Thanks, Matt. I think the more the Canadian public understands what the military does, the better.
I went to CDA's Ottawa Conference on national defence in early March, out of personal interest. A recurring theme (both in the formal presentations and in hallway conversations) was public support for the Canadian military. What I'd really like to see is cross-partisan consensus (at least between the Liberals and Conservatives), not just on funding, but also on the military capabilities that Canada needs for continental defence and the Arctic, for Europe, and for the Pacific (in that order).
The public presentations are available on CPAC. I found the day 2 presentation by the Australian army chief (discussing "deterrence and denial" campaign planning, starting around 1h20m) to be particularly interesting. Australia's accustomed to being a long way from friendly countries - exactly the situation we now find ourselves in.
The Arctic is so vast. On a return flight from Inuvik there were military service members sitting in the back of the plane. The poor souls looked wiped! Frostbitten,cold,sore and tired. They all still had their white camo gear on. I had a strong feeling of pride for these soldiers. It was such a reassurance and feeling of security to see them,after their Arctic training. Thank you for your service ladies and gentlemen. To all the members of our land,air and sea forces. Thank you
Thank you for conducting the interview and publishing it now. It is likely that had you not finished editing for publication at this point, you would likely have had to wait until early May to do so.
The General's comments about everthing were helpful, but it was good to know that some progress is being made to solidify our Arctic defence effort.
And this is something Canada could easily, easily afford and would also have clear economic development value. Money to building this capability would naturally be widely regionly spead. Indeed, a great first step would be to offer successful Ukrainian drone producers to set up Canadian branch plants as launch points for international expansion.
Thanks for this. The timing also makes me realize, I don’t want an election called tomorrow. I wish it was a month or more later so we don’t have an artificial Carney high. But that’s probably my western Canada preferences talking.
Trump is the best gift the Liberals could have hoped for. They cannot believe their good luck, I am sure. They do seem to have a lucky star shining over them, unfortunately .
I hope it doesn’t last because I do not see Carney as much of a difference from the Trudeau party and policies.
I exclude his blatant poaching of Conservative policies and pretending they are his own.
When will we be rid of the Liberals? I not a big fan of the Conservatives but we need a change, badly. They will do and they are not the far right loons the Liberals pretend they are.
In my view, the Conservatives suffer from what I like to call "Boeing syndrome".
Just as Boeing merged with McDonnell Douglas Corporation in 1997, the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada merged with the Canadian Reform Alliance in 2003.
The thing is, like Boeing, which was essentially "eaten" by McDonnel Douglas (and has been suffering the consequences ever since), the PC's were "eaten" by the CRA.
What that means is that the prairie populism of the Reform Alliance, together with the "maple MAGA" sensibilities of a strong but influential minority of the Conservative Party, has encouraged the party to adopt positions that are unsettling to many Canadian voters.
As Paul Wells and others have recently observed, Pierre Poilievre and his main advisor, Jennie Byrne, were intent on winning the next election on the basis of their populist and, until recently, overtly "maple MAGA" political ideology.
If the Conservatives led by Mr Poilievre lose this election, I'll wager that this will likely be the main reason why.
We do need a viable centrist alternative to the Liberals in Ottawa. Alas, the Conservatives as presently construed do not appear willing to play that role.
Thanks Matt, an excellent, informative piece. While I remain concerned about the seeming lack of commitment and focus by anyone at the political level, it is clear the CAF is ready! The only question I have is are they ready to ween themselves from the absolute dependence on the US.
A great piece, cannot thank you enough for this. It should be outside the paywall and in every newspaper. I am relieved to hear such conon sense. We need to ramp up funding now not just on planes but creating the Arctic vision that is there.
What I would have asked if the interview went on - about priorities - who actually establishes these? And #1 defending Canada and the North American continent - should this be reconsidered - focus on Canada... And how do we define "defence" now?
Thanks, Matt. I think the more the Canadian public understands what the military does, the better.
I went to CDA's Ottawa Conference on national defence in early March, out of personal interest. A recurring theme (both in the formal presentations and in hallway conversations) was public support for the Canadian military. What I'd really like to see is cross-partisan consensus (at least between the Liberals and Conservatives), not just on funding, but also on the military capabilities that Canada needs for continental defence and the Arctic, for Europe, and for the Pacific (in that order).
The public presentations are available on CPAC. I found the day 2 presentation by the Australian army chief (discussing "deterrence and denial" campaign planning, starting around 1h20m) to be particularly interesting. Australia's accustomed to being a long way from friendly countries - exactly the situation we now find ourselves in.
https://www.cpac.ca/public-record/episode/ottawa-conference-on-security-and-defence--day-1?id=c904a4cd-48fd-4d9b-b8f4-433768327c45
https://www.cpac.ca/public-record/episode/ottawa-conference-on-security-and-defence--day-2?id=ef8e9c82-dc7c-4ee3-a272-e3bece613a43
The Arctic is so vast. On a return flight from Inuvik there were military service members sitting in the back of the plane. The poor souls looked wiped! Frostbitten,cold,sore and tired. They all still had their white camo gear on. I had a strong feeling of pride for these soldiers. It was such a reassurance and feeling of security to see them,after their Arctic training. Thank you for your service ladies and gentlemen. To all the members of our land,air and sea forces. Thank you
Thank you for conducting the interview and publishing it now. It is likely that had you not finished editing for publication at this point, you would likely have had to wait until early May to do so.
The General's comments about everthing were helpful, but it was good to know that some progress is being made to solidify our Arctic defence effort.
We need to start building infantry section level drones. Cheap, easy to produce. And we absolutely must recruit with a mind to what is coming.
And this is something Canada could easily, easily afford and would also have clear economic development value. Money to building this capability would naturally be widely regionly spead. Indeed, a great first step would be to offer successful Ukrainian drone producers to set up Canadian branch plants as launch points for international expansion.
Thanks for this. The timing also makes me realize, I don’t want an election called tomorrow. I wish it was a month or more later so we don’t have an artificial Carney high. But that’s probably my western Canada preferences talking.
Agree. But here we are today, election called.
Trump is the best gift the Liberals could have hoped for. They cannot believe their good luck, I am sure. They do seem to have a lucky star shining over them, unfortunately .
I hope it doesn’t last because I do not see Carney as much of a difference from the Trudeau party and policies.
I exclude his blatant poaching of Conservative policies and pretending they are his own.
When will we be rid of the Liberals? I not a big fan of the Conservatives but we need a change, badly. They will do and they are not the far right loons the Liberals pretend they are.
In my view, the Conservatives suffer from what I like to call "Boeing syndrome".
Just as Boeing merged with McDonnell Douglas Corporation in 1997, the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada merged with the Canadian Reform Alliance in 2003.
The thing is, like Boeing, which was essentially "eaten" by McDonnel Douglas (and has been suffering the consequences ever since), the PC's were "eaten" by the CRA.
What that means is that the prairie populism of the Reform Alliance, together with the "maple MAGA" sensibilities of a strong but influential minority of the Conservative Party, has encouraged the party to adopt positions that are unsettling to many Canadian voters.
As Paul Wells and others have recently observed, Pierre Poilievre and his main advisor, Jennie Byrne, were intent on winning the next election on the basis of their populist and, until recently, overtly "maple MAGA" political ideology.
If the Conservatives led by Mr Poilievre lose this election, I'll wager that this will likely be the main reason why.
We do need a viable centrist alternative to the Liberals in Ottawa. Alas, the Conservatives as presently construed do not appear willing to play that role.
I was so happy to see someone asking a senior Canadian military officer that drone question.
Thanks Matt, an excellent, informative piece. While I remain concerned about the seeming lack of commitment and focus by anyone at the political level, it is clear the CAF is ready! The only question I have is are they ready to ween themselves from the absolute dependence on the US.
A great piece, cannot thank you enough for this. It should be outside the paywall and in every newspaper. I am relieved to hear such conon sense. We need to ramp up funding now not just on planes but creating the Arctic vision that is there.
Such a timely and excellent interview Matt💕
What I would have asked if the interview went on - about priorities - who actually establishes these? And #1 defending Canada and the North American continent - should this be reconsidered - focus on Canada... And how do we define "defence" now?