Canada: 'Bankrupt' Forces May Shut 5 Bases (Their MILITARY is BANKRUPT!?)

The National Post ^ | February 24, 2004 | Chris Wattie

[quidnunc]

Internal reports say $500M shortfall may cause closures from Winnipeg to Labrador

Canada's army, navy and air force are facing a funding shortfall of up to half a billion dollars, defence sources told the National Post, and the military is recommending drastic measures to make up the difference, including closing some of the largest bases in the country.

The federal government is stalling the release of internal documents that outline the looming financial crisis, but military sources said the reports indicate that in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, the air force expects to be $150-million short of funds needed to fulfill its commitments, the navy will be $150-million shy of its needs and the army will be as much as $200-million short.

The figures were submitted to General Ray Henault, the Chief of Defence Staff, last month by the heads of the land staff, the maritime staff and the air staff in anticipation of this year's defence budget.

The military sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the reports foresee a situation so dire that they recommend curtailing operations, dry-docking ships and mothballing vehicles or aircraft and closing at least four Canadian Forces bases.

Unless additional funding is awarded by the government, the air force is suggesting closing bases at Goose Bay, Nfld., Bagotville, Que., North Bay and Winnipeg, the sources said.

Further, the air force report says that unless its fleet of ageing CC-130 Hercules transport planes is replaced or modernized, the main transport base at Trenton should be closed within 10 years. "There won't be enough Hercs flying by then to justify keeping that base open," one air force source said.

The navy predicts it will not be able to live up to treaty obligations to NATO and other alliances and cannot carry out enough patrols of Canadian waters to comply with agreements with other government departments such as Immigration Canada or Fisheries and Oceans.

"We will not be able to meet our domestic defence obligations," one naval officer said.

-snip-

[68skylark]

This is so pathetic -- Canada has the lowest defense spending of any NATO country. Defense spending is a symbol for how much they believe in defending western values -- and we see their answer.

It's gotta be really frustrating for the folks in their armed forces -- those guys are among the very best in the world, and they've shed blood all over the world to fight for freedom (including recently in Afghanistan). It's gotta suck to get no backup from your elected leaders or from voters.

[albertabound]

The truth of the matter is, the only military attack on Canada came from you guys. Besides you owe us for helping you kick the Japanese out of Alaska in 1943.

[dead]

Yes you did! Thanks for that!

BTW, the Japanese would have headed for Canada next, just as those rampaging Tuvaluans won't stop at the Maine border.

[MegaSilver]

What is the American taxpayer supposed to save our ass from? We have never asked you for anything to my knowledge.

True, but there's more. The Liberal government's reluctance to cooperate with us on the border issue, coupled with their lax refugee policies, has (and will continue to) make the U.S. unnecessarily prone to small-scale jihadist attacks.

The libs decided to spend all the tax money on gun control and Quebec payola and now the chickens are coming home to roost and the Armed Forcess who hate the libs are building some nice big perches for the chickens to sit on. It is all about the coming election and about kicking the Liberals out on thier fat asses.

I hope you're right. The Liberal government has to go. If it doesn't, all of North America could be in danger.

[beebuster2000]

I beleive that should be:

all your base ARE belong to us

sorry

[Professional Engineer]

ROFLMAO

[AngryJawa]

It's like we have an unemployable brother-in-law living in our attic.

...but at least he keeps his fridge stocked with some good beer.

This has got to be a big embarassment to the few, but very competent Canadian troopers that helped us in Af'stan. IIRC, their snipers were especially top shelf and made a few record-breaking shots. Think they'll want to work for Uncle Sam?

[freebacon]

The time is ripe for invasion.

[American_Centurion]

INVADE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[albertabound]

Once we oust the hated liberals we will get our military back up to snuff. The libs have yet to institute a hockey stick registration so invaders will still have to deal with hoardes of highsticking Canucks until then.

[DustyMoment]

Canada has some great people, but their military is their problem. Let them figure out how to solve it themselves.

Perhaps they can raise taxes?

[Joe Boucher]

these asses in Canada have just spent in excess of 2 billion dollars in an attempt to register all guns in the country. WHY?
Now we learn that they are closing shop on what little means of defense they have?
Oh yeah, these leaches expect their neighbor to the south to protect them, thus alleviating them of paying taxes to do the job themselves.
Don't worry that nasty Uncle Sam to the South will handle canadas defense.

[BobS]

I hope you do something. A weak Canada is a security threat to the US because scumbags thrive in weak countries. OTOH, you can come down here and displace the Mexicans who displaced the blacks:)

[cmsgop]

lololololololololol !!!!!!!!!!

[killjoy]

Pretty sad when your country is vulnerable to an armed takeover by the military forces of Chad or Guyana.

Even more sad when your country is vulnerable and nobody wants to take it over....

[The KG9 Kid]

Indeed. What about that CDN $250 million that 'disappeared' recently. They even find out who took it?

some real brutal scandals going up in Canada right now. People giving away money to friends. What's going on up there, eh?

[killjoy]

INVADE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Why would we want it?

[albertabound]

America has plenty of potential terrorists now working in New Jersey 7/11/ stores. Our Alberta Mounties just caught 11 Korean Nationals at the Montana border so it is getting tougher for them to find the weak spots.

[The KG9 Kid]

Free wood.

[quidnunc]

freebacon wrote: The time is ripe for invasion.

No it isn't, at least not if you don't want another 32,000,000 yellow-dog Democrats here in the U.S..