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Aerospace Industry

Question period touched on aerospace and defence spending. The Conservatives asked about a $200 million federal investment in a spaceport project in Nova Scotia, saying the facility cost about $70 million to build and is leased to a private company for a small amount, and asked the minister to table the lease agreement and explain who lobbied for and benefits from the project. The Liberals responded by announcing the purchase of GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft, saying it will help protect the Arctic and support about 3,000 Canadian aerospace and defence jobs, and by listing military investments including recruitment levels, pay raises, base renewals, housing and new equipment.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Jacob Mantle

Conservative

Linked statement

“The government is spending $200 million on a spaceport that only costs $70 million to build, while the private company leases it for just $13,000. Why are Canadians paying so much money for this?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, to describe a gullible listener, we used to say, “I have some swampland in Florida for you.” Now, thanks to the Minister of Defence, we can say a Canadian version: “I have a gravel pit in Nova Scotia for you.” At the low cost of just $200 million, the Liberals are trying to build a spaceport. The problem is that the company that is leasing it is paying just $13,000, and construction will cost only $70 million. If the construction is $70 million, and the lease is only $13,000, why are Canadians forking out $200 million?

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“We are buying new early warning planes for the military. This will help protect the Arctic and create 3,000 Canadian jobs.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I have really good news. Today we announced our commitment to procure the GlobalEye, Saab’s airborne early warning and control aircraft platform. This investment will open new opportunities for Canadian workers, and it is projected to create 3,000 jobs in the Canadian aerospace and defence sector. This is going to be a key resource for the Canadian Armed Forces to enhance our North American security by detecting and deterring threats across the Arctic and beyond. We are just getting started.

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Jacob Mantle

Conservative
“I want the minister to show the House the lease agreement. I also want him to explain why Liberal insiders lobbied for it and benefit from it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague begged the Liberals to try to have some respect for this place and answer the questions, but that is the essence of the scam. It is just illusions. The Liberals have figured out how to turn a gravel pit into a money pit. It is more costs and more debt, all on the national credit card. If everything is above board and hunky-dory, as the minister claims, why does he not table in the House the lease agreement and give us the details? While he is at it, maybe he could explain why it is Liberal insiders who lobbied for it and Liberal insiders who would benefit from it. Will the minister come clean today and give us a copy of the agreement?

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“Our government is making major investments in our military. We are recruiting more people, giving troops big pay raises, building new housing, and buying new equipment, planes, and ships.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, they do not want to hear them, but here are the facts: enhanced recruitment, up 61%, the highest in 30 years; biggest pay raises in a generation; major infrastructure renewal on 33 bases; new rifles, new kit and new uniforms for women; 7,500 new housing units, 800 of which are under construction; serious investments in Arctic offshore patrol ships; P-8 maritime patrol aircraft; 11 new SkyGuardian drones; space-based polar communications; and Arctic over-the-horizon radar. We are just getting started.

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