
Canada's military priorities: more troops, closer relations with U.S. CBC \|\| February 27, 2006 Related - Canada's "Secret" Contribution to the War in Iraq Related - Canada shares blame for Haiti's mess Related - Hillier asks Canadians to support mission to Afghanistan Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor says his vision for the Canadian Armed Forces is for more troops in the ranks and closer ties with the United States. The Conservatives made a long list of promises to the military during the election campaign. But O'Connor says the new government's defence policy can be summed up in a few words. "It's about having a three-ocean navy, a robust army and a revitalized air force," he said in Ottawa on Thursday. "Increasing the strength of the Canadian Forces to at least 75,000 regular force personnel is a clear priority. We will also intend to increase the reserve force by 10,000." Under this plan Canada will eventually have more than 100,000 full-time and part-time soldiers. The Conservatives have also promised to build new icebreakers, buy the air force new planes and boost the military's presence across the country. They've pledged $5.3 billion in new defence spending over five years. But some believe that figure is too low. "It's going to require a much, much bigger budget than the Conservatives have let on," said David Rudd of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies in Toronto. Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com "The cumulative price of all these promises, both the extra people, the northern training areas, the icebreakers, the territorial defence units, plus strategic lift, that's going to go far beyond the $5.3 billion that the government has promised." Liberal Leader Bill Graham was defence minister in the previous government. He agrees with Rudd and said Canadians may not realize just how much it will cost to fulfill the Conservatives promises. "The cost factor will be very substantial. I mean far in excess of anything they talked about." But new troops and equipment aren't the only priorities for the new Conservative government. O'Connor said another goal will be strengthening military ties with the United States. He said Canada will sign a new North American Aerospace Defence Command agreement with Washington within months. The new deal would expand Norad's role so that Canada and the U.S. share responsibilities for patrolling the waters off North America. As for the the contentious issue of missile defence, O'Connor said the government is open to restarting talks with the U.S. But he said Washington would have to initiate those discussions. O'Connor said before Canada signs on to any deal, the government will put it to a vote in the House of Commons. About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Weekly Features Archive
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Canada's military priorities: more troops, closer relations with U.S.

CBC || February 27, 2006

Related - Canada's "Secret" Contribution to the War in Iraq

Related - Canada shares blame for Haiti's mess

Related - Hillier asks Canadians to support mission to Afghanistan

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor says his vision for the Canadian Armed Forces is for more troops in the ranks and closer ties with the United States.

The Conservatives made a long list of promises to the military during the election campaign. But O'Connor says the new government's defence policy can be summed up in a few words. Martin and Harper Shake Hands

"It's about having a three-ocean navy, a robust army and a revitalized air force," he said in Ottawa on Thursday. "Increasing the strength of the Canadian Forces to at least 75,000 regular force personnel is a clear priority. We will also intend to increase the reserve force by 10,000."

Under this plan Canada will eventually have more than 100,000 full-time and part-time soldiers.

The Conservatives have also promised to build new icebreakers, buy the air force new planes and boost the military's presence across the country.

They've pledged $5.3 billion in new defence spending over five years. But some believe that figure is too low.

"It's going to require a much, much bigger budget than the Conservatives have let on," said David Rudd of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies in Toronto.

Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com

"The cumulative price of all these promises, both the extra people, the northern training areas, the icebreakers, the territorial defence units, plus strategic lift, that's going to go far beyond the $5.3 billion that the government has promised."

Liberal Leader Bill Graham was defence minister in the previous government. He agrees with Rudd and said Canadians may not realize just how much it will cost to fulfill the Conservatives promises.

"The cost factor will be very substantial. I mean far in excess of anything they talked about."

But new troops and equipment aren't the only priorities for the new Conservative government.

O'Connor said another goal will be strengthening military ties with the United States.

He said Canada will sign a new North American Aerospace Defence Command agreement with Washington within months.

The new deal would expand Norad's role so that Canada and the U.S. share responsibilities for patrolling the waters off North America.

As for the the contentious issue of missile defence, O'Connor said the government is open to restarting talks with the U.S. But he said Washington would have to initiate those discussions.

O'Connor said before Canada signs on to any deal, the government will put it to a vote in the House of Commons.

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