There's little to say about the tragedy of Canada's response to the tsunami tragedy that hasn't already been said. A lot of excuses have been bandied about for why Canadian soldiers weren't sent, when Australia, Taiwan, Israel, and other countries despatched forces early, and the American military launched its largest operation in the area since Vietnam to try to save lives.In the end, though, the answer's pretty simple: 600 tonnes.
That's the amount of airlift required to move the DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team). Since Canada only has the 4 CC-150 Polaris (modified Airbuses) for strategic airlift, with a cargo capacity of 13 tonnes each, rapid deployment of DART anywhere outside the effective ferry range of our 30-odd additional short-range Herc transports (ie, off this continent) was a mathematical impossibility, without civilian airlift... and civilian airlift is in pretty short supply at the moment. . . .
The lack of airlift was a conscious decision, based on the little remarked-upon shift in the tail-end Chretien period, during John McCallum's time as defence minister. . . . "The world needs more Canada," Bono said. Well, it's unlikely at the moment to get it, at least not in the uniformed variety.
IMO, Canada's military priorities should be along the lines of recruitment, training for said recruits, improved equipment for all soldiers, airlift capacity, new multi-purpose supply ships (as proposed by the Conservatives) and helicopters (in progress ... sort of). Then, follow this this up with jets for the Air Force and destroyers/subs for the Navy.
Sadly, the libs just don't get it.