Today, The Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, P.C., M.P., the Member for Vancouver South and the Defense Critic for Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, and The Honourable Denis Coderre, P.C., M.P., the Member for Bourassa and the Québec Economic Development Critic for the same, today stated that the Government of Canada needs to ensure that it is being guided by the needs of the Canadian Forces — and not by politics, in its decision to purchase four Boeing C-17 aircraft from the Government of the United States of America.
Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition is concerned that the Government may decide to leave the contracts for the maintenance of these aircraft to the United States of America, which would be a clear departure from a long-term practise of ensuring that such contracts would be delegated to the aerospace industry in Canada.
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Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition is concerned that the Government may decide to leave the contracts for the maintenance of these aircraft to the United States of America, which would be a clear departure from a long-term practise of ensuring that such contracts would be delegated to the aerospace industry in Canada.
I would share the concerns of the Liberal Party of Canada that, perhaps, the Government is attempting to make a quick purchase to make the appearance of concise action for the Forces. I would hope that the Government has consulted General Rick Hillier, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D., the Chief of the Defense Staff of the Canadian Forces, in whether or not these purchases are the most urgent needs of the Forces.[color=red said:The Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh[/color], P.C., M.P.]The Official Opposition believes that the overarching goal behind military procurement should be to provide the best possible equipment for our troops in their current missions. [...] We are extremely concerned that in their hurry, the Government will acquire a fleet that is not a priority for our Forces, will cheat the Canadian aerospace industry out of crucial economic benefits, and will spend $4.5 billion taxpayers' dollars in the process.
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:?: Sources
1. Click here for the Web site of the Liberal Party of Canada.