April 1, 2004

Ottawa - Jay Hill, Senior National Defence Critic for the Official Opposition, will demand today that Minister of National Defence David Pratt explain why the Liberals have left Canada's military so short-funded that, among other deficiencies, patrols of Canada's coastal waters are to be cut and the army has no money to buy ammunition. Minister Pratt is scheduled to appear today before the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs.

"The heads of the army, navy and air force officially submitted reports to Minister Pratt, before the budget, asking for another $635-million just to carry out basic operations in the upcoming fiscal year," said Hill. "What they got instead was a Liberal slap in the face in the form of the 2004 federal budget! All the acknowledgement the Canadian Forces got was $300-million to cover what's already been spent on the Afghanistan and Haiti missions."

"This is primarily about money for the personnel, supplies, activities and maintenance required to run Canada's army, navy and air force and to protect the nation on a normal, everyday basis," stressed Hill. "No money for bullets, navy vessels tied up at port, air craft grounded or flying hours cut, and a troop shortage equal to an entire battalion! Is it the Liberals' defence strategy to starve the life right out of the Canadian Forces?!"

"The Minister had full knowledge of the dire state of the military's finances. Either he wouldn't or he couldn't fight to get the Canadian Forces the money they need to make it through the coming year," stated Hill. "I want to know if the Minister tried to persuade Prime Minister Paul Martin to pay the military's bills for the year. And if he did, why was the PM's answer a flat 'no'? Minister Pratt has a lot to answer for," concluded Hill.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs will hold a televised meeting today from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 237-C Centre Block. As Vice-chair of the committee, Jay Hill will question Minister Pratt, as well as Gen. Raymond R. Henault, Chief of Defence Staff.

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