Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, Justices Arbour and Fish conducted extensive outreach and consultations with victims, survivors, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, their families, military justice experts and constitutional experts to get this right. In fact, the chief of the defence staff, General Jennie Carignan, in her previous role as chief of personnel and professional conduct, also undertook extensive consu…
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Mr. Speaker, it gives me an opportunity to talk a little more about what is in the bill. We would be codifying in law that the Canadian Armed Forces no longer have jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada. We would be codifying in law that civilian authorities have exclusive jurisdiction for investigating and prosecuting these Criminal Code sexual offences committed in C…
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Mr. Speaker, it is a question of opportunity. We introduced the bill and reintroduced it in the House of Commons. It went through the normal process, and it was Justice Arbour herself who predicted that it would take a few years to bring about fundamental changes. That is exactly where we are now. The hon. member knows this; he is aware of the situation, and we hope to make progress today.
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Mr. Speaker, it is interesting. We went through a process in committee, an important process. I appeared on this bill. Unfortunately, virtually every substantive amendment put forward by the opposition parties has been ruled out of order by the Speaker's office. As a result of that, we are in the position now where we are, basically, moving forward. There is a lot at stake here for the women and m…
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Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking my colleagues for being here to debate this important issue. I would remind the member across the floor that for 10 years Mr. Harper did nothing about this issue. The Conservatives did not bring a single proposed legislative amendment or change to the whole question of this regime. What we have decided is that delivering culture change is not only the right th…
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I would like to table, in both official languages, a notice of a ways and means motion to introduce a bill entitled “A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025”. Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), I would like to request that an order of the day be designated for the consideration of this motion.
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Mr. Speaker, let us talk about jobs. The joint support ship project will create 3,100 jobs. The River-class destroyers project will create 9,000 jobs. The search and rescue aircraft project will create 1,800 jobs. The logistics vehicle modernization project will create 1,600 jobs. The list is long, but we are just getting started.
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Mr. Speaker, I think they want more, so let us give them more. There is 5 Wing Goose Bay, which is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs, with $8 billion; Bay du Nord, with thousands of jobs and $14 billion; Mersey River Wind project, with 200 construction jobs and $500 million; Nova Scotia and New Brunswick intertie, with 600 jobs and $6 billion; Port of Montreal's Contrecoeur project, wit…
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Mr. Speaker, they are against everything. They are against Canada's defence and security industry, which generates $14 billion in annual revenue and supports 81,000 full-time jobs and 200,000 indirect jobs—
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Mr. Speaker, establishing Canadian sovereign space launch capabilities is going to drive billions of dollars in investments. It is going to create good-paying jobs, increase Canada's sovereignty, reduce our economy's reliance on the United States and support a commercial space launch and re-entry industry that could be worth up to $40 billion. This is what we are investing in, essential capabiliti…
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Mr. Speaker, we are busy rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. We are proud to invest in space capabilities, including space launch infrastructure. It is important for us to assert our sovereignty and our security in space-based communications, particularly in the Arctic. This is one in a continuing series of generational investments to ensure both Canada's security an…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians do have a question: Why are the Conservatives against rearming, rebuilding and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces? We are proud to invest in space capabilities, including space launch infrastructure. It is important for Canada to assert its sovereignty in space-based communications. This is one of a continuing series of generational investments to ensure both Canada's …
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Mr. Speaker, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, 20% of the Canadian economy depends every day on satellites. Whether we are ordering food to our front doors, trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange, mapping our agricultural products in the production system, or deploying AI for firefighting purposes, we need satellite capabilities, and we need secure telecommunications for our Arcti…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Acadie—Annapolis for his advocacy on behalf of the brave men and women of Canadian Forces Base Greenwood. Our soldiers, sailors and aviators do important and incredible work, and we need more of them. That is why we have been reinvesting in our people. We have given members of our forces a well-deserved pay raise. We are getting them the tools, the weapons, the …
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Orléans for her question. We do indeed have some important news for Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces. Recruitment has reached its highest level in 30 years. Here are the facts: Over the past year, the number of applications has more than doubled to over 45,000. We have recruited 7,310 regular force members, exceeding our target, and 70 of the 9…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House that the opposition day designated for Thursday, April 23, has been undesignated and that the business for that day shall be Bill C-11, an act to amend the National Defence Act and other acts.
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Mr. Speaker, we recently launched a defence industrial strategy for the country and it is taking hold. There has already been $14 billion in annual revenue contributing to over 81,000 direct and 200,000 indirect jobs. In the joint support ships alone, we see 3,100 jobs; River class destroyer ships, 9,000 jobs; fixed-wing search and rescue, 1,800 jobs; and logistics vehicle modernization, 1,500 job…
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That is a bit rich, Mr. Speaker. The member has voted against every single proposal to look after our forces. He has no ground to stand on. The members of the Canadian Armed Forces carry out important work on behalf of Canada here at home and around the world. We have introduced a suite of cost of living supports to support them and their families: that is, a well-deserved pay raise, $100 million …
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Mr. Speaker, there is nothing fake about 8%, 13% and 20% pay raises. That is the first thing. The member knows better than to raise this subject matter, which is important, this way. Ninety thousand members of the forces are getting a pay raise. He is aware of that. We have invested in hundreds of new housing units on and off bases, 800 homes are being constructed today, and we have modernized the…
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Once again, Mr. Speaker, let us be factual: 8%, 13% and 20% pay increases; annual retention bonuses based on years of service; instructor benefits and special incentives to allow folks to move from the practising of their trades in the forces to become instructors. We are making progress. We are, all together, collectively rebuilding the Canadian Armed Forces. The members on both sides of the Hous…
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Mr. Speaker, here are a few facts for the member. Joint support ships will provide 3,500 jobs. Arctic and offshore patrol ships will provide 2,300 jobs. Remotely piloted aircraft systems will provide 700 jobs annually. River-class destroyers will provide 5,250 jobs. Logistics vehicle modernization will provide 1,000 jobs. Armoured combat support vehicles will provide 1,650 jobs. The list goes on a…
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Mr. Speaker, with Canada's first-ever defence industrial strategy, we are making major investments to build up Canada's domestic defence industry. Last week alone, we announced a $900-million investment to support drone development and quantum technologies, a $200-million investment in space launch capabilities in Atlantic Canada, a $300-million contract for new modular assault rifles, and over $1…
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Mr. Speaker, in the past week alone, we have announced a $40-billion plan to transform Canada's north and Arctic, with $10 billion in major projects; a $900-million investment to support drone development and quantum technologies; a $200-million investment in Canada's space launch capabilities in Atlantic Canada; a $300-million contract for new modular assault rifles; and over $1.4 billion for dom…
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Mr. Speaker, it is up to us to defend and secure Canada from existing and emerging threats. That is why we are moving forward with a $35-billion plan to defend, build and transform Canada's northern and Arctic region. This includes $32 billion for our forward and deployed operating bases, including 5 Wing Goose Bay in Labrador. We are making major generational investments that matter to build Cana…
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is a Pacific country and we are proud to strengthen our partnership with Australia. Last week, we were in Australia to strengthen our relationship and increase our co-operation in the areas of military exercises and procurement. That includes training our forces on the Arctic over-the-horizon radar system. We are quickly expanding our defence partnerships around the world.
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Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for his concern for the situation. He and I share that concern and stand on the same ground. I have made it very clear. Canada has no intention whatsoever of entering into this prosecution of a war led by Israel and the United States. Canada was not consulted. Canada did not advise. Canada does not have personnel actively engaged in this conflict. That is very clear…
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Mr. Speaker, the events unfolding in the Middle East remind us that, in today's interconnected world, no conflict is far away and no nation is immune to the repercussions of upheavals elsewhere. The stakes of what is unfolding in the Middle East extend far beyond the region itself. The past weeks have brought a stark reminder of this reality. Military operations, retaliatory strikes and the threat…
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Mr. Chair, I think that I accurately described Canada's position. It is fairly clear, and the Prime Minister himself has been very clear in his most recent remarks. Preparations to assist Canadians in the region began immediately after the attack by Israel and the United States. We have hundreds of people in place, both here and in the region, to help Canadians leave the area. We are talking about…
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Mr. Chair, I think that what is being discussed at the United Nations should be taken seriously. However, we also have to admit that there is a problem at the UN. I used to work for the UN. The organization has a problem. It does not seem to be working. Over the past decade, the UN and its security council have failed to resolve a number of conflicts. I think there is work to do and progress to ma…
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Mr. Chair, the Canadian Armed Forces are in a constant state of readiness. They are always monitoring what is happening geopolitically around the world. In this case, following the attack in Iran, the Canadian Armed Forces are doing their job. There is always the possibility of helping other countries, especially in the Middle East, that may need assistance, for example with desalination plants, t…
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Mr. Chair, the first thing I would remind the member of is that there is a difference between offensive and defensive activities. Right now, I have made it very clear that the government is not going to be pursuing offensive activities. This is not something we are contemplating. It is not something we have been requested to do. We have not been approached by the prosecutors of this war, Israel or…
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Mr. Speaker, last night, Ukrainian parents hugged their children as sirens began to blare. Some rationed what little heat they had left; others huddled together in dark, cold apartments. They listened as drones flew over the city for hours, then to the deafening sounds of missiles. For Ukrainians, this is just another night. This morning marks four long years since Russia launched its unjustified,…
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Mr. Speaker, this morning we announced a phase two addition of 7,500 new residential units in 25 locations across the country. Already, more than 800 new residential housing units are under way. The shovels are in the ground. For Valcartier, Petawawa and Edmonton, there are 1,000 new units; for Kingston, 900 new units; and for Gagetown, 500 new units. We are delivering for the Canadian Armed Force…
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Mr. Speaker, last week, we launched Canada's first-ever defence industrial strategy. It is a plan that provides a signal to industry, allies, partners, the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadians alike that we are moving forward quickly and with purpose. We are building. We are partnering. We are buying Canadian. We are strengthening our relationship with our partners. We are transforming procurement.…
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Mr. Speaker, as part of our generational investments in the Canadian Armed Forces, we are procuring a new fleet of fighter aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. We review all procurement approaches to align with the best interests of Canadians and the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces. We are committed to procuring what the air force needs while ensuring economic benefits for Canadians. That…
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Japan Concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology”, done at Ottawa on January 27.
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Mr. Speaker, we are consumed with rebuilding, rearming and rebooting our Canadian Armed Forces. We are building thousands of new homes. We are retrofitting thousands of existing units. Every member of the House knows it is time for us to invest properly in our Canadian Armed Forces members, which is exactly what we are doing. For example, recently we acquired a 37-unit apartment building in B.C. a…
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Mr. Speaker, we are working together with our colleagues in the Arctic. We are working together. I had the chance to meet with the Premier of Nunavut just this morning. We were discussing a holistic approach to how we will invest in defence and our capacities. Obviously, operational needs will be important, but so will dual-use and multi-use investments as we go forward. These are the kinds of det…
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement Between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Concerning the Status of Visiting Forces of Each State in the Territory of the Other State”, done at Manila…
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Mr. Speaker, this week, we announced our purchase of a package of critical military capability under NATO's prioritized Ukraine requirements list, or PURL, in partnership with other NATO allies. Our $200-million contribution to this PURL package will include capabilities that have been specifically identified by Ukraine as its urgent requirements to support its defence against Russia's aggression …
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Mr. Speaker, here is what is believable: It is 37,922 jobs through 15 procurement projects across this country and $106.3 billion of investment in our defence sector. The opposition should clamp down on the negativism, help build this country forward, get behind our defence sector and get behind our defence industrial strategy. Let us grow this economy for our people and our future.
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Mr. Speaker, this summer, we signed a historic agreement to forge a new, ambitious and comprehensive partnership with European countries. Today, the Prime Minister announced the conclusion of negotiations for Canada's participation in SAFE. This will unlock billions of dollars in defence opportunities for our Canadian businesses. It will give our defence industry expanded access to the European ma…
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Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his work and for his advocacy for Atlantic Canadian excellence. This past weekend, we announced Canada's first maritime defence innovation secure hub, or DISH, at COVE in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. This is a brand new, $30-million hub. We will bring together, for the first time, defence and security partners, industry, academia and naval operators to develop, tes…
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moved: That this committee take note of the softwood lumber industry.
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Mr. Speaker, as part of our generational investments in the Canadian Armed Forces, we are procuring a new fleet of fighter aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. We review all procurement approaches responsibly to align with the best interests of Canadians and the needs of the CAF. We are committed to procuring what the Air Force needs, while ensuring economic benefits for Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, I will repeat the answer. We are in the process of procuring a new fleet of fighter aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. We review all procurement approaches to ensure they are aligned with the interests of Canadians and the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces. We are committed to procuring what the air force needs, while ensuring economic benefits for Canadians. It is that simpl…
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Mr. Speaker, in budget 2025, we are investing over $81 billion to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in our Canadian Armed Forces. We are making major investments in our people, with the largest salary increase, up to 20% for CAF members, in a generation. This past weekend, nearly 90,000 CAF members saw their salaries increase. That is what is in our budget: a pay raise for CAF members, support for CAF m…
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Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 includes generational investments to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces. This budget includes a historic $2 billion to boost pay for nearly 90,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. Low-ranking sailors, soldiers and aviators received a 20% pay raise last Friday. I encourage all members to unite in supporting our armed forces and …
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Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 includes generational investments to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces, and it starts with our people. This budget includes a $2-billion historic pay and benefits package, which will impact close to 100,000 forces members and their families. Untrained sailors, privates and aviators are receiving a 20% pay raise. That is what is in our budget. That is…
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Mr. Speaker, the government recently announced a three-year extension of Operation Reassurance, Canada's largest overseas military mission, with over 2,000 CAF members stationed in Latvia. Is the member seriously suggesting that Canada should not pass a budget that would allow us to give the strongest expression of our commitment to NATO as Canadians reinforce NATO's eastern flank by contributing …
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