Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Armed Forces is strengthened by the diversity of its traditions and the backgrounds and beliefs of its members. The policies to support diversity are a moral and ethical responsibility of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service, the chief of the defence staff and CAF leadership. In their commitment to care for all, they have made a decision that the spiritual health and well-being of CAF members are vital to operational effectiveness, and they have, of course, brought in guidelines that do not ban private or personal faith.

Mr. Speaker, our investments in Canada's space capabilities, the member will know, will translate into new jobs, stronger supply chains, greater industrial capacity and a more resilient Canadian economy. We are taking decisive action to strengthen our security and sovereignty, and to reinforce the resilience and long-term strength of the country. We are strengthening Atlantic Canada's industrial capacity, growing Nova Scotia's role in Canada's defence industry and giving Canada the capability it needs to respond to evolving global security challenges, while supporting long-term economic growth.

Mr. Speaker, what is weak is the narrative. The Leader of the Opposition knows that his handful of tax changes are not going to contend with the economic challenges we are facing in the United States. They are not going to contend with the Ukrainian war. They are not going to contend with the gulf war. The Leader of the Opposition cherry-picks all the time. He does not talk about us being up 88,000 jobs last month. He does not talk about unemployment being down. He does not talk about foreign direct investment being the highest in 20 years. He does not talk about cutting taxes. He does not talk about our increased capital gains eligibility. In fact, what is interesting is that there is no plan coming from that side—

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure where the member has been, but he has not been to any of our 33 bases lately. He is not seeing the investments that are being made there. He is not seeing the improvements that have been showing up, such as a 61% increase in applications this year, year over year, a 13% increase in those accepted into the forces, reductions in times for training, and 8%, 13% and 20% increases in salaries. It is so bad. I really just cannot figure out how they can make this stuff up.

Mr. Speaker, it is a good day to answer this question, because, in fact, a year ago today we announced that we would achieve 2% of our GDP expenditures for defence. I remember where the member was at the end of the Harper regime when it was less than 1%. I did not see him fighting then for the money that we needed for our forces. In fact, he has been missing in action. On the housing front alone, we are building 7,500 new units, 800 units are under construction now and three new apartment buildings have been purchased. We are making progress step by step. That is exactly what the women and men of the forces deserve.

Mr. Speaker, we are going to continue to make thoughtful, systematic and disciplined investments in the Canadian Armed Forces. Applications are up 61% year over year. The number of folks brought into the system is up 13% year over year. We have more women joining. We are making progress on the cultural challenges inside the Canadian Armed Forces. We are buying weapons systems. We bought new rifles. We are building new homes. We are building for the future. When a mess is left like it was by the last regime under Mr. Harper, it is kind of hard to defend it.

Mr. Speaker, here are the facts. We added 88,000 jobs last month. Unemployment is down. Foreign direct investment is up at the highest it has been in 20 years, the highest in the G7. We have dropped our fuel excise tax by 10¢ a litre. We increased capital gains eligibility. We have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are making massive investments in housing, infrastructure and defence, and now the trade surplus is up. The member has to get his facts straight.

Mr. Speaker, here is where we have led Canadians on the defence side alone: joint support ships, 3,500 jobs; Arctic and offshore patrol ships, 2,300 jobs; fixed-wing search and rescue, 1,800 jobs; remotely piloted aircraft system, 700 jobs; River class destroyers, 5,250 jobs; logistics vehicle modernization, 1,900 jobs; armoured combat support vehicles, 1,650 jobs. There are tens of thousands of jobs in the defence sector alone. Get on board. Stop running the country down. Help us build it.

Madam Speaker, I have never seen this in my 22 years in the House. I have never heard such good news be disparaged and cast aside, and they continue to run down the Canadian economy. We added 88,000 jobs. Unemployment is down. Foreign direct investment is up. We have dropped the fuel excise tax. We have increased our capital gains exemption. We are making massive investments in housing, in infrastructure and in defence. In short, we have a plan and that plan is working.

Mr. Speaker, what we are listening for is something rational, something thoughtful, something coherent, something comprehensive, maybe even a plan. How about a plan that is a fiscal plan? How about an economic plan? What about an industrial plan? What about a defence and security plan? How about supports and social services for Canadians? All we hear is about driving this country down. It is absolutely ridiculous.

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition has some kind of phony and artificial narrative. I do not know where he is drawing this from. He picks up pieces of information. He tries to weave them together. What is interesting is that he has no plan. He has nothing to say. The last time he had a plan, he told Canadians to go invest in cryptocurrency. For God's sake, let us take a look at where that is at. Why does the Leader of the Opposition not get up and give us a real plan, and instead of running down this incredible country, build this country forward and build it up?

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition should take note of some of the facts. For example, 3,500 jobs annually are being created with our joint support ships contract; 2,300 jobs to produce our AOP ships; 1,800 jobs for our fixed-wing search and rescue; 700 jobs for our remotely piloted aircraft system; and 5,300 direct jobs for our River class destroyers. The list is very long. The Leader of the Opposition should stop running down Canada and join us in our efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I am glad the member for Fort McMurray—Cold Lake rose to ask the question. It is important for her to remind her constituents that we are investing between $3 billion and $4 billion in her riding. We are making massive investments in the base there. She knows so. We also announced a very progressive move to procure the GlobalEye plane with Saab last week, with 3,000 new jobs in Canadian aerospace and defence and 22,000 jobs in Canadian multi-mission aircraft. The list goes on and on. I know the Conservatives do not want to hear it. They are too busy running down this beautiful country.

Mr. Speaker, I have really good news. Today we announced our commitment to procure the GlobalEye, Saab's airborne early warning and control aircraft platform. This investment will open new opportunities for Canadian workers, and it is projected to create 3,000 jobs in the Canadian aerospace and defence sector. This is going to be a key resource for the Canadian Armed Forces to enhance our North American security by detecting and deterring threats across the Arctic and beyond. We are just getting started.

Mr. Speaker, they do not want to hear them, but here are the facts: enhanced recruitment, up 61%, the highest in 30 years; biggest pay raises in a generation; major infrastructure renewal on 33 bases; new rifles, new kit and new uniforms for women; 7,500 new housing units, 800 of which are under construction; serious investments in Arctic offshore patrol ships; P-8 maritime patrol aircraft; 11 new SkyGuardian drones; space-based polar communications; and Arctic over-the-horizon radar. We are just getting started.

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking action to ensure that Canadians can continue to enjoy the iconic nine-plane Snowbird formation for generations to come, and the member knows that. Instead of hyping things up, why does he not work with us? We announced a commitment to procure the CT-157, the Pilatus C-21, that will serve both the future Snowbirds team and pilot training. This new capability will be based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and is expected to be operational by the latest in the early 2030s. We intend to procure these aircraft quickly and we will do so.

Mr. Speaker, what we will not do on this side of the House is take our lead from social media sites. What we will do is work with the Royal Canadian Air Force. We will listen to the experts there. That is exactly what we have done. As the air force advances its air and space modernization efforts, we remain firmly committed to a future air demonstration capability that continues this proud legacy. Canadians across North America can look forward to the Snowbirds' distinctive nine-plane formation for generations to come in an outstanding replacement plane.

Mr. Speaker, needless to say, the premise of the question is frankly stupid. Establishing Canadian sovereign space launch capabilities will drive billions in investments. It is going to create good-paying jobs. It will increase Canada's sovereignty. It will reduce our reliance on the United States. It is going to support a commercial space launch and re-entry industry that could be worth up to $40 billion. That is what we are investing in. These are the essential capabilities that protect Canada and create massive economic benefits for Canadians, coast to coast to coast.

Mr. Speaker, the interesting thing about all this commentary coming from the other side of the floor is this. Every single measure put forward to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces, every single investment in housing, in equipment, in munitions, in our bases, in our housing stock; every single one, including pay increases, was opposed. I am not sure what these people stand for anymore, and it is becoming very apparent to the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, the RCAF's fleet of Tutor aircraft was first introduced in the 1960s. The fleet will reach its end of life in the coming years. The member knows this. The Snowbirds will continue air demonstrations with the Tutor fleet for as long as it is feasible and safe. The member knows that as well. The Snowbirds remain committed to their performances. As we have stated, we are beginning the process of examining potential aircraft options for the Snowbirds' mission once the CT‑114 Tutor fleet reaches its end of life.

Mr. Speaker, I share the member's concerns about the future of the fleet. It is an iconic part of Canadian culture. He and I would agree. However, here is the difference. This member surely cannot be suggesting that he is going to put the pilots, the women and men of that fleet, in harm's way. Have him stand up and make it plain that he intends to have pilots flying planes that should not be flown, which are under mechanical watch today. Have him explain that.

Mr. Speaker, here are the facts. The RCAF's fleet of Tutor aircraft was first introduced in the 1960s. The fleet will reach its end of life in the coming years. The member knows that and he has known that for a long time. The Snowbirds will continue air demonstrations with the Tutor fleet for as long as it is feasible and safe to do so. The Snowbirds remain committed to their performances. The member knows that. We are continuing to carry out our good work.

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. It is going to increase Canada's sovereignty. It is going to reduce our economy's reliance on the United States. It is going to support a commercial space launch and re-entry industry that could be worth up to $40 billion. This is what we are investing in. What I hear on the other side is what I heard from Harper, slash and burn.

Mr. Speaker, once again, establishing Canadian sovereign space launch capabilities would drive billions of dollars in investments. It would create well-paying jobs. It would increase Canada's sovereignty. It would reduce our reliance on the United States. It would support a commercial space launch and re-entry industry that could be worth up to $40 billion. European countries are lining up to work with us. This is what we are investing in. I am not sure what the Conservatives are up to at all.

Mr. Speaker, no matter how hard we try on this side of the House, we could never be nearly as negative as this member. The truth is that the Canadian Armed Forces recruitment has just hit a 30‑year high. Our soldiers, our sailors and our 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 our forces a well-deserved pay raise. We are getting them the tools, the weapons, the equipment and the housing they need. We are getting them through training faster. With the good help of the women and men in uniform, we are just getting started.

Mr. Speaker, every single measure brought before this House, every single measure for the improvement of the Canadian Armed Forces, was blocked by that member and his party. Here is the good news. Recruitment has hit a 30‑year high. These are the facts. In the past year, applications have more than doubled, to over 45,000. The CAF enrolled 7,310 regular force members, surpassing our target, and 70 of the 97 critical roles, as opposed to 18 last year, have now been filled. As I said a moment ago, we are just getting started.

On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, recruitment into the Canadian Armed Forces has just reached its highest level in 30 years. Our soldiers, sailors and airmen do essential and remarkable work, and we need them. That is why we are reinvesting in our personnel. We have given our forces a pay raise, we are providing them with the tools and equipment they need and we are speeding up their training. It is a great day, a great week and a great start for Canada, and this is only the beginning.

Mr. Speaker, we have good news for Canada, good news for the Canadian Armed Forces and good news for the member. Recruitment is at a 30-year high. He knows that, and here are the facts. Over the past year, the number of applicants has more than doubled, to over 45,000. We recruited 7,310 regular force members, surpassing our target. In addition, 70 of the 97 critical roles have been filled. We are just getting started. There is work to be done.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her passionate work behind the bill. Delivering culture change in the Canadian Armed Forces is not only the right thing to do, but it is critical for the operational needs for national security. That is why we introduced Bill C-11. It is to codify in law key recommendations from two comprehensive external reports. I can confirm that we are open to amendment in the Senate to include the sunset clause that would strengthen the bill.

As I mentioned a moment ago, which I will repeat for the member's benefit, Mr. Speaker, this is entirely about trust. It is about trust for the women and men in our armed forces today, for them to know that when it comes to Criminal Code sexual offences, they will be prosecuted and investigated on the outside of the department and the Canadian Armed Forces. In fact, that has been the case since the fall of 2021. The member may not be aware that every new case has been referred to the civilian courts since the fall of 2021. As a result, we are seeing progress, trust is enhanced, and were we to formalize this, it would give us more clarity and certainty.

Mr. Speaker, the member raises an important question. We recognize that the transfer of Criminal Code sexual offence cases from the military justice system to the civilian justice system is a complex process. That is exactly why we are signing memoranda of understanding with the provinces. It is to make sure they have the means to deal with those additional cases. We have already signed a successful memorandum of understanding with the Province of Ontario, and work is ongoing with other provinces.

Mr. Speaker, the member omits to tell the Canadian people watching the debate that as of the fall of 2021, all of these cases have been sent to civilian courts. He cannot have it both ways. There has been important progress and tangible changes since 2021. This is precisely because the interim directive that put Justice Arbour's recommendation five into place in a temporary manner, until such time as legislation could be passed through the House, continues. Work on cultural evolution inside the CAF has continued. We have now implemented 47 of Justice Arbour's 48 recommendations. To block Arbour's recommendation five would be to undo the progress of the past five years. We do not have the intention of doing that. I think the member knows this is the right way to proceed. I put my trust in the work of Madam Justice Arbour, Mr. Justice Fish and, for that matter, the chief of the defence staff.

Mr. Speaker, a large majority of these amendments were ruled out of order by the Speaker of the House of Commons. That is not exactly helpful. In recent years, we have made considerable progress towards bringing about significant and lasting cultural change, notably by working to implement 47 of Justice Arbour's 48 recommendations. This bill proposes transformative measures to transfer the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences allegedly committed in Canada by members of the CAF to the civilian system. This bill also implements Justice Fish's key recommendations aimed at strengthening the military justice system. Now is the right time to move forward.

Mr. Speaker, we have made a decision. We are going to be rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. Inherent in that rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting is the important question of bolstering trust in the military justice system by providing legal clarity, as recommended by Justice Arbour, and by enhancing the independence of key military justice actors, as recommended by former Justice Fish. We are moving forward. The member makes an important point. The Canadian Armed Forces and all the work that we are doing there begins with our people. We need to make sure they can work in a safe, transparent, robust workplace. If there are challenges, members of the armed forces need to know that the legal system that is there to protect them will in fact work.

Mr. Speaker, no, that is not what he meant. What he meant was we would reach 2% of our GDP spending in 10 months. We would get members of our Canadian Armed Forces a significant pay raise in less than six months. We would increase recruitment by 61%, year over over. We would be making billions of dollars of investment in our 33 bases. We would extend our presence in Latvia for three more years, with 3,000 members in a forward operating location. We would announce $40 billion for investments in the Arctic, including for northern operational support hubs. We are moving at breakneck speed. The problem is that, in every one of those cases, the opposition has voted against.

Mr. Speaker, bringing about a cultural shift is not only the right thing to do; it is also essential to meeting our operational needs in the area of national security. This is not at all a partisan issue, and the member knows it. We introduced Bill C-11 to enshrine the main recommendations of Justices Arbour and Fish in the legislation and to restore victims' and survivors' confidence in the armed forces. Justice Arbour's fifth recommendation involves removing the Canadian Armed Forces' jurisdiction over the investigation and prosecution of Criminal Code sexual offences. That is exactly what we have proposed and that is exactly what we we are doing. We hope to have our colleagues' support.

Mr. Speaker, we are taking our lead from Madam Justice Arbour, one of our most distinguished Supreme Court of Canada justices. Here is really what is at stake: Victims and survivors deserve legal clarity, transparency and trust in the process. Justice Arbour herself called a victim's choice between military and civilian courts “a false choice”. This is because we would be placing a burden on a victim in a time of high stress, trauma and in fact duress to choose between two unequal options. Asking victims and survivors to choose between two unequal options, one of which has the potential for chain-of-command interference, in a Criminal Code case does not provide victims with clarity, transparency or certainty.

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat myself in French for my colleague's benefit. Victims and survivors deserve legal clarity, transparency and trust in the process. Justice Arbour herself described a victim's choice between military and civilian courts as a false choice. I want to emphasize the word “false”. Indeed, that would amount to placing a burden on the victim of having to choose between two unequal options, all at a time of stress and trauma. Ultimately, asking victims and survivors to choose between two unequal options, one of which has the potential for chain-of-command interference, in a Criminal Code case does not provide victims with clarity, transparency or certainty.

Mr. Speaker, maybe in conclusion I could remind the member that the chief of the defence staff, in her previous position, spoke to 14,000 individuals. I am not sure where he is deriving his numbers from. As a result of that as well, Madam Justice Arbour actually conducted one of the deepest commissions of inquiry in this whole area. The member knows better than to hurl this kind of invective. It is not like him. As a result of that, I think what we should do is remind ourselves that this is about enhancing trust. That is what Bill C-11 will do and that is why we are moving forward.