SoVote

Mrs. Laila Goodridge (Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, CPC)

Mar/28/22 2:13:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of representing the fine women and men of 4 Wing stationed in Cold Lake. The Prime Minister has delayed selecting future fighter jets for over six years, and Conservatives have been pushing to select the F-35s to replace the old F-18s. In fact, we need to increase our defence spending to 2% of the GDP to meet our NATO commitments and support our armed forces. We have first-rate soldiers relying on increasingly second-rate equipment, and this government should have addressed the issue before we were in crisis. The Prime Minister and his Minister of Foreign Affairs seem to believe that we can lay down our arms and accomplish our foreign policy goals through the power of convening and moral authority. Well, I think we saw at the European Parliament how seriously the world takes this government's moral authority. I hope that the government will wake up, make the necessary decisions of investments to modernize our armed forces and stop resting our foreign policy goals on the Prime Minister's personal brand. Our country, and the women and men who defend it, deserve better.

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Context: House Hansard - 47 - Mar/28/22

Hon. Anita Anand (Minister of National Defence, Lib.)

Mar/28/22 3:02:15 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I differ with the member opposite's characterization of Canada's aid to date. In fact, I have announced six tranches of military aid, both lethal and non-lethal, to Ukraine since February alone. This represents well over $100 million in military aid to Ukraine. We have also assisted our allies. With 21 flights on the C-130s, Canada is providing airlift support across the NATO alliance. We are there for Ukraine. We stand with their sovereignty and stability. We will be there as long as we need to.

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Context: House Hansard - 47 - Mar/28/22

Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, CPC)

Mar/28/22 3:02:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the government has committed 3,400 troops to augment NATO's eastern flank should Putin's war spread to an alliance member. NATO members have contingencies to safeguard troops in case Putin deploys nuclear or chemical weapons. The Liberals stood down our military for the better part of two years during COVID. New recruits were put into solitary confinement, missing the rare chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training course. The safety of women and men is at risk when they are not fully trained. Why is the NDP-Liberal government putting our troops in harm's way without the proper protection?

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Context: House Hansard - 47 - Mar/28/22

Hon. Anita Anand (Minister of National Defence, Lib.)

Mar/28/22 3:03:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am surprised at the member opposite's characterization of our Canadian Armed Forces. In fact, our commitment to NATO operations, including Operation Reassurance, is unwavering. To reinforce our deterrent measures in Europe in the face of rising tensions, we announced that we are increasing military contributions in support of NATO and in support of Operation Reassurance with up to 460 additional CAF personnel; an artillery battery in Latvia; a second frigate, which departed Halifax over the past couple of weeks; and a maritime patrol aircraft. We are there for NATO. We are there for Ukraine.

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Context: House Hansard - 47 - Mar/28/22

Mr. James Bezan

Mar/28/22 5:02:24 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-8

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for the question and acknowledge that he recognizes that I am the biggest proponent for the F-35 and have been for a long time. It is better late than never that he showed up to the party. I can tell him that this is the right plane for our Royal Canadian Air Force. This is the right plane for our NORAD mission. This is the right plane for our NATO mission, and it is the right plane for the Canadian aerospace sector. This is a serious investment and one that should have happened six or seven years ago. Instead, the Liberals played politics with this until now when they realize it is the only choice. I will call it the Liberal government because members dithered and delayed on it, but nonetheless I am glad that the NDP government made the right decision.

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