Canada moves to 2% GDP end of FY25/26 - PMMC

[Colin Parkinson]

PM clearly hit a nerve with Trump at Davos - another unhinged screed launched our way.

Also Trump apparently cant remember which "land" he wants. Went off on Iceland today.

or the wars he ended......

 

[ytz]

I honestly would like to know what more Does Canada need to have to be a serious Military?

Modern warfare doesn't just have tanks, ships and airplanes. Sensors, software, autonomous systems, space systems, mass simulation systems, etc are all necessary.

We don't have to build all of that. But the only way the public will ever support sustained higher defence spending is if more of that money is spent at home. And a start-up using AI with Decision Support Systems isn't a bad place to invest.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Article 3​

In order more effectively to achieve the objectives of this Treaty, the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.

Self-help
Individual capacity to resist armed attack

Continuous
Effective
Maintain
Develop

Basically, "no free riders, please". Necessary in any venture with a large number of partners. How'd that work out? About as well as managing the tip at the end of a dinner for a bunch of university first-years.

 

[Brad Sallows]

From Carney's speech at Davos

"But let’s be clear-eyed about where this leads. A world of fortresses will be poorer, more fragile, and less sustainable."

Poorer, agree. More fragile, unlikely, unless we see pre-1914 kinds of arms races. Less sustainable - what is that even supposed to mean (ie. in what sense)?

 

[Czech_pivo]

Poorer, agree. More fragile, unlikely, unless we see pre-1914 kinds of arms races. Less sustainable - what is that even supposed to mean (ie. in what sense)?

I think that he's referring to something like the 'Dreadnought' races that were occurring at the turn of the 1900's. The constant race to build more and more warships that led to massive costs and driving up of steel, coal, shipyards and workers. It became unsustainable in the end.

 

[Brad Sallows]

I think that he's referring to something like the 'Dreadnought' races that were occurring at the turn of the 1900's. The constant race to build more and more warships that led to massive costs and driving up of steel, coal, shipyards and workers. It became unsustainable in the end.

Doesn't work well in either the literal (military) or analogized (economic) sense. Redundancies obviously are wasteful, as are all policies which inhibit free trade. Conversely redundancies increase security and stability.

"Unsustainable" has at least two uses. One is that you reach a point and collapse from it. Another is that you reach a point and your growth rate zeroes (ie. the first time derivative is what's unsustainable). The latter is likely; the former much less so.

What I see happening broadly is that Trump's fat fingered china shop bull behaviour has motivated "crisis == opportunity" agendas. People who favour more engagement with China, or Europe, or closer integration within Europe, or revitalized globalisation/internationalisation under modified terms, or just generally have always hated the US, are shilling hard for their respective aims. The only thing they share in common is a remarkable desire to throw much of the Canada-US relationship as fast as they can. It will be a challenge to repair some of the damage; they want to make the damage unrepairable.

 

[childs56]

Modern warfare doesn't just have tanks, ships and airplanes. Sensors, software, autonomous systems, space systems, mass simulation systems, etc are all necessary.

We don't have to build all of that. But the only way the public will ever support sustained higher defence spending is if more of that money is spent at home. And a start-up using AI with Decision Support Systems isn't a bad place to invest.

I wonder if much of the AI hesitation here is the fact that skill fade happens very quickly and our industries do not want to loose the physical/mental experience we already have.
Our Military has been fighting this for decades. Artillery is one example where high tech is good until it isn't. Gun line Survey. Using newer tech is all fine until the GPS and or electrical sensors stop working. Then hopefully they can resort back to the L1A2 Artillery director. If those skills are lost then we will fighting hard to get them back.
I watched a video a bit ago on Sextants and how modern ships use digital ones to calculate their positions and the one Sailor stated they had a hard time using standard sextants and paper charts as everything was digital. The same with the Gyro repeaters. They had digital that fed the electronic map all the information. They were having a hard time keeping current on all the traditional plotting methods along with keeping up with the new digital equipment.
Again Canada designs, integrates, consults and exports lots of AI tech around the world. I would not say we are behind the times as much as Industry is hesitant to incorporate it here.

 

[ytz]

I wonder if much of the AI hesitation here is the fact

Where's here? Industry, government and the CAF are moving to deploy AI. Some people in this forum may think it's a gimmick. But real organizations? Not so much.

 

[Cloud Cover]

At this point I wouldn't be surprised if NDHQ did a snap mobilization drill, picking a random saturday and ordering everyone, reg and reserve to report for duty on 24h or less notice.

They should do it in Montreal or Ottawa, just for the entertainment.
CBC would have a heart attack.

 

[QV]

They should do it in Montreal or Ottawa, just for the entertainment.
CBC would have a heart attack.

This would be priceless.

 

[MilEME09]

They should do it in Montreal or Ottawa, just for the entertainment.
CBC would have a heart attack.

Toronto would too

 

[mariomike]

I wouldn't be surprised if NDHQ did a snap mobilization drill,

Can they - order - Class A to report for a drill?

What would be the consequences if they didn't show up?

 

[dapaterson]

Can they - order - Class A to report for a drill?

Are their full-time employers obligated to give them time off for a drill?

What would be the consequences if they didn't show up?

Yes.

No.

NDA 294(1)

 

[Czech_pivo]

Toronto would too

What about only doing is in locations where there are land bridges to the US or land border crossings? Windsor, Sarnia, Niagara Falls, Cornwall, etc, etc.

 

[MilEME09]

Yes.

No.

NDA 294(1)

employers must give time off, CFLC has worked hard to make reservist leave laws the same coast to coast, problem is enforcement and employers knowing the law

Allowed operations and activities​

An employee may take reservist leave for the following operations or activities:

• deployment to a Canadian forces operation outside Canada
• deployment to a Canadian forces operation inside Canada that is assisting with an emergency or the aftermath of an emergency
• annual training, included related travel time
• other operations set out as such in the Employment Standards Regulation by the Minister

Participation in pre - or post-deployment activities in connection with an operation is also considered part of deployment for the operation.

 

[Cloud Cover]

employers must give time off, CFLC has worked hard to make reservist leave laws the same coast to coast, problem is enforcement and employers knowing the law

"an employee may take reservist leave ..."

That says "may" and you write "must"... is there another resource?

This is the type of information the government should be pushing out on social media, broadcasting and to employers and the general public right now. Again, just for entertainment (until it's not ... )

It's a good exercise anyway that should wake a few people up.

 

[mariomike]

"an employee may take reservist leave ..."

Thank you.

 

[childs56]

Can they - order - Class A to report for a drill?

What would be the consequences if they didn't show up?

employers must give time off, CFLC has worked hard to make reservist leave laws the same coast to coast, problem is enforcement and employers knowing the law

There are a few rules province to province on how this works.
I would Say if the Reservist responds by phone within a hour they have met the requirements of a fan out.
expecting a Reservist to leave their place of work and or school for a call out would put their standing in question. Especially with not giving proper notice to their employer.

Yes.

No.

NDA 294(1)

294(1) would be hard to prosecute unless it was an actual emergency.

Where's here?

Canada

Industry,

yes but still hesitant. Only for certain functions.

government and the CAF are moving to deploy AI.

Still behind others in our peer group in actually implementing it.

Some people in this forum may think it's a gimmick.

Its here and we already use AI without actually thinking about it. This forum uses AI.

But real organizations? Not so much.

Many still hesitant in its use and complexity. But again AI is everyone just not at the level it could be.

 

[Kirkhill]

What does Canada not have the capability to build here defence wise?
What defence industry would we have to add to be a Proper Military?

Right now we build/ manufacture entire and various components for Aircraft, that includes casting, machining and certifying. We build minor and major warships, we build armored vehicles, we build specialized optical, radar sonar etc sensers and components for ourselves and our allies. We manufacture propellant for artillery. (One of the largest suppliers to the US Military of such for their 155mm) We also manufacture various small arms ammunition and munitions, including up to 155 ammunition. We build small rockets really well. We also have leading tech on composites, sensor integration and fusion. We provide armored plating including composites to our allies and ourselves. Canada also has their hands across the world in other defence industries for providing resources, tech and manufacturing? We have tons or high grade Uranium.

I honestly would like to know what more Does Canada need to have to be a serious Military?

Just because we do not buy many of our own products does not mean we do not have a good defence industrial base. I often wonder if a basic search comes up with over 100 defense suppliers/ manufactures.
Years ago there was a small company out of BC who supplied zodiacs and RIB/ RHIBS to the Canadian government. They also provided product to the other clients. Not sure where he is as he sold the company a number of years ago, or if they are still building boats for the government. on a side note When he was tasked to repair some of the boats he didn't ask what happened but it was sometimes very evident. Other times customers would tell him how they tore the side off.

We have so many small companies directly and indirectly manufacturing, designing, building and assembling parts, ideas etc for defence it is mind blowing how many do not understand this nor understand the size and power of these small but integral industries.

I would just like to see some contracts issued to companies that already exist and that actually make things.

Rifles, trucks, boots, armoured vehicles, rockets, ATVs, drones, radios.....

 

[ytz]

I would just like to see some contracts issued to companies that already exist and that actually make things.

Rifles, trucks, boots, armoured vehicles, rockets, ATVs, drones, radios.....

Stuff like that isn't being ordered too. But that's on LCMMs to do. It's not the big sexy stuff being accelerated by DIA.