June 4, 2020 – Appearance by the Minister of National Defence

Order Paper Questions

Question: Why is the Government refusing to respond to written questions from Members of Parliament? 

• National Defence remains fully committed to openness, transparency, and meeting its accountabilities to Parliament.
• Since January, National Defence has responded to 104 Order Paper Questions.
• Due to the current situation, National Defence was not in position to provide comprehensive responses to 17 questions, in May, in the allotted time.
• The Department will table revised answers when the adequate resources are available.
• We remain committed to providing the information required by Parliamentarians.

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Snowbirds aircraft accident

Question: Can the Minister of National Defence provide an update on the circumstances of the Snowbirds aircraft accident in the vicinity of Kamloops, BC?

• The loss of any member of the Canadian Armed Forces is devastating to our military community.
• I offer my sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Captain Casey
• The Canadian Armed Forces is conducting a flight safety investigation into the circumstances surrounding this accident.
• We released a preliminary report.
• It indicates the areas of focus for the ongoing investigation.
• We will continue to do everything we can to ensure the safety of all military members and ensure that accidents like this do not happen again.

If Pressed On The Life-extension Of The Tutor Fleet

• We will continue to provide Canadian Armed Forces members with the equipment they need to do their jobs.
• We are currently examining options for the full life-extension of the Tutor fleet until 2030.
• The results of the flight safety investigation may inform our decision making in this matter.

Quick Facts

• Accident: On May 17, 2020, shortly after take-off from the Kamloops Airport, a CT-114 Tutor Snowbird crashed in a residential area near the airfield. The aircraft crashed into a home however occupants were not reported to have suffered any injuries.
• Lost and injured Canadian Armed Forces members:
  
  • Captain Jennifer Casey, Public Affairs Officer for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, 431 Demonstration Squadron lost her life in the accident.
  • Captain Richard MacDougall, one of the Coordinators for the flight team sustained non-life threatening injuries in the accident and is recovering in Moose Jaw.
• Investigation: On June 1, 2020, the Department of National Defence’s Airworthiness Investigative Authority issued a preliminary From the Investigator report. The report is a brief summary of the circumstances and factual information known at this time.
• Implications for Op INSPIRATION: Further demonstrations of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are postponed indefinitely.
• Implications for the CT-114 Tutor Fleet: As a result of the accident, the CT-114 Tutor fleet has been placed on operational pause.

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Royal Canadian Air Force, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel).

June 2, 2020

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Parliamentary Budget Officer

Question: Why is the Government refusing to respond to requests for information from the Parliamentary Budget Officer?

• National Defence remains fully committed to openness, transparency, and meeting its accountabilities to Parliament.
• We work diligently to provide the PBO with the information and data that best meets its information needs.
• In support of its analysis during the pandemic, National Defence provided PBO with information for its report on the employment of Reservists.
• The updates on Strong, Secure, Engaged capital project requested by PBO have not yet been finalized.
• We remain committed to providing the Parliamentary Budget Officer with updated information as soon as it becomes available.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy).

June 3, 2020

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Canadian Armed Forces Assistance To Long Term Care Facilities

Question: When will the Government provide military members deployed in long term care homes with the equipment they need, and the hazard pay they deserve?

• The Canadian Armed Forces always stand ready to assist communities across Canada.
• Military members are currently assisting vulnerable populations in Long Term Care Facilities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec and Ontario.
• We recognize that COVID-19 poses unique hazards for Canadian Armed Forces personnel operating in these facilities.
• The Canadian Armed Forces ensures its personnel are properly trained and equipped.
• This is why we defined Operation LASER, including the assistance military personnel are providing in these facilities, as a Special Duty Operation.
•  The Chief of the Defence Staff has also tasked his staff to pursue hazard allowance for members directly engaged inside these facilities.
• That work is ongoing now.
• We will continue to support Canadian Armed Forces members as they provide assistance to communities across Canada.

If Pressed On Requested Continued Assistance To LTCF In Quebec

• Every day, military personnel risk their own health and safety to protect vulnerable Canadians.
• Following advice from the Surgeon General, military personnel are applying all protocols to mitigate the hazards associated with COVID-19.
• The Canadian Armed Forces ensures its personnel are properly trained and equipped to provide assistance in Long Term Care Facilities.
• The Surgeon General has developed a testing strategy that meets Provincial and Federal testing guidelines.
• Since COVID-19 began, the CAF has been seeking an integral testing capacity that is now in place. The CDS will issue testing priorities for the force with advice from the Surgeon General.
• Processes are in place to remove any ill military personnel from the facilities and to provide them with appropriate medical attention.
• The Canadian Armed Forces continues to build best practices and to seek ways to further mitigate risks.

If Pressed On Cases Of Covid-19 Among CAF Members

• The Canadian Armed Forces are working diligently to assist vulnerable populations in Long Term Care Facilities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
• Following advice from the Surgeon General, military personnel are applying all protocols to mitigate the hazards associated with COVID-19.
• We recognize that COVID-19 poses unique hazards for Canadian Armed Forces personnel operating in these facilities.
• This is why the Chief of the Defence Staff has tasked his staff to pursue hazard allowance for members directly engaged inside these facilities.
• We will continue to support our troops as they provide assistance to communities across Canada.

Quick Facts

Location of CAF Assistance in LTCF

• Quebec: CAF personnel assisting in eighteen facilities in and around Montreal.
  • 17 facilities on the island of Montreal
  • 1 facility in Longueil
  • 1 facilities in Saint-Lambert
  • 1 facilities in Laval
  • 1 facility in L'île-Bizard
• Ontario: CAF personnel assisting in five facilities in and around Toronto.
  • 1 facility in Scarborough
  • 1 facility in Pickering
  • 1 facility in Etobicoke
  • 2 facility in North York

COVID-19 cases within the CAF population providing support in LTCF

• Total: 42 cases as of June 3, 2020
  • 25 Tested Positive in Quebec
  • 15 Tested Positive in Ontario

Responsible Principals: Canadian Joint Operations Command, Strategic Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy).

June 4, 2020

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