Alpine Trooper
AllCiv
"If a country wants to be taken seriously in the world, it must have the capacity to act. It's that simple. Otherwise, you forfeit your right to be a player. You're the one chattering on the sideline that everyone smiles at, but no one listens to." Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Now typical routine for the Conservative government of Canada, yet another major announcement concerning military spending that will span the next two decades. There has already been many announcements concerning funding in all areas of the armed forces; expanding them, upgrading equipment, buying new equipment, securing northern waters, and improving on the ability to move troops quickly throughout the globe. And granted, the government has managed to increase the size of the forces and expand its operational capacity. It would be hard to deny that Stephen Harper and his generals havn't greatly improved the image of the Canadian forces either.
But this new plan sets in motion what the Conservative government envisions as a 21st century strategy for Canada or "Canada Defence First Strategy". Defence, eh? As the F-18 Hornet and other aircraft reach the end of their lifespan despite billions worth of sophisticated upgrades over the last decades, they must be replaced. The sinking submarines and falling Seaking Helicopters should have been replaced. The Grizzlys and Leopards are probably near their end of life too.
But it begs the question what exactly is the mission of the Canadian forces for the 21st century? Peacekeeping, disaster response, combat missions? I am not particularly concerned about upgrading equipment or increasing the size of the armed forces, but it really seems as though the Canadian military is moving back towards combat oriented missions so it is more capable with its American counterpart. Does the government of Canada envision a world of fierce fundamentalist extremism that must be combated over the next two decades or does it want to involve itself in peacekeeping missions, something Canada has without doubt deviated from since the early nineties.
Is Lester B. Pearson a forgotten memory in Canadian history, how he resolved a conflict in a region of the world where we see so much strife today, or has the 21st century proved that negotiation and UN Peacekeepers are not enough to stop violent conflicts that exist in the Middle East and Africa?
Now typical routine for the Conservative government of Canada, yet another major announcement concerning military spending that will span the next two decades. There has already been many announcements concerning funding in all areas of the armed forces; expanding them, upgrading equipment, buying new equipment, securing northern waters, and improving on the ability to move troops quickly throughout the globe. And granted, the government has managed to increase the size of the forces and expand its operational capacity. It would be hard to deny that Stephen Harper and his generals havn't greatly improved the image of the Canadian forces either.
But this new plan sets in motion what the Conservative government envisions as a 21st century strategy for Canada or "Canada Defence First Strategy". Defence, eh? As the F-18 Hornet and other aircraft reach the end of their lifespan despite billions worth of sophisticated upgrades over the last decades, they must be replaced. The sinking submarines and falling Seaking Helicopters should have been replaced. The Grizzlys and Leopards are probably near their end of life too.
But it begs the question what exactly is the mission of the Canadian forces for the 21st century? Peacekeeping, disaster response, combat missions? I am not particularly concerned about upgrading equipment or increasing the size of the armed forces, but it really seems as though the Canadian military is moving back towards combat oriented missions so it is more capable with its American counterpart. Does the government of Canada envision a world of fierce fundamentalist extremism that must be combated over the next two decades or does it want to involve itself in peacekeeping missions, something Canada has without doubt deviated from since the early nineties.
Is Lester B. Pearson a forgotten memory in Canadian history, how he resolved a conflict in a region of the world where we see so much strife today, or has the 21st century proved that negotiation and UN Peacekeepers are not enough to stop violent conflicts that exist in the Middle East and Africa?
Spoiler :
Me dumb amerikan. Me no reed newzpappers. Wears kanida agin?
