Bryan May

[Questions on the Order Paper, May 31st, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), the current contract for the Canadian Armed Forces, CAF, relocation program was awarded to Brookfield Global Relocation Services, BGRS, on August 25, 2016.

With regard to part (b), BGRS was previously awarded the contract for the relocation program on August 14, 2009.

With regard to parts (c) to (e), the contract was retendered on expiry in a competitive bidding process.

With regard to part (f), National Defence, and not BGRS, approves reimbursement or recovery of all or part of the expenses reasonably incurred that are directly related to the member’s relocation.

Since the start of the current contract on August 25, 2016, there were 3285 instances where funds were recovered by National Defence from CAF members. This total includes recoveries from CAF members who requested and received advances in excess of what they claimed, as well as those who received benefits and then upon additional review had the benefit adjusted or cancelled. Further details on funds recovered prior to this time period would require an extensive manual search of paper records, which could not be completed in the allotted time.

With regard to parts (g) and (h), CAF members typically submit complaints to National Defence when they feel they were denied a financial benefit resulting from a decision or omission within the policy itself and not regarding the process or the file management, i.e., with BGRS. Further information on relevant policies can be found in the Canadian Armed Forces relocation directive at the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/policies-standards/relocation-directive/cafrd.html.

Since August 25, 2016 there have been 73,978 files, i.e., individual moves initiated. Isolating the requested data would require an extensive manual search, which cannot be completed in the allotted time.

Ultimately, National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces recognize the challenges that members and their families face when relocating, and seek to address any grievances in a timely manner.

[Canadian Armed Forces, May 30th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence and the entire defence team are continuing to build a Canadian Armed Forces where every member feels protected, respected and empowered to serve.

The world is taking notice. During my recent visit to Norway, I met with leaders to discuss the strengthening of Arctic nation relations. During our conversations, I learned that the Norwegian Armed Forces are looking to Canada as a model in getting comprehensive culture change across the line.

In December, the minister accepted all 48 recommendations set out in the independent external comprehensive review. Since then, we have expanded the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre’s reach and services, nominated Madame Therrien as external monitor, launched the first phase of the independent legal assistance program and more.

Our top priority is to create a meaningful culture change in the Canadian Armed Forces. Culture change is not just morally right, it is operationally necessary.

[Questions on the Order Paper, May 15th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, National Defence does not have any professional and management services contracts with third party service providers related to the categories in the question above.

National Defence is committed to openness and transparency, and proactively discloses contracts valued over $10,000 publicly on Open Canada. Please see: https://open.canada.ca/en/proactive-disclosure.

[Transportation, May 9th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is committed to supporting public transit, and that commitment is for the long term. That is why we introduced the permanent public transit program to ensure continuing support for projects that will expand urban transit networks, deliver affordable zero-emissions transit options, provide transit solutions for rural communities and offer more active transportation options to Canadians. The program provides $14.9 billion over eight years, including $3 billion per year ongoing, starting in 2026-27. It builds on support already available for transit across the country for existing federal programs.

The Government of Canada's continued investment in transit will help provide options for Canadians. Our investment in public transit is helping to provide an essential service to many Canadians to generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and help Canada meet its climate change targets as we approach 2050.

[Transportation, May 9th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, public transit and active transportation infrastructure enable Canadians to go places, to get to where they need to be, to connect with friends and family, to travel safely to and from work and school and to take family members to their medical appointments. Our government is committed to helping all Canadians make that journey safely, efficiently and affordably.

Since 2015, we have provided over $20 billion in federal funding to support public transit projects in communities across Canada. This is a historic investment for municipalities and provinces; it is creating jobs, making communities more accessible and improving quality of life for Canadians.

To ensure that Canadians continue to have access to efficient transit, the Government of Canada introduced the permanent public transit program. This program will provide federal funding support to projects that deliver expanded urban transit networks, affordable zero-emissions transit options, transit solutions for rural communities and additional active transportation options. The program provides $14.9 billion over eight years, including $3 billion per year ongoing, starting in 2026-27. It builds on support already available for transit across the country from existing federal programs.

In addition, our government continues to leverage other programs to support communities, transit authorities and other groups providing essential services to Canadians in the public transit and active transportation sectors. The five-year $2.75-billion zero-emissions transit fund advances the Government of Canada's commitment to help procure zero-emissions public transit and school buses across the country. The five-year $400-million active transportation fund aims to expand and enhance active transportation networks in communities large and small, as well as to support Canada's national active transportation strategy. The five-year $250-million rural transit solutions fund addresses unique mobility challenges in rural communities through support for the planning and development of locally tailored mobility solutions. To date, the investing in Canada infrastructure program has approved $25 billion for 5,500 projects, including funding to enhance public transit systems through the acquisition of over 4,200 public transit vehicles, such as buses, subway cars and light-rail transit trains.

Budget 2023 reaffirms the Government of Canada's commitment to advancing infrastructure projects across the country. We have worked diligently with our provincial and territorial partners to ensure that the $33.5 billion in funding under the investing in Canada infrastructure program was fully committed by March 31, 2023. With these allocations, we will be continuing to make investments that get results for communities. An update on the program will be provided later this year, including next steps for the permanent public transit fund that will ensure Canadians can get to where they need to be.

[National Defence, May 9th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, upgrading bases and wings is just one way we are supporting our people in uniform. We are also helping military personnel and their families day to day through the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.

The Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services offer a wide range of vital supports, 24-7 mental health services, resources for parents and children, benefits that help with relocation and more. These are available virtually or in-person across the country.

Canada's defence policy of “Strong, Secure, Engaged” makes it clear that our people in uniform are a top priority. Indeed, they are. As we update this defence policy, supporting the physical and mental health of our Canadian Armed Forces will continue to be job number one.

[National Defence, May 9th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the identification of essential staff at Base Petawawa was negotiated with the Union of National Defence Employees and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, in consultation with the Canadian Forces Housing Agency. When strike action temporarily shut down the base's central heating plant, staff at the base moved quickly to ensure additional shower facilities with integral heating were opened up and alternative heating sources were brought in. The Department of National Defence, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and the Union of National Defence Employees also worked together to deem additional staff essential so that the central heating plant could resume operation, which it did.

This also gives me the opportunity to highlight some of the ways we are supporting the members of our Canadian Armed Forces on the bases and wings where so many of them live. Base Petawawa has seen a number of new investments in recent years, investments that are not only improving the daily lives of our military personnel, but enhancing their operational readiness as well. That includes a new $60-million health services centre, which opened up last year. This new facility has improved supports for the physical and mental health of our forces' members at Petawawa. It consolidates medical, dental, physiotherapy and mental health services into one centrally located facility, making it easier for members to access the help they need.

In 2021, we opened a 10-building complex on the base to give the Canadian Special Operations Regiment a dedicated place to train and store equipment. Also that year, the Royal Canadian Dragoons moved into a new, renovated facility that will better meet their operational requirements.

Investments like these are not just happening at Petawawa. They are happening across the country. In March, the Prime Minister announced a $7.3-billion investment to upgrade and build new infrastructure that will house Canada's fleet of F-35 fighter jets, as part of our NORAD modernization plan. This new construction will take place at bases and wings across Canada from Goose Bay to Comox, in the north and especially in Bagotville and Cold Lake.

We also continue to upgrade bases and wings through a series of energy performance contracts. These contracts are retrofitting military facilities to the highest standards of energy-efficient design, while guaranteeing savings over time. We have implemented 13 such contracts since 2015, including at Base Petawawa, which are lowering the military's carbon footprint and contributing to Canada's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

We will continue to ensure our people in uniform have modern facilities in which to live, work and train. They deserve nothing less.

[Questions on the Order Paper, May 8th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), the Almonte Antennae Yard was one of two unattended receiver sites that picked up incoming signals and relayed them through buried land lines to the main receiver inside the Diefenbunker, formerly known by its military designation, Canadian Forces Station, CFS, Carp. The Almonte site was not occupied on a regular basis by National Defence personnel and did not have the services and infrastructure associated with most military sites. It consisted of a single 26-square-metre concrete building and an expansive antennae field. Any garbage generated during routine maintenance was removed, and no hazardous materials were stored at the site. The site ceased operations in 1993.

With regard to part (b), the only chemicals used on the site were pesticides applied to restrict the growth of mixed brush and weeds. In 1991, a total of 40 litres of Spike 80W was applied at the CFS Carp, Almonte and Dunrobin sites, a total of four hectares.

With regard to part (c), soil testing conducted at the other remote receiver site, Dunrobin, and at CFS Carp in the fall of 1994 did not find any detectable pesticide residue. In July 1995, National Defence prepared an Environmental Disclosure Report for the Almonte Antennae Yard, which concluded that “since the Almonte spraying program was done at the same time [as spraying at Dunrobin and CFS Carp], it is logically assumed that no pesticide residue exists within this soil. No further action is necessary”.

With regard to part (d), the provincial public health unit is responsible for investigating and responding to community reports of disease clustering. The provincial public health unit has not raised any related concerns to National Defence.

[Carbon Pricing, April 21st, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, we are of course at the bargaining table and working hard to reach a fair deal. As a result of the ongoing labour action, CFB Petawawa has experienced a disruption in service from its central heating plant. Heating-plant shutdowns may affect those working or living on the base in quarters typically used during training or on a temporary basis. Alternative facilities are being made available for those affected by this disruption.

[National Defence, April 20th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, as we have said, our government is making landmark investments to increase our ability to operate in and defend the Arctic, including announcing a robust $40-billion plan to modernize our continental defence. This is the most significant update to Canadian NORAD capabilities in almost four decades. We awarded a $122-million contract to strengthen the CFS Alert. We are conducting joint exercises in the Arctic, and we have purchased six Arctic offshore patrol ships. We will continue to do more as needed.