Jack's Posts

Mr. Jack Harris (St. John's East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, when we asked the government a month ago about a U.S. request to extend our military mission in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said that he was not even aware of it. Now the Secretary General of NATO is making his request publicly.

We know that the Conservatives want to extend this military mission and they are not going to be able to avoid this question for much longer. Are they going to keep our soldiers in Afghanistan after 2014, yes or no?

Mr. Jack Harris (St. John's East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence lashed out at the media because they reported on his mismanagement and confusing figures on Libya.

However, on October 13, 2011 the minister claimed that the “all-up costs” for the Libya mission would be $50 million. On Friday, General Vance was clear. The minister was given the real all-up cost at that time and the general could not explain why the minister used the lower figure.

Mr. Jack Harris (St. John's East, NDP): 

Mr. Speaker, closing down the marine rescue coordination centre in St. John's was not bad enough. An ailing fisherman off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador had his call for help routed to Italy. That is right: Italy, as in Europe.

Mr. Jack Harris (St. John's East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, it is astonishing that the Department of National Defence justified its decision for the F-35 based on this 160-word letter. The letter was produced as justification on the day that it was requested. It mentions the term fifth generation fighter four times in one paragraph to try to convince Public Works that the F-35 is the only plane for Canada. However, the Auditor General notes that the term fifth generation is not even a description of operational requirements. We know it is really just a marketing term.

St. John’s – Newfoundland and Labrador’s two NDP MPs are coming down hard on the latest shot to the province by the Harper Conservatives, cuts to Parks Canada that will impact major tourist attractions.

638 Parks Canada jobs have been declared surplus and 408 people in the Atlantic region are expected to receive affected letters. Services at most National Parks and historic sites will be impacted with reduced hours.