Supplementary Estimates (A), 2019-20  Madam Chair, I have one last question. This one is about changing the culture within the Canadian Armed Forces. Can the minister tell us what he is doing to change the culture and to make the Canadian Armed Forces more diverse? What are we doing to ensure we no longer tolerate hate against different groups?

Supplementary Estimates (A), 2019-20  Madam Chair, earlier I heard the minister talk about an additional investment of $250 million for our reserve units. One such unit is the North Shore Regiment, which is in my riding. It has an incredible history, including service during the Second World War. I want to ask the minister how the additional $250 million will help our reserve units across the country.

Supplementary Estimates (A), 2019-20  Madam Chair, something else members of the Canadian Armed Forces have been telling me about is post-traumatic stress disorder, which is becoming more common in the Canadian Armed Forces. I know that our government has made it a priority in Canada's defence policy and the various programs it offers.

Supplementary Estimates (A), 2019-20  Madam Chair, in my speech on Canada's defence policy, I spoke about another aspect, the equipment for our men and women. I would like the minister to provide a little more information or an update on the procurement of new Arctic and offshore patrol ships. We have committed to providing the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need to do their job.

Supplementary Estimates (A), 2019-20  Madam Chair, I appreciate this opportunity to talk about an issue of great importance to all MPs and to all Canadians: the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence. I would like to thank the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces for the excellent work they do every day for this country.

Supplementary Estimates (A), 2019-20  Mr. Chair, I thank the minister for his speech. I would also like to thank all the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces for the excellent work they do. Some of my family members are in the Canadian Armed Forces, so I see the extraordinary work they do every day. I know the minister was at the meeting with NATO leaders last week.

Office of the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, a document entitled “2018-19 Annual Report for the Office of the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces”.

Veterans  Madam Speaker, I want to compliment my colleague on his excellent French. We are committed to supporting veterans in long-term care facilities across Canada by keeping them close to home and to their loved ones. We are proud to provide financial support to over 5,000 veterans who are currently receiving care in one of the 1,300 provincial facilities we partner with.

Veterans  Madam Speaker, as I said, since this matter is currently before the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further. I find it very distressing to hear a Conservative member saying that we are not taking care of our veterans when the Conservatives made billions of dollars in cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of National Defence, closed Veterans Affairs offices and laid off staff who processed claims.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, as we have said many times in the House, General Vance and Vice-Admiral Norman recently had a cordial discussion. We will have more information in the coming weeks. With regard to the legal fees, the deputy minister reviewed the policy in place and found that Vice-Admiral Norman's legal fees could be reimbursed, and that is what we will do.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question during tonight's adjournment debate. This is not the first time this topic has come up during the adjournment debate. It is important to reiterate that the charges against Vice-Admiral Norman have been stayed. As the Public Prosecution Service of Canada confirmed, every decision was made independently and no other factors were considered in this decision, nor was there any contact or influence from outside the PPSC, including political influence in either the initial decision to prosecute Mr.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, once again, as the Public Prosecution Service of Canada confirmed this month, based on this month's decision on the charges against Vice-Admiral Norman, all decisions were made independently. No other factors were considered in the decision, nor was there any influence from outside the PPSC, including political influence.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, I will repeat it one more time for my colleague. She knows that committees operate independently of the government. She used to be part of our government, so she knows how our committees operate, compared with how they used to operate under the Harper government. Once again, with respect to the trial of Vice-Admiral Norman, no other factors were considered in this decision, nor was there any outside influence, political or otherwise.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows, committees operate independently from the government and make their decisions based on their deliberations. I know that is hard for opposition members to understand, since they controlled the committees under Mr. Harper's government. With respect to the trial of Vice-Admiral Norman, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada noted that no other factors were considered and that there was no political influence.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, once again, I repeat that the committees operate independently from the government. It is the opposite of the way things were under the Harper government. Canadians can have confidence in our justice system. This month, we supported a motion to recognize Vice-Admiral Norman for his service and to apologize to him and his family.