Time To Disband Canada’s Military Armed Forces?

HalifaxLive ^ | October 6, 2004 | Clinton P. Desveaux

[quidnunc]

If one buys into the notion of the sovereign state, then one must buy into the notion that the first and primary role of the sovereign state is the defence of the geographical borders and the individuals who reside within the sovereign state.

An important question should be asked pertaining to Canada’s Armed Forces; is it time to abandon the defence of the nation? The time has come for the collective welfare state activists to seriously think about the most important role of the nation, which by the way is not free health care and welfare…

Now before anyone goes off on a tangent, and starts writing threatening E-Mails directed in my direction, maybe you should ask yourself if you really support the military?

We have 50 year-old helicopters falling out of the sky, instead of hovering above the ground as science intended… Furthermore our helicopters are incapable of defending the crews aboard if ever involved in direct combat.

The main combat and defence weapon Canada has are over flown 30-year old CF-18’s, in case you didn’t know a great deal of the existing fleet have been grounded due to airframe stress and cracks. Also in case anyone was wondering the jets have 2 runway locations: One in Quebec and one in Alberta, this is one of the largest geographical nations on earth with 3 ocean boarders; so if an emergency happened in Newfoundland, it seems highly doubtful any aircraft would arrive on time to act.

-snip-

[quidnunc]

Sad.

Denmark is looking to lay claim to the North Pole and Canada won't be able to say them nay.

This is truly pathetic!

[alloysteel]

Canada still HAS armed forces?

Didn't their submarine just sink? Or was it an engine fire? And isn't their helicopter out of service?

[MikefromOhio]

Canada has a military? Wow...


I thought they only had Mounties....

[jackmercer]

Will anyone even notice if they disband their military?

[coconutt2000]

Actually, I'm in favor of them disbanding their armed forces. It will make it easier for us to invade them later. ;-) j/k

[Smoote]

Disband it. Canada can always call the French or Germans if they need military help.

[68skylark]

I'd like to quibble with the opening sentence. Today, I think a country's "borders" are more moral than geographic.

No one is going to attack Canada's geography (partly because no one wants it, and partly because they'd have to take on the United States).

But our morality and shared values are very much under attack. They need to be defended each day. Canada's uniformed folks have performed heroically. But the government (and a majority of Canadian voters) have been AWOL.

[MinuteGal]

Canada has four military to disband......two sled K-9's plus Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald.

Leni

[hc87]

CF-18s have been flying since 1974? Uh huh. I have a bridge in Brooklyn for this young man if he thinks that.

[drtom]

How can you lay claim to frozen international waters? There is no terra firma anywhere near the north pole.

[jackmercer]

Canadian Infantry

[jackmercer]

Canadian Infantry

[ken5050]

Disband the whole country..

[an amused spectator]

They'll still be able to menace other nations with their Toronto Naval Museum...

[William Martel]

Isn't the fact that they are willing to even consider disbanding their military a sign that they don't REALLY believe us to be as militaristic as they claim we are?

I mean, if I had an "imperialist military state" south of my borders as they accuse us of being, I certainly wouldn't want LESS protection...

[Bandaneira]

Canada is a vast country with abundant natural resources. Many other nations would be envious of the resources Canada has at its disposal. For Canada not to have a viable Defence Force seems a ridiculous proposition. A standing army, navy and air force can assist in many peace time activities, such as in the case of national emergencies resulting from natural disasters.

[JesseJane]

What's a Canada? :)

[quidnunc]

drtom wrote: How can you lay claim to frozen international waters? There is no terra firma anywhere near the north pole.

The Danes want to demonstrate that the seabed around the North Pole is an extension of the Greenland shelf.

The suspicion is that there is oil there.

[cricket]

"Will anyone even notice if they disband their military?"

When they need help - we will notice.

[M Kehoe]

You're right, it is sad. Then again, who wants to invade Canada? No one that I can think of.

Well, then again, maybe Laz?

5.56mm