Senator Marshall: On March 8 — so that was eight months ago — officials from your department told the Senate National Finance Committee, of which I am a member, that the updated policy would be released very soon. That was the term we were told. They said, “very soon.” However, we have yet to see it. The Parliamentary Budget Officer has also reported that the Trudeau government has underfunded the policy’s capital investment plan, which accompanies Strong, Secure, Engaged.

Will you commit to releasing the updated defence policy and the capital investment plan before the end of 2023?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Hello, minister. Like other Canadians, the men and women of the Canadian Forces are struggling under the Trudeau government’s cost-of-living crisis. Just within the last few weeks, we’ve heard that our soldiers are asking for donations to help with food and housing costs. CAF members are increasingly choosing to leave the forces rather than relocate to an area they cannot afford or take a loss on an existing home, and the average cost to purchase or rent housing now exceeds incomes of several CAF working rank levels. Is the affordability crisis caused by the Trudeau government harming our military personnel and its readiness? It certainly looks that way.