David McGuinty
Ottawa South, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, our investments in Canada's space capabilities, the member will know, will translate into new jobs, stronger supply chains, greater industrial capacity and a more resilient Canadian economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are acquiring a new fleet of fighter jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The member knows that. We are reviewing all procurement approaches so that they align with the interests of Canadians and the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces.”
“Mr. Speaker, what is weak is the narrative. The Leader of the Opposition knows that his handful of tax changes are not going to contend with the economic challenges we are facing in the United States. They are not going to contend with the Ukrainian war. They are not going to contend with the gulf war.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a good day to answer this question, because, in fact, a year ago today we announced that we would achieve 2% of our GDP expenditures for defence. I remember where the member was at the end of the Harper regime when it was less than 1%. I did not see him fighting then for the money that we needed for our forces.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are going to continue to make thoughtful, systematic and disciplined investments in the Canadian Armed Forces. Applications are up 61% year over year. The number of folks brought into the system is up 13% year over year. We have more women joining.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am not sure where the member has been, but he has not been to any of our 33 bases lately. He is not seeing the investments that are being made there.”
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Every one of 160 lines we hold for David McGuinty, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 4.
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement Between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Concerning the Status of Visiting Forces of Each State in the Territory of the Other State”, done at Manila on November 2, 2025.”
“Mr. Speaker, this week, we announced our purchase of a package of critical military capability under NATO's prioritized Ukraine requirements list, or PURL, in partnership with other NATO allies. Our $200-million contribution to this PURL package will include capabilities that have been specifically identified by Ukraine as its urgent requirements to support its defence against Russia's aggression and war. Make no mistake, Canada will stand with Ukraine until victory.”
“Mr. Speaker, here is what is believable: It is 37,922 jobs through 15 procurement projects across this country and $106.3 billion of investment in our defence sector. The opposition should clamp down on the negativism, help build this country forward, get behind our defence sector and get behind our defence industrial strategy. Let us grow this economy for our people and our future.”
“Mr. Speaker, this summer, we signed a historic agreement to forge a new, ambitious and comprehensive partnership with European countries. Today, the Prime Minister announced the conclusion of negotiations for Canada's participation in SAFE. This will unlock billions of dollars in defence opportunities for our Canadian businesses. It will give our defence industry expanded access to the European market, new reliable suppliers for the Canadian Armed Forces and catalyze massive private investment in Canada. We can compete and we can win. We are the only non-European country able to participate. We are building Canada strong.”
“Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his work and for his advocacy for Atlantic Canadian excellence. This past weekend, we announced Canada's first maritime defence innovation secure hub, or DISH, at COVE in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. This is a brand new, $30-million hub. We will bring together, for the first time, defence and security partners, industry, academia and naval operators to develop, test and transition new maritime technologies. From coast to coast to coast, we are investing millions in building up a resilient innovation industry right here at home.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will repeat the answer. We are in the process of procuring a new fleet of fighter aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. We review all procurement approaches to ensure they are aligned with the interests of Canadians and the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces. We are committed to procuring what the air force needs, while ensuring economic benefits for Canadians. It is that simple.”
“Mr. Speaker, as part of our generational investments in the Canadian Armed Forces, we are procuring a new fleet of fighter aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. We review all procurement approaches responsibly to align with the best interests of Canadians and the needs of the CAF. We are committed to procuring what the Air Force needs, while ensuring economic benefits for Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, in budget 2025, we are investing over $81 billion to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in our Canadian Armed Forces. We are making major investments in our people, with the largest salary increase, up to 20% for CAF members, in a generation. This past weekend, nearly 90,000 CAF members saw their salaries increase. That is what is in our budget: a pay raise for CAF members, support for CAF members, equipment for CAF members and respect for CAF members. Let us get behind our forces.”
“Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 includes generational investments to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces. This budget includes a historic $2 billion to boost pay for nearly 90,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. Low-ranking sailors, soldiers and aviators received a 20% pay raise last Friday. I encourage all members to unite in supporting our armed forces and in building a strong Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 includes generational investments to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces, and it starts with our people. This budget includes a $2-billion historic pay and benefits package, which will impact close to 100,000 forces members and their families. Untrained sailors, privates and aviators are receiving a 20% pay raise. That is what is in our budget. That is what is at stake. All members of the House should come together to support our forces, as they help to build and keep Canada strong.”
“Mr. Speaker, the government recently announced a three-year extension of Operation Reassurance, Canada's largest overseas military mission, with over 2,000 CAF members stationed in Latvia. Is the member seriously suggesting that Canada should not pass a budget that would allow us to give the strongest expression of our commitment to NATO as Canadians reinforce NATO's eastern flank by contributing to collective defence and co-operative security in the region? Canada is leading a 14-nation multinational brigade there. I would suggest that the members opposite join us and support our Canadian Armed Forces.”
“Mr. Speaker, through budget 2025, we are investing over $81 billion over the next five years to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in our Canadian Armed Forces. This is a generational investment in defence infrastructure, capabilities, training and, of course, our incredible personnel. From Halifax to Latvia, when the brave men and women of the CAF answer the call to serve, they know we have their backs, and they know it is time to build Canada strong.”
“Mr. Speaker, I sleep very well at night because of the incredible women and men in the Canadian Armed Forces. That is whom I count on. We are rearming, we are rebuilding and we are reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. The member knows this. When it comes to CAF housing, we are looking at new solutions through private sector partnerships to give our forces a safe and affordable place to call home. Last week, for the first time in history, we acquired a brand new, privately developed 37-unit apartment complex located near CFB Esquimalt, in five weeks. This is just one of the ways we are accelerating processes—”
“Mr. Speaker, we thank the Auditor General for her work. As we rebuild, rearm and reinvest in Canada's military, we are making changes to our recruitment processes to get more people in the door, and faster. We have modernized our recruitment process by introducing a probationary period, streamlining the security clearance process, updating the aptitude test requirements and changing medical standards. We have also given our forces a very well-deserved pay increase. Recruitment has reached a 10-year high, but there is more to do.”
“Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague and thank him for his question. In fact, we are moving fast to meet the needs of our armed forces. We just announced the creation of the new defence investment agency to speed up the procurement, and today we are debating Bill C‑11 , which seeks to modernize the military justice system to better support our forces. On this side of the House, when the issue is as serious as national defence, we act quickly.”
“Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of meeting Sandra a few days ago at the National Arts Centre. What a film, what a story, what a woman, and what an inspiring person. She really helped iron out the details of this bill. We hope that Sandra's voice, along with many others, will be heard and listened to in committee. If there is progress to be made and improvements to be made, we are here to listen. [ English ] For my colleague who asked a question a moment ago, I just checked my notes, and, yes, rape kits will be available both here and abroad.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the reminder. I should have reminded members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are watching that the pay increase is coming, of course, and it is predicated on years of service, as well as annual bonuses and retention bonuses for instructors and beyond. We are very pleased to be able to offer the most significant pay and pay package increase in a generation. We hope it will help with retention and recruitment. I think we are seeing it in the early numbers, as I mentioned in my speech. The member raises some very important questions around the capacity of our military police overseas in particular, in theatre or on ships, for example. That is a very good question that I will take back. I will look into the question of rape kits and endeavour to get back to her with more detail.”
“Our plan is to have those done by the end of the current calendar year. We are moving forthwith. We could certainly use the support of all members of the House to have the bill move through the House with speedy passage.”
“Mr. Speaker, the bill would catch both Canadian Armed Forces members and civilian employees at the Department of National Defence. It is important also for us to recall that recommendation 5 under Madam Justice Arbour's incredibly comprehensive work is the only recommendation that actually requires legislative change, which is why it finds itself in Bill C-11 . That is why we have moved so quickly in implementing so many of the other recommendations. Recommendation 5 is the important recommendation that requires statutory change, as are a series of Mr. Justice Fish's recommendations when it comes to military justice actors. We are looking forward to formally making those changes, but it is also important to remember that we are well down the path of implementing all 48 recommendations. We have more to do.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague is absolutely right. Now we must listen. I look forward to seeing what will happen in committee, and I would like to hear the personal stories of these witnesses. We are more than willing to see if we can improve the bill. There is work to be done. Today, we are focused on the future and implementing change. I agree that it has taken too long. This bill was introduced in March 2024, and then there was an election. This is the third time the bill has been introduced in the House, and we hope to pass it as quickly as possible.”
“I think we should really rely on the trust and the judgment of those two independent thinkers and, for that matter, of the victims groups that have spoken very clearly about this.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think it is important for members of the House to trust a few things. The first thing they should trust is the incredibly important, probative and complete work done by Mr. Justice Fish and Madam Justice Arbour, and their recommendations for improvement. The second thing they should trust is the judgment that has been exercised through the commissions of inquiry, which basically indicate that we need to take the question of Criminal Code sexual offences out of the situation where they are located now, which is inside the Canadian Armed Forces and subject to CAF investigation and CAF prosecution, and put them into the police of local jurisdiction. This is something that has received widespread support, including from all sides of the House, with the previous bill that my colleague mentioned.”
“As the House begins debate at second reading of the important piece of legislation before us, I will close by saying this: The time has come for Bill C-11 to be moved swiftly through the House to committee, where it can undergo thorough study and perhaps, with the good will and good faith of all members on all sides of the House, be passed forthwith.”
“[ English ] By offering this timely, independent and trauma-informed support, the program plays a critical role in expanding access to justice and choice for affected persons. This is all in line with Madam Justice Arbour's recommendation 14 of the independent external comprehensive review. The work I have outlined today is comprehensive and meaningful. We believe, and I think all sides of the House would agree, that it is important. We are taking decisive steps to rebuild and reinforce trust within the Canadian Armed Forces and confidence in our military justice system.”
“The sexual misconduct support and resource centre also runs a grant program to fund community-based programs to broaden the range of support services available to the wider defence community, and it offers peer support programs in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada. [ Translation ] I would also like to mention that the independent legal assistance program is another valuable support mechanism for victims. It provides free and confidential legal assistance, including legal information and advice on incidents of sexual misconduct in contexts involving the Department of National Defence or the Canadian Armed Forces. It also provides legal representation for certain proceedings involving criminal offences of a sexual nature, service offences, victim safety and victim participation in the judicial process.”
“Much of that work comes from the sexual misconduct support and resource centre. [ Translation ] This centre, which operates independently of the chain of command, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. It delivers expert advice, guidance and recommendations to armed forces and national defence personnel on all matters related to sexual misconduct. Among other things, it operates a 24-7 helpline offering confidential support to personnel, information about the options available, advice on helping others and referrals to care and services. (1115) [ English ] It also runs the response and support coordination program to provide individuals who have experienced sexual misconduct in a DND or CAF environment with a dedicated civilian counsellor who can help access health services, prepare for police interviews and more.”
“We know culture change is incremental, we know it is a step-by-step process that takes time, and we know it requires a sustained and continuous effort, but we also know it is absolutely essential to the well-being and operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces. [ Translation ] We will continue to listen to members of the defence team, external stakeholders, communities and partners. We will continue to learn from them as we strive to create a safer and more inclusive work environment. We are making real and tangible progress, but we know that there is still a lot more work to be done. [ English ] While we work to modernize our military justice system and change our culture, we also need to ensure that people affected by sexual misconduct get the support, the care and the resources they need.”
“This work encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, such as developing programs and policies to address systemic misconduct, improving mechanisms for tracking and reporting misconduct and overseeing the creation of a framework for professional conduct and culture that combats discrimination, harmful behaviour, prejudice and systemic barriers. [ English ] To support these efforts, as we reaffirmed in budget 2024, we are investing nearly $1 billion over 20 years to support the changes to the Canadian Armed Forces, and we are introducing amendments to the National Defence Act to deliver key recommendations to advance culture change. Last year, we also launched a comprehensive implementation plan to guide efforts to address the various recommendations we have received.”
“Madame Therrien's thorough and objective assessment of our progress has been critical in informing how we are implementing these recommendations, and we thank her for her commitment, her good guidance and her dedication. [ Translation ] In April 2021, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces launched a comprehensive initiative to align defence culture and the professional conduct of its staff with the fundamental values and ethical principles that we, as a national institution, aspire to uphold. Since then, we have taken significant steps to shift our culture and bring about meaningful change, including taking action to eliminate systemic racism and discrimination.”
“[ English ] As many members know, the external monitor, Madame Jocelyne Therrien, provides regular public evaluations of our progress in implementing these recommendations, including by releasing biannual status reports. [ Translation ] She published her fifth progress report in early July. In that report, she highlights the sincere desire to improve working conditions for DND team members across our organization, as well as the concrete progress we have made, particularly with regard to integrating new recruits and promoting current staff to management positions. [ English ] Her final and sixth report is expected in the coming weeks.”
“The CAF has also adopted the Canada Labour Code definitions of “harassment” and “violence”. This change has made it so that the defence team has one single approach for dealing with harassment and violence in the workplace, applicable to both DND public service employees and CAF members. All incidents of harassment and violence on the defence team will be managed by the workplace harassment and violence prevention program. This addressed Madame Arbour's third recommendation. (1110) [ Translation ] We have also acted on recommendations 7 and 9 of Justice Arbour's report by allowing members of the CAF who experience sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, sexual offences or any other form of discrimination based on sex or gender in the performance of their duties to apply directly to the Canadian Human Rights Commission.”
“In the independent external comprehensive review, Justice Arbour detailed 48 recommendations on everything from recruitment to training to oversight. [ Translation ] As of July, DND had successfully implemented 36 of these recommendations, and we expect that the remaining 12 will be implemented by the end of the year, although some will take much longer than others to fully implement. [ English ] We are making progress on Madame Arbour's first and second recommendations, strengthening our approach to addressing sexual misconduct by clarifying the full spectrum of terms and definitions into three categories: conduct deficiencies of a sexual nature, sexual harassment and sexual assault. This will ensure that we are better able to address each form of inappropriate conduct through the proper legal, administrative and disciplinary means.”
“We need to ensure that our military better reflects the country it serves, drawing from the very best people Canada has to offer. We are starting to see our recruitment efforts pay off. Last fiscal year, we surpassed our recruitment goals, bringing in over 6,700 new regular force members. That is a 55% increase from the year before, but we still have work to do to build a culture that is truly rooted in dignity, inclusion and respect for everyone who serves. We know we need to keep our foot on the gas and remain laser-focused on creating lasting change. As I previously mentioned, Bill C-11 would fulfill several recommendations put forward in the reviews conducted by former Supreme Court justices Arbour and Fish. We are also making important progress on many of their other recommendations to aid in our broader culture change efforts.”
“These comprehensive recommendations that aim to reform our military justice system are only one part of a broader transformation of this institution. Among other things, we are making critical changes to how we screen new recruits, how we manage Canada's two military colleges and how we collect, retain and use data on workplace harassment. [ English ] For example, we have instituted a probationary period for new recruits, which allows applicants to enrol and begin their training while the administrative work related to their application file is completed. During this probationary period, applicants must pass the required security clearance check, meet medical standards and show that they live by the CAF's ethics and values.”
“We are also modifying the process and authority for the appointment of the Canadian Forces provost marshal, appointed by the Governor in Council, and, finally, changing the title from Canadian Forces provost marshal to provost marshal general to align with the title of other senior designations in the CAF, such as the surgeon general, the chaplain general and the judge advocate general. Third, Bill C-11 builds on supports provided under the Declaration of Victims Rights by expanding access to victim liaison officers to individuals acting on behalf of a victim. (1105) [ Translation ] Fourth, the bill harmonizes the military justice system's offender information and publication ban provisions with the amendments already made to the Criminal Code in 2023.”
“With this bill, civilian authorities would have the exclusive responsibility to investigate and prosecute these offences. Second, Bill C-11 would act on eight key recommendations outlined by former Supreme Court justice Fish in his third independent review. This includes establishing stronger, more transparent appointment processes for senior CAF members who play crucial roles in the military justice system. We are modifying the appointment process and the tenure for the director of military prosecutions and the director of defence counsel services by, first, making them Governor in Council appointees and by, second, changing the director of military prosecutions and the director of defence counsel services' terms to a fixed non-renewable term of up to seven years.”
“Eradicating these behaviours is essential to our operational effectiveness, to recruitment and to retention, and above all, it is the right thing to do. Through Bill C-11 , we are proposing a range of important changes to the National Defence Act, which are designed to support this essential work. Canada's military justice system must not only reflect the values of fairness, accountability and respect, but also uphold the trust Canadians place in the institutions that serve them. Through Bill C-11, we would fulfill the recommendations of former Supreme Court justices Arbour and Fish, and we are taking decisive steps to rebuild and reinforce trust within the Canadian Armed Forces. First, this bill would remove CAF jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada.”
“[ Translation ] The people of the Canadian Armed Forces are central to our activities, whether they defend our sovereignty at home, support our allies abroad or serve in wings and bases across Canada. Since taking on this role earlier this year, I have had the great privilege of meeting with hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces members across the country and abroad. [ English ] They are among the finest individuals one could meet, and as I am sure all parliamentarians are, I am deeply grateful for their steadfast dedication to Canada and Canadians. It is our responsibility to foster an environment where they feel protected, respected and empowered to serve, free from all behaviours that harm our people, threaten morale and undermine team cohesion, including the reprehensible act of sexual misconduct.”
“moved that Bill C-11, An Act to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts , be read the second time and referred to a committee. Bill C-11. Second reading He said: Mr. Speaker, I would like to say good morning to colleagues and to the Canadians who are watching today's debate. I am pleased to rise to open second reading debate on Bill C-11 , the military justice system modernization act. As Canada's new government makes a generational investment in the Canadian Armed Forces, we know that any work to support our forces starts with our people. Simply put, this legislation is about the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces, and it is about ensuring their safety.”
“Bill C-11. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill C-11, An Act to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts . (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)”
“Mr. Speaker, we know that our partners want to see Canada play a much bigger role on the international stage. Yesterday, we signed a new agreement with Indonesia to enhance the participation of the Canadian Armed Forces in military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. This agreement will also benefit Canadian industry and create jobs. Thanks to this new agreement, we will see more of the Canadian Armed Forces at their best in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“Mr. Speaker, first of all, this is a Crown corporation in British Columbia. The federal government is investing massively in shipbuilding across the country. We are building ships in Quebec. We are building ships in Halifax. We are building ships in Vancouver. Irving Shipbuilding alone, in Halifax, employs 2,400 workers with 10,000 additional jobs created across the country in its supply chain. We are serious about rebuilding Canada's shipbuilding capacity. We are in the middle of it. We are building six Arctic and offshore patrol ships, 15 Canadian surface combatants and two joint support ships. We are getting the work done.”
“Mr. Speaker, we know that our forces and their families face challenges as they move across the country from posting to posting. That is why, this summer, we gave our forces a well-deserved and overdue pay raise. Our $2-billion compensation package is the largest in a generation. It means that untrained sailors, aviators and soldiers will receive a 20% pay raise. As the brave women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces answer the call to serve, they need to know we have their backs.”
“Mr. Speaker, last week the Prime Minister announced a $9.3-billion investment in Canada's defence, which means we will achieve NATO's 2% target this fiscal year. This is not only an investment in our armed forces, but also an investment in good-paying jobs, in Canadian innovation and in economic growth, and the member knows this. Our generational investment is strengthening Canada's role as a strong, reliable international partner in NATO while rebuilding and rearming our terrific Canadian Armed Forces right here at home.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister announced $4.5 billion yesterday for our efforts in Ukraine. We have committed to reducing overall government spending by more than $15 billion while ensuring the services and supports that Canadians rely on are there. We have exceptional expert staff dedicated to meeting our priorities, but we also sometimes rely on outside expertise, and the member knows this, but we are committed to doing so in a transparent and fiscally responsible way. Any potential reductions in spending are being considered carefully, and minimizing the impact on military readiness is the driving force behind each decision.”
“Mr. Speaker, here are the facts. In the last decade, we have tripled our defence spending. We are investing $72 billion through our defence policy update, $40 billion through NORAD modernization and $11 billion to train our next generation of aviators. We are procuring 200 new aircraft, 12 submarines, six Arctic and offshore patrol ships, two joint support ships and so much more. Now more than ever, it is time to support and equip our forces with what they need to meet the challenges we face.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Burnaby Central for his dedication. Canada's support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal and unjustified war remains steadfast. Earlier today at the G7 summit, the Prime Minister announced $2 billion in new military support to aid Ukraine in its time of need. This includes funding for drones, for ammunition and for armoured vehicles. We are also providing over $2.3 billion to help Ukraine rebuild its infrastructure and its public systems. Make no mistake: Canada will stand with Ukraine until victory.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Mont-Saint-Bruno—L'Acadie for his hard work. Our government has just presented a plan for the reconstruction, re-equipment and reinvestment in the Canadian Armed Forces. The Prime Minister announced a generational investment of more than $9 billion, which means that we will meet NATO's spending target of 2% of GDP this year. When it comes to an issue as important as Canada's defence and security, Canadians can trust their new government.”
“Mr. Speaker, for 75 years, our government has been an essential partner in strengthening NORAD, the only binational command in the world. We know that we live in a more dangerous world. That is why this new government has undertaken a wide array of discussions with the United States about a new security and economic relationship that would benefit both of our sovereign nations. For example, the Prime Minister recently made a $6-billion new investment in an Arctic over-the-horizon radar system. We are actively strengthening Canada's presence in the continent, and we will build our country's national defence capabilities of all kinds.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, we thank the Auditor General for her work. In a procurement project such as this, it is normal for costs to change over time, especially given the challenges posed by the pandemic and inflation. The member knows that. National Defence is closely monitoring costs and working hand in hand with the industry to ensure value for money for Canadians. We are making the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in over 30 years.”