Little Belgian boy saluting Canadian Troops

Clive - I have deep respect for what the Canadian army did in WWII and earlier. What it has become is but a shell of what it was. The few, brave Canadians who serve are to be applauded and thanked. The condition of the Canadian armed forces is sad and a political statement about the times and socialist policies that exist in Canada. The Canadian army is underfunded, under-equipped and undermanned. That is not a slight against the servicemen. It is a slight against the Canadian government - full of PC, pacifistic and afraid to offend or assert itself. More scared of being thought bad of by Europe than willing to do what is right. So, let's look at some facts: At the end of WWII, Canada had the world's 3rd largest navy, today it is what? Three destroyers, 12 frigates, 2 supply ships, 4 subs, 12 coastal defense vessils. At the end of WWII, Canadian forces were feared. Today? Best I can tell, Canada can field 2 brigades (Canadian Brigade Group and Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group). Again, not a slight about the quality of the servicemen - those that serve are tough, disciplined and capable. It is the lack of quantity, even adjusted for the size of Canada's population and the lack of quality equipment. Hence my comment about the volume of Canadian soldiers. And, anyone who knows anything about Belgium should wish that patriotic and promising child a life as an adult in a country outside of Islamoeurope, which it will be when he is an adult.

I agree that Canada has, during decades of Liberal and Red Tory governments (mainly Liberal), starved the military budget.

But you may have noticed that we now have a Conservative government (note, not "Progressive Conservative" (Red Tory)). The Tories have started improving the military budgets. This in spite of being a minority government in a parliamentary system in which losing a confidence vote can provoke a general election. This includes upgrading armour, newer mark tanks, additional C130s, four new C17s on a rush purchase basis, M777 howitzers bought on an urgent basis from the USMC. We have Chinooks on order and new choppers on order from Sikorsky to replace the Sea Kings embarked on our frigates.

Canada has acquired and deployed interim purchase of older mark Chinooks from the US forces pending acquisition of the latest mark from the manufacturer. Also recently deployed are Griffiths armed with Gatling guns.

FWIW our battle groups are built around battalions of three senior regiments: the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, the Royal Canadian Regiment and Le Royal 22e Régiment. Units from other outfits such as the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) and the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery as well as personnel from various reserve regiments across Canada are incorporated into the battle groups.

I do thank you for your compliments of our serving personnel.

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