One could argue that the vast majority of Canadian land operations are road-based, peacemaking-type situations (Kabul, Bosnia, Haiti etc.), where taking enemy fire is not an everyday occurance. Light-armoured, wheeled vehicles are probably ideal for these operations, as tracks get worn out and roads get chewed up by tracks when operations are road-based. Wheeled vehicles are normally faster, as well, and I believe maintenance is simpler. To a civilian and a politician a wheeled fleet thus makes more sense than a tracked army. The important concern is that once peacemaking turns into warfighting, we will suffer. Cross-country maneuver will suffer as wheels get bogged down and stuck, and vehicles will be easily taken out with RPGs and other systems. From my research, RPG protection for LAVs is problematic; Strykers in Iraq have "birdcages" (but with no wheel protection), but it is believed that the Mobile Gun System and possibly our LAV 111s would not be able to accomodate such protection due to the added weight (MGS/LAV 111 being heavier systems with their "turrets" etc.). I could be wrong with the LAV 111 but MGS is certainly much heavier than a common Stryker. Our leaders are currently promising RPG protection for MGS, but it is likely it will take some sort of technological advancement/development that produces lighter RPG armour before this is possible.
