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Government makes specific military commitments
Stephen Thorne
Canadian Press
Monday, February 02, 2004
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OTTAWA -- Paul Martin‘s blueprint for defence spending contained firm commitments to Canada‘s armed forces Monday and included something that was notably absent from recent throne speeches -- specifics.
The 23-page speech devoted three pages to Canada‘s role in the world, saying Canadians want their country to play "a distinctive and independent role in making the world more secure, more peaceful, more co-operative, more open.‘‘
"To this end, the government will make immediate investments in key capital equipment, such as new armoured vehicles and replacements for the Sea King helicopters,‘‘ said Gov.-Gen. Adrienne Clarkson, whose duties include commanding Canada‘s armed forces.
The government has already said the Sea Kings would be replaced by year‘s end. It is going ahead with the early purchase and delivery of replacements for its unarmoured Iltis jeeps patrolling the Afghan capital of Kabul.
But until Monday‘s speech, there was lingering doubt that it would go forward with the multi-million-dollar purchase of 66 mobile gun systems, known in the United States as Strykers.
The future of the program was up in the air after Finance Minister Ralph Goodale announced a spending freeze and review of most federal programs in December.
Military planners expect to approach Treasury Board as soon as this month with a $600-million purchase proposal as part of a co-ordinated plan to replace Canada‘s tanks.
The army hopes to tag onto a $4-billion American order for 2,100 of the vehicles, completing contract talks by year‘s end and taking first deliveries in 2006.
Martin has ordered a complete review of international policy, including defence, that will be submitted to a parliamentary committee by fall.
David Rudd of the Canadian Institute for Strategic Studies, who has questioned the wisdom of the Stryker option, said the first broad defence and foreign policy review in a decade is badly needed.
"So much international political water has passed under the bridge,‘‘ said Rudd. "Plus, we‘ve got our deficit under control. So there are certain international events as well as domestic events that necessitate a review.
Retired colonel Alain Pellerin, executive director of the Conference of Defence Associations, called Monday‘s document a pre-election speech focussing on health, education and cities -- "all responsibilities of the provinces to start with.‘‘
Defence spending was cut 25 per cent during the 1990s while the number of military personnel dropped by a third.
While defence spending increased $800 million this fiscal year and will be boosted by at least another $800 million next year, it is barely enough to cover existing operations, much less needed growth and capital spending, Pellerin said.
"The only way to address that is really to have a full defence policy review where the priorities of government for defence are identified,‘‘ said Pellerin.
The key is whether Ottawa will put its money where its mouth is, he added.
"If you ask 95 per cent of the people who are in the know about these so-called consultations, nobody knows where they ended up,‘‘ he said.
"Defence is an orphan in that the priorities of the government are priorities that they share with the provinces -- health, education, aboriginal affairs. Therefore, there‘s a lobby group there -- the premiers of the provinces.‘‘
Defence, on the other hand, is wholly dependent on the interest of the prime minister and the strength of the defence minister, he said.
Martin did send a signal of the emphasis he intends to put on defence shortly after becoming prime ministers.
One of his first acts after being sworn in was to visit National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa -- something Jean Chretien never did in 10 years as prime minister.
Then he appointed the long-time head of the Commons defence committee, David Pratt, as defence minister. Pratt is widely respected by soldiers for his role in advocating more defence spending and a stronger military.
© Copyright 2004 Canadian Press
All ‘n all I found it a good read and it has me with higher confidence since I‘ll be sworn in, in about 5-6 months (Completing school).
Stephen Thorne
Canadian Press
Monday, February 02, 2004
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA -- Paul Martin‘s blueprint for defence spending contained firm commitments to Canada‘s armed forces Monday and included something that was notably absent from recent throne speeches -- specifics.
The 23-page speech devoted three pages to Canada‘s role in the world, saying Canadians want their country to play "a distinctive and independent role in making the world more secure, more peaceful, more co-operative, more open.‘‘
"To this end, the government will make immediate investments in key capital equipment, such as new armoured vehicles and replacements for the Sea King helicopters,‘‘ said Gov.-Gen. Adrienne Clarkson, whose duties include commanding Canada‘s armed forces.
The government has already said the Sea Kings would be replaced by year‘s end. It is going ahead with the early purchase and delivery of replacements for its unarmoured Iltis jeeps patrolling the Afghan capital of Kabul.
But until Monday‘s speech, there was lingering doubt that it would go forward with the multi-million-dollar purchase of 66 mobile gun systems, known in the United States as Strykers.
The future of the program was up in the air after Finance Minister Ralph Goodale announced a spending freeze and review of most federal programs in December.
Military planners expect to approach Treasury Board as soon as this month with a $600-million purchase proposal as part of a co-ordinated plan to replace Canada‘s tanks.
The army hopes to tag onto a $4-billion American order for 2,100 of the vehicles, completing contract talks by year‘s end and taking first deliveries in 2006.
Martin has ordered a complete review of international policy, including defence, that will be submitted to a parliamentary committee by fall.
David Rudd of the Canadian Institute for Strategic Studies, who has questioned the wisdom of the Stryker option, said the first broad defence and foreign policy review in a decade is badly needed.
"So much international political water has passed under the bridge,‘‘ said Rudd. "Plus, we‘ve got our deficit under control. So there are certain international events as well as domestic events that necessitate a review.
Retired colonel Alain Pellerin, executive director of the Conference of Defence Associations, called Monday‘s document a pre-election speech focussing on health, education and cities -- "all responsibilities of the provinces to start with.‘‘
Defence spending was cut 25 per cent during the 1990s while the number of military personnel dropped by a third.
While defence spending increased $800 million this fiscal year and will be boosted by at least another $800 million next year, it is barely enough to cover existing operations, much less needed growth and capital spending, Pellerin said.
"The only way to address that is really to have a full defence policy review where the priorities of government for defence are identified,‘‘ said Pellerin.
The key is whether Ottawa will put its money where its mouth is, he added.
"If you ask 95 per cent of the people who are in the know about these so-called consultations, nobody knows where they ended up,‘‘ he said.
"Defence is an orphan in that the priorities of the government are priorities that they share with the provinces -- health, education, aboriginal affairs. Therefore, there‘s a lobby group there -- the premiers of the provinces.‘‘
Defence, on the other hand, is wholly dependent on the interest of the prime minister and the strength of the defence minister, he said.
Martin did send a signal of the emphasis he intends to put on defence shortly after becoming prime ministers.
One of his first acts after being sworn in was to visit National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa -- something Jean Chretien never did in 10 years as prime minister.
Then he appointed the long-time head of the Commons defence committee, David Pratt, as defence minister. Pratt is widely respected by soldiers for his role in advocating more defence spending and a stronger military.
© Copyright 2004 Canadian Press
All ‘n all I found it a good read and it has me with higher confidence since I‘ll be sworn in, in about 5-6 months (Completing school).
