Canadian Military Plan: FINALLY!

While there is never a shortage of American military news (either true or completely falsified), gripping and pertinent news releases regarding the Canadian military are much harder to come by.

Why?

Yes, we have our beloved peacekeeping role; and now our duties on the world stage (Afghanistan has claimed 7 of our years, and 77 of our soldiers by now), but isn't the Canadian military just like....a ...joke? It seems it must be, the way the US airmen I live with laugh when any aspect of our Canuck infantry is mentioned. Or the completely impassionate and non-urgent response that's elicited by most Canadians I live with.

The Canadian military is small, relatively powerless, and reminiscent of a child playing dress up in Daddy America's work clothes.

But not for long?

The Harper government stealthily released a plan to get in the game & beef up military spending the eve of June 19th. This after a cryptic speech regarding the plan (technically known as Canada First Defense Policy) 6 weeks prior. Critics cite the method by which the plan was released (namely sans fanfare and political hoopla) as suspicious, and noteworthy. I say I couldn't care less about the motives behind the Harper government posting the information at 12am vs. 12pm. What interests me is the content. How novel, you all say in unison.

Yes. Quite. Now let's take a look.

The proposed action?

490 Billion dollars spent on our Canadian Military. Over 20 years, of course. Specifically, this means 60 billion on desperately needed new equipment; necessary if Canada wants to remain competitive in its missions, at home or abroad. 15 billion of the proposed 60 has already been approved, and announced. A large portion of the 490 will also go towards military personnel themselves: training, living expenses, recruitment, morale. With the added funding, Canada hopes also to augment its membership by approximately 12 000. Also on the docket? 'training and maintenance of equipment', and 'military buildings and infrastructure'. (1).

The document states:

"This strengthened military will translate into enhanced security for Canadians at home as well as a stronger voice for Canada on the world stage." (1)

Unquestionably.



Despite the arguments regarding more 'appropriate spending' for this money, I, for one, feel this is long overdue. I have always been fiercely proud to call myself a Canadian. I'm ecstatic that I'll be able to quote such growth and foresight by our military system when defending it to my American comrades. The state of the world has defined parameters which we must adjust to: a well-equipped, capable military is necessary in this day and age. Not just to perform a war-fighting function, but also to perform the other functions Canadians oftentimes take for granted. The peacekeeping, of course. But also natural disaster relief, National defense, and even, the support of major national events (Vancouver 2010, anyone?).

Some may scoff at the proposal to spend billions on our uniformed men and women, fearing 'enmeshment with American foreign policy'(1). But while we are definitely being influenced by our neighbours to the South, we are not suddenly morphing into a similarly war-hungry nation; squandering tax money purely on weapons designed to destroy. To fund the military is to fund a secure future. At home, and abroad.

We are giving our soldiers the opportunity to perform their jobs to the best of their capabilities. Considering their sacrifices (of which i am very personally acquainted), I hardly see any rationale behind disputing the need for this. I should think that, in the event any of our nation's tax payers should find themselves in the middle of an attack, natural disaster, or crises of any sort, they will be the last to complain about the enhanced capacity of the very military who will be offering them salvation.

God forbid, of course.



1. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/20/military-plan.html#socialcomments