In the House of Commons, I paid tribute to RMC Canada CMR Officer Cadets Jack Hogarth, Andrei Honciu, Broden Murphy & Andrés Salek who tragically lost their lives last Friday. My deepest condolences & sympathies to all the families & friends. #RiP #TDV #LestWeForget RMC - Class of 97 "Early Friday morning, four Cadets at the Royal Military College (RMC) died in a tragic accident when the vehicle they were in entered the water off Point Frederick. Fourth-year Officer Cadets (OCdts) Jack Hogarth, Andrei Honciu, Broden Murphy and Andrés Salek all voluntarily joined the Canadian Armed Forces understanding they may be required to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to Canada. Losing a member of the Canadian Armed Forces is never easy to accept for family and friends but losing someone in an accident just a few short weeks from graduation is even that much harder. Mr Speaker, I don’t know the personal details of all four cadets; however, Officer Cadet Broden Murphy was the son of a fellow Class of 97 classmate, Major Dave Murphy and his wife Stephanie. I can’t imagine the pain and loss they and all the families are currently feeling. On behalf of all Members of the House, I offer Dave, Stephanie, and all the families and friends of Jack, Andrei, Broden, & Andrés my deepest condolences and sympathies. I ask all members and all Canadians to keep them all in their thoughts and prayers. Truth, Duty, Valour. Lest We Forget."

Got the opportunity today in the Parliament of Canada to thank MPP "Energizer Billy" Bill Walker for his service to #BruceGreyOwenSound over the past 11 years. Wishing him, Michaela, Zach & Ben all the best into the future

Conservative motion: That, given that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance has made an immeasurable contribution to peace, security, and prosperity for all its members, the House call on the government to increase spending on national defence to at least two per cent of Canada's gross domestic product, in accordance with NATO's 2014 Wales Summit Declaration. My speech laying out the Why based on current global threats along with our international obligation, then the How this can be done through predictable funding, fixing defence procurement, investing in our Canadian Armed Forces personnel, investing in key capabilities and ultimately via updated non/bi-partisan foreign and defence policies. The world needs a Canada that maintains its position as a trusted global security partner and a reliable member of NATO. Without increasing our military spending the government puts this risk. Meeting our NATO commitment of spending 2% of GDP today and into the future is essential.

On 22 March 2022, I asked Minister Joly the following question: "Mr. Speaker, I and many other combat veterans were disappointed to hear the Minister of Foreign Affairs state that Canada 'is not a military power.' I have led some of Canada's finest warriors in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. I would like to educate the minister that Canada's success in 'making sure that diplomacy is happening' during global conflicts is predicated by our ability to back it up militarily. I am doubtful the minister will apologize, but will she acknowledge that Canadian Armed Forces personnel are among the best in the world and that Canada is a military power?" Minister Joly's response: "Mr. Speaker, obviously we support our men and women in uniform. That is exactly why I had the chance to go to Ukraine to meet with them through Operation Unifier, as well as in Latvia. At the same time, I find it a bit rich on the part of the Conservatives, as they reduced their military spending below 1% when they were in government, which was the lowest in 60 years. Of course, it will be a pleasure to work with my colleague, because the question of Ukraine is not a partisan question. It is a question that should unite us while people are—" Following this interaction in the Chamber, I sent the Minister a note and talked to her in the lobby afterwards. Where I simply asked her to listen to the question and if the question isn't partisan don't make it partisan to throw her staff prepared talking points in the garbage. I reiterated that all I was asking was for her public acknowledgment in the House of Commons that our Canadian Armed Forces personnel are amongst the best in world and that Canada is a military power. I then immediately filed with the Clerks a request for adjournment proceedings on this question with the Minister which I was granted a spot on 31 March. This video is off the subsequent intervention...watch for her response....

Recognizing #AgnesMacphail, the first woman elected to the House of Commons just over 100 yrs ago, and all women leaders including the inspirational young women who participated in the 76th Annual Grey County Federation of Agriculture (https://www.greyfederation.ca/) Public Speaking Contest on Agnes Macphail Day (March 24th). #BruceGreyOwenSound

Host David Shearman speaks Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff.