation methodology for the new maritime helicopter consistent with Treasury Board policy, but the office of the Auditor General has stated that “There is more than one way to achieve best value”. She goes on to say “In these circumstances a lowest cost compliant approach to this type of procurement could give rise to best value”.
Our approach allows us to meet the operational needs of our military as specified by the military at the lowest life cycle cost to taxpayers. That is an important statement. The operational requirements for the maritime helicopter project have been determined by the military and at no point have we changed the operational requirements for this procurement.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity given to me by the hon. member to congratulate and thank the Canadian Forces for their extraordinary work carried out in situations that are often very difficult. These men and women make a daily contribution to our country and our collective security. We are all very proud of them.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Madam Speaker, I share the hon. member's concern and support for the men and women of our forces but on this side of the House we strongly support the decision of the minister and the outstanding job that the minister is doing in accelerating this procurement process.
We recognize that the Sea King fleet needs to be replaced. However there are a number of common misunderstandings with respect to the replacement. To use the word cheapest helicopter or to say best value as a way to exceed the operational requirements as determined by the military is not entirely accurate.
It is well-known that the debate around best value in this procurement is fueled largely by one private sector company which is free to pursue, in whatever way it wishes, this procurement process. However the government has been consistent and it has been clear. The operational requirements for this procurement have been determined by the military. They have not been changed. We believe that the contracting process currently underway will lead to the best possible helicopter as quickly as possibly, and that is exactly what we are doing.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not always agree on every issue, but one thing on which I believe we can find common ground is that some of the most talented artists and performers in the world originate from Atlantic Canada.
Next week the National Arts Centre will unveil the artists line up of the Atlantic Scene/la Scène atlantique, a unique showcase of Atlantic Canadian artists who will hit the national capital region from April 22 to May 4. More than 400 Atlantic artists will perform in 85 venues for the 13 days of this festival.
I urge all Canadians to get out and participate in the Atlantic Scene when it comes to the capital. I commend the National Arts Centre for its vision in making the artists from Atlantic Canada a centrepiece of its programming.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Mr. Speaker, the Maritime helicopter procurement project has been a priority for the Minister of National Defence and for the government. We have said that our goal is to obtain the best aircraft as quickly as possible.
To simply make outrageous allegations about unsafe aircraft which simply are not true does not help the confidence of the men and women of our Canadian Forces. At no time do we operate unsafe aircraft.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Mr. Speaker, surely the hon. member is not suggesting that the Maritime helicopter project proceed by way of an untendered contract.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, two copies of the 2001-02 annual report of the Canadian Forces Housing Agency.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Madam Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 45 and 105.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
I ask, Madam Speaker, that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.
The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos): Is that agreed?
Some hon. members: Agreed.
View Dominic LeBlanc Profile
Lib. (NB)
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition on behalf of the member for Markham, signed by many Canadians who are very concerned with the situation in Iraq and calling upon the government not to participate in any upcoming military invasion by the United States.
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