Dawn Black (NDP): New Westminster-Port Coquitlam: Who owns the base at Kandahar?
Gordon O’Connor (Minister of Defence): “We pay a proportional share of running the base.” The base is owned by the U.S. and will shortly be transferred to the U.S.
Black: Asks about icebreakers and Arctic sovereignty. What about hovercraft instead of icebreakers? Says the Canadian Coast Guard has experienced some troubles using hovercraft in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in icy conditions.
O’Connor: In our policy, what we have asked is that the Navy be able to operate in three oceans – Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic. Says Navy is looking at the issue and will come back to his office with a recommendation.
Black: Does that mean the governnment is committed to the Arctic sovereignty promise or are they waffling on an election promise.
O’Connor: Says he’s waiting for the Navy to present his government with options to fulfill that promise.
Black: Are U.S. forces stationed in the Arctic?
O’Connor: “To my knowledge, there are no U.S. forces stationed in the North and, to my knowledge, there are no U.S. military sensors operating under water.”
Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale has joined the debate.The BQ’s Claude Bachand has left the House.
[Posted from the press gallery in the House of Commons where defence matters are the subject matter for a “Committee of the Whole” proceeding that began at about 7 pm Ottawa time and could run until well past 9:30 pm.]