Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question today is again for the government leader in the Senate.

Leader, Canada stands in solidarity with Ukraine and its people. Russia’s attack on Ukraine should serve as a warning about how unprepared the Trudeau government is to defend Canada’s sovereignty and security, especially in the Arctic.

Last year, leader, Russian fighter aircraft flew over Canadian-claimed waters at the North Pole. The Government of Canada had no response. In 2017, this government issued a defence policy statement that promised a modernization of the North Warning System. That hasn’t happened. It promised to conclude a competition to buy new fighter aircraft to replace our 40‑year‑old jets. That has not been concluded. It promised unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor Canadian waters. Nothing has happened.

Leader, what and when does the government plan to do anything in terms of these much-needed modernizations?

Senator Plett: You repeated what I said, leader. I asked you a question. When? What? You say they’re committed. I read that they’re committed. I read what they promised to do. Leader, we need answers in this chamber, not a repeat of our questions.

I have other written questions, leader, on the Order Paper that your government has not answered about the state of Canada’s defence and Coast Guard readiness. For example, what is the cost estimate to build two polar icebreakers? When will the construction of medium icebreakers begin? Why has the plan to upgrade our search and rescue helicopters been reportedly put on hold? When will the used Australian fighter jets the Trudeau government purchased in 2018 be fully operational?

Leader, why are there no answers other than that the government is committed? Is it the plan of the Trudeau government to continually delay making decisions instead of actually doing anything and then just telling us they’re committed?