Northern Command

Monday April 29, 2002

 

    Mr. Bill Blaikie (Winnipeg--Transcona, NDP): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister or perhaps the Minister of Foreign Affairs and it has to do with the northern command and the need for the government to make its position clear with respect to this.

    It is not enough for the House to simply know that discussions are going on. We need to know the principles those discussions are based on. If parliamentary process is to be observed, it is imperative for the government to make a statement as to what things it intends to protect in the course of embarking on this practical co-operation with the United States.

    Will the government make that kind of statement here in the House so that we can know what the government thinks about this?

    Hon. Art Eggleton (Minister of National Defence, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated previously, I think there is concern beyond reason in terms of what we are talking about. We are simply looking at the fact that the United States has created a new internal command, internal to its structure. We want to make sure that any relationship we have with the Americans is not prejudiced by it, for example, things such as NORAD. We have been assured of that. If there are any other ways we can work together in terms of practical co-operation, then we are also exploring those possibilities at the same time.

    It is not something that deals with our sovereignty at all. It is not something that involves any deepening or integration of the relationship. It is just practical measures.

    Mr. Bill Blaikie (Winnipeg--Transcona, NDP): Mr. Speaker, if it is a concern beyond reason, then perhaps the Minister of National Defence should come before the House and make a statement as to why that is so instead of just asserting that it is so.

    Clearly there are questions relating to sovereignty, to the ability to maintain an independent foreign policy, et cetera. These are all legitimate concerns. If the minister does not regard them as legitimate concerns, most Canadians do. All they want is an answer instead of being palmed off as if it is not an issue at all when it is.

    Hon. Art Eggleton (Minister of National Defence, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I have made it quite clear that any of these discussions do not relate to the matter of sovereignty or to our foreign policy. We still have control over our foreign policy. We still have control over our troops. The hon. member should know that none of those are at stake.