MINISTER MUST PROVIDE ARMOUR PROTECTION

October 27, 2003

OTTAWA – Jay Hill, Canadian Alliance National Defence Critic, raised serious concerns regarding the procurement program to replace the Iltis utility vehicle during Question Period today. 

“It’s now tragically clear that our Canadian Forces need more protection against a greater level of threat, especially in Afghanistan,” said Jay Hill, MP for Prince George - Peace River.   

“The government has belatedly admitted the need for more armoured utility vehicles, yet the Defence Minister has stated that the anticipated new replacement vehicle for the Iltis will provide no increased protection.  Given this, will he [at least] commit to ensuring these new utility vehicles have enough armour to adequately protect our troops from mines?” asked Hill. 

In the Defence Minister’s response, he made reference to the emergency deployment of 15 additional armoured vehicles, ignoring the serious question at hand.  Hill said, “I wasn’t talking about the current deployment of additional armoured vehicles, but the purchase of 800 Mercedes “G” wagons in three variants, only 118 of which will have armour protection kits and therefore some protection from small mines.”    

“When will this government commit to providing the best protection possible for our troops who go into harm’s way,” Hill concluded.