March 28, 2008
Kingston Ontario
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Good afternoon
MGen Gosselin, [Comd CDA]
B Gen Lawson, [RMC Cmdt]
Chief Maracle, [Chief, M Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory]
Ladies and Gentlemen,
9 Squadron and Otter Squadron Cadets,
I am honoured to have the opportunity today to address you.
During the past seven months that I hav e served as Minister of National Defence, I have become increasingly impressed by the professionalism and excellence demonstrated by our men and women in uniform.
Today is no exception.
I am inspired by the well-turned out young men and w omen whom I see on parade today.
Your pride in your school and your country is obvious in both your dress and deportment.
You are a credit to the history of this venerable institution.
From Archibald Macdonnell and Henry Burstall, who valiantly commanded Second Canadian Division on Vimy Ridge and at Passchendaele during the First World War, to astronauts like Marc Garneau and Chris Hadfield and heroes like Nicola Goddard, RMC graduates have earned distinction throughout Canada's history.
And their torch will be passed to you.
You and your fellow officer-cadets have profited from a learning experience unique in Canada.
This college will give you a comprehensive education that will prepare you for a future based on service and achievements.
All of which makes today's ceremony, the inauguration of Fort Brant - your Fort Brant - an even more extraordinary event for all of us.
The opening of this dormitory is an import ant step in ensuring quality accommodations and, by extension, the best possible learning environment for RMC cadets.
Fort Brant provides a modern residence for the cadets of Nine Squadron and an on-campus home-away-from-home for Otter Squadron.
However, it does more than that; it honours two Canadian heroes.
And I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the two incredible people who have lent their names to this building.
Molly and Joseph Brant, as members of the Mohawk Nation, were key to the Loyalist defence during the American Revolution.
Joseph Brant commanded a force of warriors from the Six Nations Iroquois confederacy and Loyalists and was an important leader on the northern frontier.
Molly Br ant distinguished herself as a matriarch of the Mohawk Nation. She brought aid to Loyalist and British forces during the Revolutionary War and was indispensable to maintaining the alliance between the Mohawks, and others of the Six Nations, with the Crow n.
Their work was selfless and their efforts valiant.
These siblings were a key link to the Mohawk people for the British. They bridged a cultural divide and set an example that we can still learn from today in our efforts to be more in clusive of the many cultures in our country.
More importantly, the Brants demonstrated through their bravery, their actions, and their sacrifices the true meaning of commitment - the true meaning of leadership.
Molly and Joseph Brant helped shape the Canada of today in the same manner that the young men and women who will call Fort Brant their home will shape the Canada of tomorrow.
Number six Brant Squadron has been an important part of RMC for decades.
And it is no wonder that, for over 40 years, the Brant name has been revered on this campus.
As you continue your studies and your future careers, keep the Brants and their experiences in mind. Aspire to the qualities of leadership that they both demonst rated.
In the coming years we will ask a lot of you.
You are our leaders of the future. You are the young men and women who will take us forward into the 21st Century.
And I have every confidence in you.
I spent last Christmas in Afghanistan.
I was privileged to share Christmas dinner with young men and women much like you.
They were far from home, conditions were harsh and they were facing danger on a regular basis.
Yet, they po ssessed an infectious enthusiasm for their jobs and the contribution they were making on behalf of all Canadians.
When I have the opportunity to meet young Canadians like them, like you, I know that our nation is in good hands.
You will m aintain the security of Canadians by carrying out search and rescue missions.
You will help protect Canadians at home by working with our domestic partners.
And you will defend North America in partnership with our American allies.
You will direct your comrades when they provide humanitarian aid to people in need, when they intercept criminals on the high seas and when they bring peace to parts of the world that have been wracked with conflict.
You will ensure that Canada plays a leading role in the world.
This Government believes that you deserve a commitment equal to what Canadians ask of you.
We believe that you deserve the equipment, the infrastructure, the training and the education that you require to succeed at the many tasks Canadians will demand of you.
And our Government wants to take care of you right from the start of your careers.
That is why we have invested in the military and ensured the funding required to rebuild and revi talize the Canadian Forces.
In 2006, we added $5.3 billion in defence spending over five years.
Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister announced that we would be bolstering the automatic annual increase in defence spending from 1.5 to 2 perce nt beginning in 2011-2012.
We are working hard at rebuilding the capabilities of our military.
We have taken a good look at our army, navy and air force and we are getting them what they need.
- That has meant a commitment to the navy to modernize our frigates, and acquire new joint support ships and Arctic offshore patrol ships.
- For the army, we have answered the call for new trucks, tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery.
- Our decision to purchase new helicopters, as well as strategic and tactical airlift will give the air force unprecedented capabilities.
We are building a military of which you can be proud to be a member.
But new equipment has just been the start.
We are working to increase the personnel levels of the military.
We are recruiting, enrolling and training talented and enthusiastic people like you on parade today.
We are growing the Forces to ensure we can meet our responsibilities at home and abroad.
And, we are taking care of our reservists.
They are an essential part of our daily operations and we recognize that their service requires a challenging balance between their military and civilian lives.
Just a few weeks ago, I was pleased to join the Minister of Labour, Jean-Pierre Blackburn, in announcing new legislation offering better protection to members of the reserves who deploy.
This legislation, which passed quickly through the House, will prot ect the "active student" status of reservists and guarantee job protection for those employed in federally regulated industries and the federal public sector.
We have many other initiatives underway, not the least of which are major in vestments in infrastructure across the country, including Comox, Bagotville, Shearwater, Trenton, Pleasantville and right here with this $70 million dollar project to renovate three dormitories and build Fort Brant.
Our efforts exemplify the Gover nment's commitment to the Quality of Life of all members of the Forces at every stage of their careers.
Ladies and gentlemen, the government has been transparent when it comes to its plans for the Canadian Forces.
We understand the c ommitment that you have made by donning the uniform and pursuing a noble vocation.
And we have also made a commitment.
We have promised to provide you with an appropriate level of support.
We have taken a pledge to give you the too ls you need and deserve.
The government takes the Canadian Forces very seriously.
As Minister of Defence, I take pride in being able to keep our promises.
And I am proud to see the excellent young cadets that the Royal Military Col lege is directing into the ranks of the Canadian Forces.
Stimulating careers await you.
You have vital roles to play within our country and our military forces.
Your future could not be brighter.
I wish you well.
