National Defence [Table of Contents] Ms. Joyce Murray (Vancouver Quadra, Lib.): Madam Speaker, lots of smug talk about fiscal balance, but we have just learned that the Prime Minister has overruled his own Minister of National Defence and is forcing National Defence to repaint a VIP government aircraft because he does not like its colour. The current fleet of aircraft are painted military grey because they are used in critical military operations. The Prime Minister's vanity paint job will make the plane unsafe for those very military operations. Why is the Prime Minister putting his own vanity above the needs of the military? [Table of Contents] Mr. Chris Alexander (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, CPC): Madam Speaker, apart from being a complete non sequitur with the member's first question, the accusation made is completely unfounded. These changes would only happen in accordance with the regular maintenance cycle of National Defence and if they are cost neutral. These aircraft are repainted every six years and there is no current plan to change the paint scheme for any airbus aircraft. *
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19-11-2011 07:39
Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 049 (Official Version)
[ Table of Contents] The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): Order, the time has expired for this particular round. Resuming debate. The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence is rising on a point of order. [ Table of Contents] Mr. Chris Alexander: Mr. Speaker, a few minutes ago in question period I said in this House, in reply to a member's question, that there was no plan to change the colour scheme on any of the airbus aircraft that the government possesses. I would like to be perfectly clear that there has been no decision in that regard and to ensure that the record reflects that additional clarification. [ Table of Contents] The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): I thank the hon. parliamentary secretary for his intervention. I am sure that the House appreciates the clarification. The member for Malpeque is rising on the same point? [ Table of Contents] Hon. Wayne Easter: Mr. Speaker, I am trying to figure out what the parliamentary secretary is saying. Is there a plan or is there not a plan to paint the Prime Minister's aircraft in the colours that the Prime Minister wants, at great cost? Is there or is there not? [ Table of Contents] The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): We have heard the parliamentary secretary's clarification to an earlier part of debate today. Other points on this I am sure are really just a matter of debate. We are not going to redo question period.
