Mr. Milewski’s underlying assumption in the article is stated in his byline: “Cost of Arctic patrol ships' design sparks warning of another procurement ‘fiasco.’ ” The facts offered in support of the article by the CBC include: Ottawa will pay Irving Shipbuilding $288 million just to design — not build […]
Peter MacKay
12 posts
The federal budget was delivered yesterday. Along with the usual complaints about ‘repackaging’ and ‘rebranding’ of existing funding into 'good news' stories, which have become the norm for Harper-style announcements, there was a stunning lack of information on the defence budget. As the largest discretionary component of federal spending, defence […]
*Moderator’s Note: This statement was made on 3 May 2012, in Ottawa. "Dedication of The Royal Canadian Navy Monument" “Thank you very much, [Minister of National Defence] Peter [MacKay], for that kind introduction and thank you also for your ongoing leadership as Minister of National Defence. Speaker Kinsella and fellow […]
*Moderator’s Note: The following address was delivered at a parliamentary reception on 15 November 2011. My thanks to Mr. David Smart for bringing it to my attention. "Navy Appreciation Day" Thank you Louise [Mercier], for that kind introduction. Louise, you have been both a personal friend, and a friend of […]
On Tuesday, 19 January, Murray Brewster of the Canadian Press filed a report that described the logistical problems confronting the Canadian Forces as they ramped up for Operation Hestia. Quoting Lt.-Col. Chris LeMay of Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Brewster reported: “In comparison to peacekeeping deployments in Bosnia and even the […]
*Moderator’s Note: reprinted with permission of the author from the 22 May edition of the Moncton Times and Transcript, Opinion Section. Nearly 70 years ago, at the beginning of the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Navy had a fleet of 10 warships. By April 1945, near the end of […]
It seems that these birds have escaped the chopping block for now, and the government will opt for a compromise on the AIMP continuation option that Col. Cable identified. On December 18, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced that at least ten CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft are to resume their […]
Defence Minister Peter MacKay says Ottawa isn't considering scrapping Canada's troubled submarine fleet. Full text here.
A wide-ranging discussion about the future of Canada's troubled submarine fleet is taking place at the highest levels of the Conservative government, say political and defence sources. The Privy Council Office and the Prime Minister's Office are examining whether to "scrap them altogether, upgrade the existing boats or buy new," […]
Murray Brewster’s article [The Globe and Mail, “DND may be shopping for new subs, sources say”] casts an interesting light on the future of Canada’s submarine fleet. The existing four Victoria-class submarines are consuming the largest portion of the navy’s maintenance budget. A midlife refit to keep them operating into […]