Canadian Forces In Very Bad Shape, Report Says

Canadian Press | 9-26-01 | John Ward

[My Favorite Headache]

Wednesday, Sep. 26, 2001

Canadian Forces in very bad shape, report says

By JOHN WARD-- The Canadian Press

OTTAWA (CP) -- Amid a world girding for a war on terrorism, the Canadian Forces are in sad shape, unable to fight against the best and win, a major defence group concludes in a new report.

The army can field little more than company-sized units of 150 or so in a crisis and the navy and air force are falling short in their responsibility to guard the airways and sea lanes while meeting overseas commitments, the Conference of Defence Associations says.

The conference, an umbrella group representing a variety of defence-oriented organizations, is to release the damning report, entitled Caught in the Middle, on Thursday. It cites a litany of military shortcomings and calls for at least $1 billion in new defence spending over each of the next five years.

"Today, the Canadian Forces could not (as required by the 1994 white paper) 'fight against the best and win' beyond a marginal level," the report says.

The Forces are short of money and trained manpower to the point where the army would not be able to field a brigade-size contingency force within 90 days as required by the white paper, the conference says.

"The army is not sustainable under the current circumstances."

The report says the army can't even maintain its 1,800-member contingent in Bosnia if it wants to modernize and be able to respond to any other crisis.

The navy is so short of sailors that one of its destroyers is tied up for lack of a crew.

"The navy will not be able to deliver its mandated level of maritime defence capability without additional resources."

The air force has a pilot shortage that is bound to get worse before it gets better.

"The air force is 'one deep' in many areas and has lost much of its flexibility and redundancy."

The group says the title of the report "implies that the Canadian Forces currently inhabit the worst of two worlds: conventional military capacities are in decline; new capabilities are unaffordable."

The conference blames government stinginess for the troubles, despite modest increases in defence spending in recent years.

"Canada spends only $265 per capita on defence. The NATO average is $589."

The defence minister's office refused to comment on the report. Defence Minister Art Eggleton, who was in Brussels attending a NATO meeting, wasn't available.

The report gives the Forces a failing grade when it comes to the ultimate test of any military: the ability to fight.

"The low level of collective training, the unsatisfactory state of some weapons and equipment and the lack of logistics support would make engagement in combat operations problematic without resolving those shortfalls."

As Canadians wonder what military help Canada might provide to the U.S. in the war on terrorism, the report states:

"The situation will not improve until Canadians and their government realize that the cost of effective armed forces is the price of doing business in the modern world.

"Nations, particularly those in the G-7 group, who shirk their duties in this respect may anticipate unfavourable treatment in the international economic domain."

[habs4ever]

I guess you would.Youse a putz, young man.

[dts32041]

But they increased the budget to steal peoples firearms, they can use those weapons for their Army.

You know I served with some Canadians in the 70's and 80's, they were some proud and professional soliders.

How they have fallen since the poofs up north got rid of their paras.

[katnip]

Why should these candy-asses waste their money on defense? They can sit around, sip their wine while insulting the U.S. and enjoy all their nice Social programs. All comfy with the knowledge the Real men in the U.S. will protect their butts in the event of war.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

So basically if the baby seals revolted, they could take over Newfoundland? Wow. But not really a shocker, half their country will be down here in Florida in 6 weeks trying to leave that Monopoly money at every Publix and McDonalds from coast to coast.

[SunStar]

Amid a world girding for a war on terrorism, the Canadian Forces are in sad shape, unable to fight against the best and win, a major defence group concludes in a new report.

Ahh... Socialism at work.

Plus, they know that they can count on the U.S. to bail them out if they ever get into a conflict, even though they don't seem to want to help us in our time of need.

[lavaroise]

If they shirk their defense responsibilities and rely on US welfare, then, when the soviets invade Canada, I advocate a burned Earth policy accross Canada.

[Go Gordon]

Are Candiens doing anything to fix the problems? If not, will the decline continue? If so, what will Canada do if it is attacked, rely on the USA to do the dirty work? Respectfully curious......Go Gordon

[NeoCaveman]

Candian ping

[Bommer]

Gee what are you going to do about it eh? Defect to America? AH-HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! Great White Losers Eh! Please take our guns and tax us to death. In turn give us Socialized medicine and we'll elect more Liberals eh? If America gets destroyed, the Canadians will set the record for surrendering faster than the French!

[Skibane]

[Renatus]

Thought that this would be a good time for us to take over the country, like after the revolution, but thought it over and decided we already have enough problems of our own.

[SunStar]

I heard during a town hall forum in Ontario the other night that was on that if a terrorist attack the way the one's that were planned on the 11th happened in Canada, that 40% of their entire population would be wiped out in 3 hours if done correctly. They said Western Canada has virtually no support out there and that they would have to wait 3-4 hrs for military cover!

There are plenty of planes and support south of the Canadian border. An attack on Canada wouldn't be much different than New York in the eyes of the U.S.

[Squantos]

I was thinking their supply of Labatt's 50 had expired then I remembered..........beer don't get old in Canada :o)

Stay Safe...

[Husker24]

I seen a special on MSNBC about Canada, there entire army only amounts to 19,000 soldiers including women, they also ONLY have 80 fighter planes. I always figured that the Canadian military was no Goliath but Geeeze man! We could take Canada in 5 minutes.

[SunStar]

Hey, meathead, it ain't funny...if it was your country, you wouldn't laugh, would you?

You're right, it isn't funny.

But I watched the Canadian election debate, and somehow Canada still managed to re-elect Jean C., AGAIN! Canada needs to work on rooting out the socialists, just as we do, and elect some conservative leaders.

[Chief Inspector Clouseau]

The sky is blue...film at 11...

[My Favorite Headache]

LMFAO!

[SunStar]

Ok, enough.You've had your fun.It's not a f'ing joke, and plenty of overtaxed Canadians are mighy pissed off with the situation, so don't be a prick and keep on keeping on with the Canada bashing.

Seconded. (From an American.)

Having said that, Canadians need to change their voting trends.

[habs4ever]

The decline will continue, as it is a Parliamentary system, so the Opposition gets nothing.Of course Canada would come running to the US, just as Mexico would, just as almost every damn country in the world does.We are your neighbour, have had a free ride, contribute on NORAD and provide Coast Guard expertise, but we are also nation that is smaller than California, so of course we appear, and are, weak.Would you like us to have an standing army the size of the Warsaw Pact? Probably not.

It makes for lots of yuks, but I think the US rather likes having a friendly neighbour that is non threatening and can do most of its trade with.Better us than France, huh?