I’m in the press gallery in the House of Commons for a Committee of the Whole debate that is focusing on Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor.
The debate began a few minutes ago and could last until 9:30 pm or later tonight. MPs will come and go during this debate.
Who’s here now?
Conservatives: Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor, O’Connor’s Parliamentary Secretary Russ Hiebert, Deputy House Leader Tom Lukiwski, and eleven other Conservative MPs
Liberals: Leader Bill Graham, Defence Critic Ujjal Dosanjh and seven other Liberal MPs.
BQ: Defence Critic Claude Bachand.
NDP: None.
Others: Chief of the Defence Staff Rick Hillier, Deputy Minister Ward Elcock.
The Chair of this meeting is NDP MP Bill Blaikie
Dosanjh led off by asking about re-rolling and troop training.
O’Connor is now delivering his speech.