By David Dunlop, 2 October 2023
Here we go again folks! The Canadian government is again asking the Canadian Armed Forces to do its part and find $1B in defence cuts as part of the government budget cuts that were announced in the spring. The CAF should be excluded from these cuts as it will definitely impact defence readiness at a time when the CAF can ill afford to do anything more and is just trying to hang on. The Minister of Defence Bill Blair has said this is not a cut at all. This seems to be no more than a political move to protect government interests and has little to do with helping National Defence. The Chief of the Defence Staff offered his reservations on this topic. Please see the following articles.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/canada-push-axe-1b-military-024438736.html
16 thoughts on “Cuts to Defence Budget”
What a laughable joke. Government tells to cut a billion dollars from the defense budget and minister Blair stands up and says it’s not a cut. Canadians are not that stupid nor are our allies. How does this relate to going towards our 2% of GDP for defense? Or is it that easy just to say it and disregard later? We are not a trusted ally.
I feel the politicians in this country have generally believed there are ‘no votes’ in foreign policy and national security issues so they deprioritize them. However, Canadian attitudes on these issues is shifting. I don’t believe many politicians realize this.
Hello Justin. Could not agree with you more! This “political” decision by the Trudeau government may come back to ‘bite them in the rear’ in the next election! You are absolutely correct. Canadian public attitudes have most definitely changed and shifted to the right over the past several years. Putin’s non-winnable war on Ukraine has been one of the key factors for this and this government is out of touch with most Canadians now and doesn’t realize it!
Canada is fast becoming the leach of NATO if it isn’t already there. We have warships and submarines that are now obsolete and need replacing yet somehow the program to replace them is still going through the motions and Sharad’s.
Our allies are looking at us disdainfully quite disgusted with the way we do things here and laughing at us because in their view quite frankly we couldn’t take on anything more than a few armed fishing boats.
It’s probably not going to get any better any time soon so I’m glad in on the outside not the inside.
Good morning all,
The attached article should give pause to all those who think that a change of government will usher in a “golden age” at DND replete with large and growing budgets, strong and consistent political and public support, the end of “wokeism” and the return to a “manly” (1950s) military, and increasingly responsive defence procurement.
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/ivison-canadas-uncontrolled-military-program-plundering
Some might argue that John Ivison’s article is simply an opinion piece meant to fill column inches. However, I would suggest that it also provides a way-ahead for any new government that wants to save a ton of money to invest in its pet slogans while cutting taxes and pretending to be new, innovative, and efficient in matters of defence.
If Mr Ivison had his way, the CSC would be cut in favour of another, cheaper frigate design, that would have to be built in American shipyards in order to get the cost savings that he claims that the USN will obtain with its Constellation-class frigates. The end result of all this would likely be: a massive cut (sorry savings) in defence spending, years of delay in fielding new frigates, surrender of control of the new “CSC” project to the vagaries of the US Congress, maintenance of a declining number of Halifax-class frigates in service long past their best-before date, the loss of the recently rebuilt shipbuilding capability in Halifax, and endless screams from the usual crowd about “how did DND let things get so badly messed up.”
For those who feel that political change will automatically solve whatever they dislike about DND and defence procurement, I would simply say “be careful for what you wish!”
Ubique.
Les
John Ivison is just another David Pugliese in disguise and we all know how objective that one is. Like I have said before at least 3 ships will be built in the first flight which is at least a decade away. New governments, the economy, world security situation, crewing, white papers and many other factors may drive the program being adjusted in that time period. It may lead us to have another class of ship or it may not. To be perfectly honest we can’t spend the money we already get due to a broken procurement system anyways and there are segments of the military that can stand for some belt tightening.
Where would you suggest Ted, the military do some “belt tighting” as you say? Personnel? I doubt that, as we are at least 12-16,000 short as it is now! No, not there. How about less Navy? With the Halifax class on its last legs unable to commit its ships that can properly go to sea to any major world crises for a rapid response; with CSC Frigates still in the “Design Phase”; Submarines that need replacement now and new subs not even on the drawing board yet and should be here like, yesterday; The JSS program being way far behind schedule (the first one should be out there now refueling the so called “fleet”); The AOPS program seems to be the only “play in town” for now. No, not much “belt tightening” there I’m afraid Ted. How about the Army? Yes, there’s an idea! Let’s cut them to the bone and not give them any updated equipment say, for the next decade or so! No, I don’t think so! Ahhhh, the Air Force! How about these fine people? With A/C that need to be replaced promptly, probably the most of all. Let’s go below the minimum # of F-35s and give them only half of what they need. That would really help now wouldn’t it? Let’s see….anything else we could do to this “belt tightening” concept for the RCAF. How about we don’t fund any new Air Force projects for the foreseeable future and see how the flyers like that! I know, let’s defund NORAD! No, let’s get out of NORAD & NATO entirely! That would really do the trick, eh? No, I’m afraid the CAF has already given & given & given and for the next 20-30 years at least, it is now time for the Canadian government to “give back” to our military what they have literally stolen from the CAF all in the name of “Belt Tightening” (read government votes). Just think what would happen if the government did just that! We could always get rid of the CAF entirely and have the defence of this country rely on our southern neighbours for Canada’s security and sovereignty. You cannot be serious about this and must be joking? As I have always said: “WE HAVE DONE SO MUCH, WITH SO LITTLE, FOR SO LONG, THAT NOW, WE ARE READY TO DO ANYTHING WITH NOTHING….FOREVER!” Time to reject any of this, and get on with the business of improving our Defence now and into the future! A 2%+ jump in GDP as NATO is now insisting as the ground-floor entry into NATO membership would also help out our “belt-tightening” CAF now! In my opinion of course!
Nobody likes a reduction is budget but it’s not the end of the world. ALL departments in the GOC are facing cuts not just the CAF and not just the RCN. We all have to share in this. We don’t have much choice and there is no “rejecting” this so all the ranting in the world is not going to change that fact. There is plenty we can do to make things more cost effective. For instance we can reduce the number of Flag Officers and Generals. Compared to other militaries we are way overburdened with these personnel. Secondly reduce the amount of consultants and cut back on TD and rely more on virtual meetings. There are all sorts of things we can do to save money without interfering with operations. No one is talking about defunding any of our international obligations or any of our procurements.
Yes Ted. There are some things that could and should be done to save a “few bucks”. We have the most Top Down leadership in the world of all militaries. There could be some savings there if we eliminated at least half of the General, Flag Officer and Admiral positions in the CAF, but that still wouldn’t fix our personnel shortage problems. But to cut 1B CAD from defence at a time when they need every nickle is not what the government should be thinking of. The CDS has effectively said as much, and I am surprised he has not resigned over this issue! Savings of 15-17B CAD on the overall budget as is “REQUIRED” by the Trudeau government should not come at the expense of our troops! Yes, we can save on less consultants and less TD travel but that would only infuriate our allies even more. The CAF has been asked to do this so many times before that it is getting to the point where that kind of ask is beginning to have a detrimental effect on CAF operations and will lead to a massive defunding of the CAF and our relations with our allies will only become more worrisome. Let the other departments save the money for a change and leave the CAF alone for a change!
Well people this is nothing but an embarrassment. I hear/read, cut this and that, maybe a lesser ship and get a cheaper one. Cut a general or 2 might help, less travel, etc, etc. Government stands up in Nato and agrees to 2% of GDP for defense, 6 months later, let’s cut a billion dollars. How’s that helping? Everything we own is out dated and over due for replacement, but not to sound like a broken record billions found for other projects. I just read that our soldiers are seriously looking for handouts so they can survive while being in the forces. Is it that bad our soldiers are begging?
You can not publish this post or block if you like, but damn it, we are truly an embarrassment to all Canadians.
Ron. What you say is unfortunately very true. Soldiers, Sailors & Air Force personnel are indeed looking not to having to go to food banks for help and find housing for their wives & children but it is indeed the case. Our leaders must take this to task soonest! Perhaps spend that $1B Defence cut on those folks instead of just cutting to “do our part” as the MND has alluded to. Most of the Canadian people would love to see that instead of what is being shoved down their throats. You can’t eat a Defence cut!
The world is getting more dangerous. And the US is beginning to withdraw from some global operations. Yet Canada thinks it’s a good idea to make cuts to defence. I sometimes wonder what reality or vacuum the politicians exist in.
DND/CAF has been doing its part for years by under-spending its budget by almost $1B annually. Its contribution to austerity has already been made. Asking for further cuts while refusing to call it a cut makes the new MND and the government look foolish.
I believe that DND’s inability to spend its budget is exactly what the government wants, otherwise there would be a concerted effort by Cabinet and the central agencies to remedy the situation.
I think that’s exactly right, Bill. For example, there has been a lot of concern about our stocks of artillery shells because so many have been given to Ukraine. Turns out (I’m going from memory, but I think this was reported by Murray Brewster at CBC) they have standing orders with two Canadian suppliers, which includes a provision to surge production at need. No new contract needed. They just have to place the order.
hi David, I remember you saying it took decades for Australia to develop their amphibious capabilities. I was wondering if you had any background knowledge on South Korea? I note their program has progressed quite rapidly and they are now looking to procure an aircraft carrier.
The Korean CVX program has been on and off more times than a light switch, they may get a hull in the near future but right now as of their budget 2023/24 it’s not a funded program.
The work up if completed takes quite some time, even China has taken many years to get comfortable with carrier ops. You’re talking if they put the hull in the water today, you’d probably be looking at 8-10 years before they are comfortable with it.