Government hints at boosting Canada’s military spending

I have long said that you could fund the CAF to 4 percent of GDP, but we would still lag behind in NATO and be much the same where we are.

It's never the money, it's politics. It's procedures. It's the pork-barreling in our defence spending that makes us a paper tiger in NATO.

My only hope in all of this for the CAF and the GoC, whatever the political stripe that may be, is that it will rouse them out of the "Peace Dividend" slumber. The world has been unstable since 1945. We have used geography, proximity, and association as a Defence Policy ever since. ICBMs don't care how close to the U.S. or how far from Russia/China we are.

Don't give us a dime more, but let us spend money on defence like it matters. The fact we follow the same rules for purchasing a fighter aircraft as we do for buying office furniture for a Service Canada office is disgraceful. Don't treat defense procurement as a stimulus package for Canadian Industry. There I said it.

We spend so much money, time, and effort trying to get that money to stay in Canada; be it by awarding contracts to companies with no capability to produce items without first "retooling" and"developing the production lines", or by hamstringing perfectly competent and competitive bidders by forcing the project to be made in St. Margaret de Poutain de Champignon, QC because the ruling government either lost the seat in the election, or won it with promises.

We spend so much money and staff hours jumping through TBS regulations that are great for other departments, but are terrible for defence procurement. Some items you have to sole source, because there are technologies and capabilities no one else makes. By doing the bid process, you get companies clamoring for a project they can't deliver on, but because they tick the bright boxes on the score sheet....

I truly and honestly belief we need to split from PSPC and legislate that its not beholden to TBS, only to the PBO/PCO. The guiding principles of this new Defence Procurement department should be "Off the shelf, from somewhere else" if there isn't an industry in Canada.

BOOTFORGEN has demonstrated how well we do when we are able to actually get what we need, instead of lining the pockets of a Canadian company that got lucky.

That, but with tanks, fighters, ships, weapons systems....

 

[Kirkhill]

Future Probable

We get to sell more Hydrocarbons to Europe when we jack our Defence Spending to 2.5% and our International Aid to 0.7%.

Kickbacks make the world go round.

 

[Edward Campbell]

Future Probable

We get to sell more Hydrocarbons to Europe when we jack our Defence Spending to 2.5% and our International Aid to 0.7%.

Kickbacks make the world go round.

Stranger things and all that ... we got Leopard tanks after Pierre Trudeau had a "walk in there garden" with Germany's chancellor; so who knows?

 

[PPCLI Guy]

There is no way these lightweights suddenly get a dose of realpolitik strong enough to burst the echo chamber bubble.

As Mr Campbell said, we are an unserious people in an unserious country who elect unserious governments.

And our long-suffering Allies and otherwise well-meaning friends are getting to the point that they will call us on it.

And we, as Canadians, don't get to point fingers at the politicians. We did this. We are the vacuous. We are the unserious. We need only look in the mirror.

I suspect, however, that we will fiddle with our social media, watch Netflix, make well-intentioned and unrealistic if not unhinged pronouncements of our virtue, and make bigger car payments as we fail to even realise that it is all burning....

 

[Brad Sallows]

Too many Canadians are near-obsessed with setting themselves apart from Americans.

 

[FSTO]

Too many Canadians are near-obsessed with setting themselves apart from Americans.

While at the same time greedily sucking every drop of US culture as it washes across the border daily.

 

[Czech_pivo]

I agree; it is part of what they call, in there EU, the New Hanseatic League.

Neither the EU nor NATO is united in any meaningful way. There are three main European divisions:

1. The fiscally conservative Northerners - the New Hanseatic League+;​

2. The fiscally irresponsible Romans - France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and honorary member Greece; and​

3. The Eastern European rest.​

None of the three wants to upset the whole apple-cart ... yet ... but, equally, none of the three is happy with the status quo.

Add the Belgians to #2 and the Dutch to #1.
In #3 there’s a split; Poland, Czech Rep, Slovakia and the Baltics, with the Romanians lumped in with that group and then all the others - Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria in the other and the Hungary dangling in the wind.

 

[Czech_pivo]

I presume you saw this -

Chrystia Freeland issues a clarion call from Canada’s foreign-policy void

If you don’t whether the Deputy Prime Minister’s latest speech is the government’s foreign policy, it could be because in the real world, it hasn’t really got one

www.theglobeandmail.com

Campbell Clark doesn't seem to be holding his breath.

Musing.....


I wonder if the Westminster theatrics have got the good idea fairies fluttering in Ottawa?

It is kind of a piece with the LNG conundrum and Carbon Capture - good enough for Joe, good enough for Justin.

The one thing that Freeland sort of gets is the seriousness of VVP and his lot.
She’s lived in Ukraine during its birth and the dying days of the old SU, she’s seen this stuff first hand. She grew up listening to the ‘Evil Empire’ speeches from her Grandfather (plus or minus any lingering love of Nazi Germany that he may still have had). But somehow this has not translated into anything meaningful in terms of pushing for a renewed CAF. The years of living the good life in a utopian bubble here in Canada have damped, stifled everything else. She needs to spend 2-3 months back in Ukraine among her relatives to reawaken this knowledge that has been buried away.

 

[KevinB]

The one thing that Freeland sort of gets is the seriousness of VVP and his lot.
She’s lived in Ukraine during its birth and the dying days of the old SU, she’s seen this stuff first hand. She grew up listening to the ‘Evil Empire’ speeches from her Grandfather (plus or minus any lingering love of Nazi Germany that he may still have had). But somehow this has not translated into anything meaningful in terms of pushing for a renewed CAF. The years of living the good life in a utopian bubble here in Canada have damped, stifled everything else. She needs to spend 2-3 months back in Ukraine among her relatives to reawaken this knowledge that has been buried away.

I'm not sure it is a her problem (or solely a her problem) - but more of a Trudeau, Joy - rest of the LPC (and most of Canada) problem.
On can shout fire to their hearts content in an empty room, and have no one notice -- as they are all at the mall...

 

[ueo]

Every time the Reg F opens up options for CT, lots of well trained reservists migrate over there. The problem is that the CT door opens and closes with a mysterious irregularity that confounds the best of planning minds.

Why not triple the size of the A Res and have a continuous supply of troops moving in to the RegF, via CT, after they've finished their degrees at college and completed most of their trades training?

Then, after they do their Reg F service (in their early/mid-40s) they can CT back to their ARes units and serve until they hit CRA.

I would dearly like to hear from some one with pers/first hand knowledge of the actual nos by trade/rank today. PM and minister seem to be pulling pax out of thair bums. Any takers?

 

[Kirkhill]

I'm not sure it is a her problem (or solely a her problem) - but more of a Trudeau, Joy - rest of the LPC (and most of Canada) problem.
On can shout fire to their hearts content in an empty room, and have no one notice -- as they are all at the mall...

Similar problem for Anand and all the bright sparks that were reassigned to national security positions at the beginning of this government. It isn't lack of talent, or corporate knowledge or advice that prevents Trudeau and Joly acting on the Defence and Energy fronts. It is conviction. And that is worse.

 

[dapaterson]

I would dearly like to hear from some one with pers/first hand knowledge of the actual nos by trade/rank today. PM and minister seem to be pulling pax out of thair bums. Any takers?

Nothing that's open source.

But on DWAN the data vis tool can be instructive about actual current numbers.

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

There is indeed a place for the professional - the person that is paid explicitly for the task they are asked to undertake - as opposed to the amateur - the person that does the same thing for the love of the thing.

So you'll not sell me on the merits of the professional attitude.

It's one thing to be proud of your trade and your accomplishments. Its another entirely to think that others can't perform equally as well without the paper.

The Canadian Rugby Union Team would challenge your last assertion.

 

[Kirkhill]

There used to be a difference between Union and League - other than just the number of players on the field.

 

[Halifax Tar]

The Canadian Rugby Union Team would challenge your last assertion.

Point of clarity, then Men's Canadian Rugby Union side. I would completely fold the international men's side, it's GD disgrace.

The women's side is world class.

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

Point of clarity, then Men's Canadian Rugby Union side. I would completely fold the international men's side, it's GD disgrace.

The women's side is world class.

Yah, my point was really to illustrate the gulf between professional vs amateur sides. The Men's Team current predicament is a result of the prevailing attitudes that "our amateurs will give them a good run for their money"

 

[Halifax Tar]

Yah, my point was really to illustrate the gulf between professional vs amateur sides. The Men's Team current predicament is a result of the prevailing attitudes that "our amateurs will give them a good run for their money"

Oh I understood you. I just wanted to make sure we didn't lump the ladies in with your flailing men's side.

I played rugby for over 25 years. Where we were when I started to where we are now is a disgrace. But its actually a good example of your point.

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

Oh I understood you. I just wanted to make sure we didn't lump the ladies in with your flailing men's side.

I played rugby for over 25 years. Where we were when I started to where we are now is a disgrace. But its actually a good example of your point.

Oh yah, I played for 20 years. I remember Canada running Italy close in 2003 and acquitting themselves well. They also beat Scotland and Italy in the lead up to that tournament and tied Ireland.

It was after that tournament though that the gulf between amateur and the now fully professional sides grew. It's only gotten larger since then and if you don't have a professional competition, you're players aren't going to cut it at Test level.

It's why Canada is now not only getting smashed by the traditionally weaker test nations but also getting crushed by the likes of Romania, Georgia, Spain, Uruguay, Chile, Portugal, etc.

 

[Kirkhill]

I agree; it is part of what they call, in there EU, the New Hanseatic League.

Neither the EU nor NATO is united in any meaningful way. There are three main European divisions:

1. The fiscally conservative Northerners - the New Hanseatic League+;​

2. The fiscally irresponsible Romans - France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and honorary member Greece; and​

3. The Eastern European rest.​

None of the three wants to upset the whole apple-cart ... yet ... but, equally, none of the three is happy with the status quo.

Thinking about this....

One might be excused from thinking somebody is actively engaged in upsetting apple carts.

The US apple cart is going through its regularly scheduled upset - Jacksonians seem to be trending upwards
The UK apple cart is experiencing some uncharacteristic turbulence - Hanseatic Brexiteers and Roman Remainers are engaged in a grudge match
The French apple cart is experiencing its usual instability - Yet another government threatening strike (Ho Hum)
The Italian apple cart has been upset by its new nationalist PM - who seems to be actually quite steady
The German apple cart is being upset - the Pro Russian factions in the government, security services, business and economic departments are threatened with a repeat of the 1945 deNazification policies

And the EU in Brussels - is trying to pretend that it is still in control of the situation

My money is on Poland and the Easterners - once they get Hungary sorted.

Is this another "spontaneous" eruption - like 1848 or 1968? Or is it something other?

 

[Czech_pivo]

Thinking about this....

One might be excused from thinking somebody is actively engaged in upsetting apple carts.

The US apple cart is going through its regularly scheduled upset - Jacksonians seem to be trending upwards
The UK apple cart is experiencing some uncharacteristic turbulence - Hanseatic Brexiteers and Roman Remainers are engaged in a grudge match
The French apple cart is experiencing its usual instability - Yet another government threatening strike (Ho Hum)
The Italian apple cart has been upset by its new nationalist PM - who seems to be actually quite steady
The German apple cart is being upset - the Pro Russian factions in the government, security services, business and economic departments are threatened with a repeat of the 1945 deNazification policies

And the EU in Brussels - is trying to pretend that it is still in control of the situation

My money is on Poland and the Easterners - once they get Hungary sorted.

Is this another "spontaneous" eruption - like 1848 or 1968? Or is it something other?

Canada: "Wait, you guys have an apple cart!"

 

[Kirkhill]

More apples spilling

Macron and Scholz in bitter row as Berlin snubs EU for US defence

A Franco-German summit next week could be cancelled over disagreements between Paris and Berlin, officials have hinted.

www.express.co.uk

The EU cannot insulate itself from the coming cataclysm

Our European friends would be wise not to laugh at Britain's troubles – they'll be in the same boat soon enough

www.telegraph.co.uk

Ukraine war: Mysterious defence secretary trip to Washington amid fears of Russian escalation

The secretive, last-minute nature of the trip and a comment by a second defence minister, James Heappey - who said the conversations Mr Wallace would be having on Tuesday were "beyond belief" - suggested particularly sensitive and serious issues would be discussed.

news.sky.com