Gord Brown, (Conservative) Leeds-Grenville, follows O’Connor’s opening remarks and speaks about Canada’s reserve forces. The Brockville Rifles, in his riding, “is an outstanding reserve unit.” There are 125 members of the Brockville Rifles, many of them are of high school age. “The Canadian Forces reserver are also an integral part of our forces.” Reservist make up 13 per cent of the department. One of every seven soldiers in Afghanistan is a reservist. Brown asks O’Connor to update the House on reservists.
Gordon O’Connor (Minister of Defence): There are 25,000 reservists in nine separate military organizations. 45 per cent of reserves hold full-time civilian jobs. DND is trying to expand the reserve force to 35,000, as per the Conservatives election commitment. “Reservists are playing an invaluable role in Afghanistan.” 40 per cent of reservists are students.
Claude Bachand: (BQ) St. Jean: (speaking in French) Says he’s not a Liberal, in case you’re watching on TV, though he’s sitting with them. The BQ is not satisifed with the mission in Afghanistan. The BQ asked the Liberals when they began the mission about its purpose. The BQ believed that reconstruction would be a big focus. “But what we have seen is a change in the mandate of the mission. We’re there to seek out and hunt the Taliban. A lot of people feel we’re there only to hunt the Taliban.” Bachand asks O’Connor, how much money has been spent, will be spent, before we get on with other purposes, such as reconstruction and diplomacy.
O’Connor: “The primary purpose of the military in Afghanistan is to support development.” Says more military units have been committed to support reconstruction teams. “The Battle Group is there not only to protect the provincial reconstruction team (PRT), it is there to protect the Afghan aid groups.” Says when he talks to troops, he says the mission is to protect the development mission. “Our focus hasn’t changed. It’s the same mission we inherited.” But he says the level of violence has risen and the Canadian Forces has had to respond.
Bachand: “What the minister appears to be saying is he needs reinforcements to protect the PRT.”
Note: NDP defence critic Dawn Black is now in the House for the debate. Justice Minister Vic Toews has now come into the House for the debate.
This is posted from 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 at about 7 pm and could last until 9:30 pm or later tonight. MPs will come and go during this debate.