Discussion · Government Orders
Jeff Kibble Conservative
“I want the government to explain why it counts the Coast Guard as defence spending for NATO. NATO rules say coast guard forces must have military training and equipment to count. My committee confirmed that our Coast Guard does not meet those rules.”
“Mr. Speaker, it has been a hot topic today, about NATO GDP spending, which ties directly into what the DIA says. I wonder if the member opposite could explain how the government can justify supporting the Coast Guard budget under GDP spending, when NATO’s own regulations, right from its website, say that coast guard forces are to be “trained in military tactics, are equipped as a military force, can operate under direct military authority in deployed operations, and can, realistically, be deployed outside national territory in support of a military force.” I have confirmed in committee that our Coast Guard cannot meet those requirements. Can the member justify the government’s use of the Coast Guard as part of NATO GDP spending?”
Mr. Speaker, it has been a hot topic today, about NATO GDP spending, which ties directly into what the DIA says. I wonder if the member opposite could explain how the government can justify supporting the Coast Guard budget under GDP spending, when NATO’s own regulations, right from its website, say that coast guard forces are to be “trained in military tactics, are equipped as a military force, can operate under direct military authority in deployed operations, and can, realistically, be deployed outside national territory in support of a military force.” I have confirmed in committee that our Coast Guard cannot meet those requirements. Can the member justify the government’s use of the Coast Guard as part of NATO GDP spending?