Justin Trudeau hints at boosting Canada’s military spending

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Castus]

Maybe not in some of the overinflated markets. But certainly in other markets.

A significant amount of Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen live in locations with over-inflated markets. These markets have, furthermore, become more and more the natural baseline for our country. I am deeply sceptical that any of these markets are going to deflate in any serious manner, but I think rather that we are looking towards a new normal where we are poorer than our parents generally were.

There is definitely merit in what you say but there are many variables to this. Location is a big part of it, as well as type of employment for both yourself and your spouse, along with the standard of living that you live.

My wife and I both drive Honda's (yes, I'm originally from Windsor and yes I don't drive cars from the 'Big Three', but my cars are manufactured here in Canada), me a 2008 Honda Civic and her a 2016 CRV. Our cars are 15 and 7yrs old respectively. I have zero expectations of selling my Civic in the next 2, maybe 3 or 4yrs and that CRV will mostly likely be around for another 5+yrs. Could I afford to go out right now and buy a 3 series BMW, yes, luckily I could do so, same with my wife. But I had an accountant for a father, who worked 42yrs with Chrysler Canada in the financial department and he drilled into my head and my brothers head - "a car is a depreciating asset, treat it as such' - meaning buy a good car and run it into the ground before you buy another. My brother drives a 2000(!) Dodge Dakota pick-up truck still, it has over 550,000km on it. He doesn't intend to sell it until it breaks 600,000km and I wouldn't be surprised if he changes his mind at 600,000 and looks for 650,000km. He is luckily in the same position as myself, he could have bought a new truck years ago, decades ago, but the current truck still does want he needs it to do - get him reliably from Point A to Point B in some comfort and safety.

Prices of houses have gone up but people's expectations as to what is 'normal' have gone up even higher in my opinion. Hell, I peel off stamps on envelopes that haven't been cancelled by Canada Post just so I can re-use them and not buy new ones, that's how frugal I can be. When out of walks I pick up and take home beer bottles or liquor bottles so I can return them for the deposit.

I don't live especially flamboyantly. I have a 12 year old car, and we had to sell my wife's car when we moved into this new house because we needed the money. If we think that this is normal for a mid-ranking NCO with 15 years of service, I'm not sure what to say. At least in the old days when we were really not paid well, people lived closer to base, there was an actual community throughout the units and more broadly into the members' families etc...

 

[OldSolduer]

That’s a lot of carbons for one helicopter just to respond to a call. Our convict environment minister gets off on letting people die as long as we meet our net zero goals.

BUT But But...he was defending the environment!!!

 

[daftandbarmy]

I don't live especially flamboyantly. I have a 12 year old car, and we had to sell my wife's car when we moved into this new house because we needed the money. If we think that this is normal for a mid-ranking NCO with 15 years of service, I'm not sure what to say. At least in the old days when we were really not paid well, people lived closer to base, there was an actual community throughout the units and more broadly into the members' families etc...

So what you're saying is "We were poor, but happy", right?

 

[TacticalTea]

So what you're saying is "We were poor, but happy", right?

And when I got home, our dad would kill us and dance about on our graves!

Always a joy!

 

[Spencer100]

That’s a lot of carbons for one helicopter just to respond to a call. Our convict environment minister gets off on letting people die as long as we meet our net zero goals.

Well not all true. Your Social Credit score will be check first. If you have a good score we can send the helicopter out, then add the CO2 cost to you Lifetime allotment. And when that is used up your MAiD home kit will be delivered to your sleeping cube.

And in the meantime here are some funny Tik Toks.

 

[Spencer100]

Well not all true. Your Social Credit score will be check first. If you have a good score we can send the helicopter out, then add the CO2 cost to you Lifetime allotment. And when that is used up your MAiD home kit will be delivered to your sleeping cube.

And in the meantime here are some funny Tik Toks.

Crap C-11 passed I forgot....The above comment was post by Funiture, or Quirky or somebody......I have been hacked and would never post something like that.

All hail the PM. He has beautiful hair and I long to be just like him. And I have preorder my copy of little red book of Justin Thoughts!

 

[daftandbarmy]

Crap C-11 passed I forgot....The above comment was post by Funiture, or Quirky or somebody......I have been hacked and would never post something like that.

All hail the PM. He has beautiful hair and I long to be just like him. And I have preorder my copy of little red book of Justin Thoughts!

Here it is, with all his thoughts

 

[Dana381]

Trudeau to NATO: Canada Will Never Meet Defence Spending Goal

new_item_en

www.canadiandefencereview.com

Edit; I just noticed this article is from April 20th and already discussed.

 

[daftandbarmy]

We'll see...

Richard Shimooka: As NATO allies grow impatient, Canada may be quietly planning major increase in defence spending​

There are credible signals that the government is at least considering a major increase in defence spending


The Washington Post recently reported that the latest leak of secret U.S. intelligence documents reveal that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has privately told NATO officials that Canada can never meet its funding commitment to the military alliance.

This is anything but a surprise to seasoned defence observers. The Liberal government has never promised to meet the long-stated (but never-achieved) target of NATO funding—the equivalent of two percent of Canada’s GDP—and it has long been clear that our allies have become privately frustrated with Canada’s reluctance to pull its weight.

These candid intelligence notes pierce through Ottawa’s messaging about Canada being a good ally and global citizen. They make it clear the government’s pronouncements for domestic consumption are unconvincing to our allies and have harmed the country’s credibility in foreign circles.

But here’s the surprising bit: it is not clear whether the situation described in the leaked document accurately captures the current moment in Canadian defence policy. In fact, there have been credible signals that the government is at least considering, if not outright planning, a major increase in defence spending. Perhaps this policy shift is a response to reproaches from allies in closed-door meetings, or it could be a political calculation to deflect criticism on what is traditionally one of the Liberal Party’s weakest files. The government is currently drafting a defence policy update to the 2017 Strong, Secure, Engaged defence policy, which may offer a strategic rationale for launching such a shift.

Whatever the reason, the hints of this shift are just emerging. It is nowhere to be seen in any major announcement, nor was it accounted for in the last budget. Rather, its indications are scattered across a range of signals, including during outlook sessions hosted by the Canadian Association of Security and Defence Industries (CADSI). These annual gatherings of Canada’s largest defence industry association have the chiefs of the Navy, Air Force, and Army speak of their respective priorities. These interactions have recently been accompanied by requests for information from potential vendors, as well as establishing new project staff in DND or other federal departments.

A provisional shopping list includes a wide variety of much-needed replacements for Canada’s defence systems, including for the Victoria Class Submarine. At potentially $60 billion, the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project alone would do much to bridge Canada’s funding shortfall.

However, there are also some surprising and new capabilities being considered, including an advanced airborne early warning aircraft with a powerful radar capacity for surveillance over large swaths of airspace. Other potential systems of note are a long-range rocket artillery system, like HIMARS, and potentially a lightweight mobile artillery platform, like the BAE Systems Archer. The Army is also moving to acquire a new tank to replace the Leopard 2 currently in service.

This scale of modernization program would be a significant step toward restoring Canada’s military to a more capable footing after a decade of neglect. Many of the capabilities being considered are critical for the Canadian Armed Forces to operate in a future combat environment. For example, HIMARS, and highly mobile tube artillery systems like the Archer or NEXTER’s Caesar, have been immensely effective in the war in Ukraine. Some experts claim (perhaps hyperbolically) the former was critical in turning the momentum of the war against the Russian Federation in the spring of 2022.

As NATO allies grow impatient, Canada may be quietly planning major increase in defence spending - The Hub

Canada's military credibility among our allies is declining. We must remedy our internal issues and arrest the country’s further slide towards irrelevance. But recent rumblings of increased defence spending are promising.

thehub.ca

 

[YZT580]

(sigh) I do have 10 acres for sale in Florida. Wouldn't it be nice. Or they are simply creating wooden tanks and inflatable guns. It is just as likely that by initiating the preliminary work they will deflect criticism for another couple of years and punt the whole thing past the next election. History would suggest that this is the most likely scenario

 

[Fabius]

I disagree with the article that the signals are indicating a shift in defence spending.

There are signs that in the next 5-10 years Canada will pursue the purchase of small limited numbers of weapons and equipment to bring NORAD and the aFP Bde elements in Latvia up to modern standards.

However I don’t see signs that the GoC,DND, or CAF are planning a complete upgrade of the CAF. Nor is there a long term plan to maintain such capabilities.

We are at a natural point in Canadian defence spending that we hit every 30-40 year or so where the equipment we bought 30-40 years ago is unworkable and must be replaced. We proceed to replace it with generally pretty decent modern systems then proceed to operate it until it bordering on obsolete and in unmaintainable.

CSC, F35,P8, NORAD and aFP will likely drive the budget up some but the political calculus in Ottawa won’t have changed I bet.

 

[CountDC]

( Or they are simply creating wooden tanks and inflatable guns.

Wooden tanks worked in WW2. One of the tricks Allies used.

 

[KevinB]

I disagree with the article that the signals are indicating a shift in defence spending.

There are signs that in the next 5-10 years Canada will pursue the purchase of small limited numbers of weapons and equipment to bring NORAD and the aFP Bde elements in Latvia up to modern standards.

However I don’t see signs that the GoC,DND, or CAF are planning a complete upgrade of the CAF. Nor is there a long term plan to maintain such capabilities.

We are at a natural point in Canadian defence spending that we hit every 30-40 year or so where the equipment we bought 30-40 years ago is unworkable and must be replaced. We proceed to replace it with FEWER pretty decent modern systems then proceed to operate it until it bordering on obsolete and in unmaintainable.

CSC, F35,P8, NORAD and aFP will likely drive the budget up some but the political calculus in Ottawa won’t have changed I bet.

FIFY
Also I suspect Canada will be forced to pony up for the Submarine replacement, and a Bde for the Pacific on top of that.
My guess is there will be some gradual increasing pressure on Canada to join AUKUS, as its the only 5E that operates Subs and doesn't have Nuke boats planned (NZ doesn't have any subs in their "Navy" Ships & watercraft)

 

[Halifax Tar]

FIFY
Also I suspect Canada will be forced to pony up for the Submarine replacement, and a Bde for the Pacific on top of that.
My guess is there will be some gradual increasing pressure on Canada to join AUKUS, as its the only 5E that operates Subs and doesn't have Nuke boats planned (NZ doesn't have any subs in their "Navy" Ships & watercraft)

Or we can slowly stop being invited to the 5 Eyes tree house until they just fold AUKUS into it and tell us we're service no longer required.

 

[KevinB]

Meanwhile

Lithuania readies ammunition buys worth $3.4 billion

Vilnius is also advancing its project to order 120 Boxer infantry fighting vehicles in a deal that could more than double its fleet of armored rides.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Spencer100]

Meanwhile

Lithuania readies ammunition buys worth $3.4 billion

Vilnius is also advancing its project to order 120 Boxer infantry fighting vehicles in a deal that could more than double its fleet of armored rides.

www.defensenews.com

Plus Denmark

Denmark proposes spending extra $5.7 billion for armed forces over 10 years

 

[OldSolduer]

Meanwhile

Lithuania readies ammunition buys worth $3.4 billion

Vilnius is also advancing its project to order 120 Boxer infantry fighting vehicles in a deal that could more than double its fleet of armored rides.

www.defensenews.com

That will not affect the thinking of the current GoC - This government sees no threat from any other nation, despite evidence to the contrary.

Lithuania and Denmark have seen the bear and it ain't friendly. We have seen a tiger - but we continue to deny its very existence.

 

[daftandbarmy]

That will not affect the thinking of the current GoC - This government sees no threat from any other nation, despite evidence to the contrary.

Lithuania and Denmark have seen the bear and it ain't friendly. We have seen a tiger - but we continue to deny its very existence.

Now, now.... I'm sure they're worried about running out of champagne

 

[Kirkhill]

Interesting article from the States

America Spends Less On Its Military Than You Think. Look At The Numbers.

The U.S. spends more on defense than other nations, but relative to the size of its economy military outlays are far from excessive.

www.forbes.com

US Economy	USD/Year	$ 27,000,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	1
	USD/Day	$ 73,921,971,252.57	Day/Year	365
	USD/Hour	$ 3,080,082,135.52	Hour/Year	8,766
	USD/Minute	$ 51,334,702.26	Minute/Year	525,960
	USD/Second	$ 855,578.37	Second/Year	31,557,600
Federal Budget	USD/Year	$ 6,800,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.25
	USD/Day	$ 18,617,385,352.50	Day/Year	92
	USD/Hour	$ 775,724,389.69	Hour/Year	2,208
	USD/Minute	$ 12,928,739.83	Minute/Year	132,464
	USD/Second	$ 215,479.00	Second/Year	7,947,840
Defense Budget	USD/Year	$ 886,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.033
	USD/Day	$ 2,425,735,797.40	Day/Year	12
	USD/Hour	$ 101,072,324.89	Hour/Year	288
	USD/Minute	$ 1,684,538.75	Minute/Year	17,259
	USD/Second	$ 28,075.65	Second/Year	1,035,557
Defense Research	USD/Year	$ 265,800,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.010
	USD/Day	$ 727,720,739.22	Day/Year	4
	USD/Hour	$ 30,321,697.47	Hour/Year	86
	USD/Minute	$ 505,361.62	Minute/Year	5,178
	USD/Second	$ 8,422.69	Second/Year	310,667
Defense Other	USD/Year	$ 620,200,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.023
	USD/Day	$ 1,698,015,058.18	Day/Year	8
	USD/Hour	$ 70,750,627.42	Hour/Year	201
	USD/Minute	$ 1,179,177.12	Minute/Year	12,081
	USD/Second	$ 19,652.95	Second/Year	724,890
Combat Vehicles	USD/Year	$ 3,800,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00014
	USD/Day	$ 10,403,832.99	Day/Year	0.051
	USD/Hour	$ 433,493.04	Hour/Year	1
	USD/Minute	$ 7,224.88	Minute/Year	74
	USD/Second	$ 120.41	Second/Year	4,441
USN Carrier	USD/Year	$ 12,400,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00046
	USD/Day	$ 33,949,349.76	Day/Year	0.17
	USD/Hour	$ 1,414,556.24	Hour/Year	4
	USD/Minute	$ 23,575.94	Minute/Year	242
	USD/Second	$ 392.93	Second/Year	14,493
US Missile Defence	USD/Year	$ 10,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00037
	USD/Day	$ 27,378,507.87	Day/Year	0.14
	USD/Hour	$ 1,140,771.16	Hour/Year	3
	USD/Minute	$ 19,012.85	Minute/Year	195
	USD/Second	$ 316.88	Second/Year	11,688
US Army Aircraft	USD/Year	$ 3,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00011
	USD/Day	$ 8,213,552.36	Day/Year	0.041
	USD/Hour	$ 342,231.35	Hour/Year	1
	USD/Minute	$ 5,703.86	Minute/Year	58
	USD/Second	$ 95.06	Second/Year	3,506
US Army Missiles	USD/Year	$ 7,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00026
	USD/Day	$ 19,164,955.51	Day/Year	0.095
	USD/Hour	$ 798,539.81	Hour/Year	2
	USD/Minute	$ 13,309.00	Minute/Year	136
	USD/Second	$ 221.82	Second/Year	8,182

Doing the same thing with Canada resulted in this

Canadian Economy	CAD/Year	$ 2,200,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	1
	CAD/Day	$ 6,023,271,731.69	Day/Year	365
	CAD/Hour	$ 250,969,655.49	Hour/Year	8,766
	CAD/Minute	$ 4,182,827.59	Minute/Year	525,960
	CAD/Second	$ 69,713.79	Second/Year	31,557,600
Federal Budget	CAD/Year	$ 465,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.21
	CAD/Day	$ 1,273,100,616.02	Day/Year	77
	CAD/Hour	$ 53,045,859.00	Hour/Year	1,853
	CAD/Minute	$ 884,097.65	Minute/Year	111,169
	CAD/Second	$ 14,734.96	Second/Year	6,670,129
Defense Budget	CAD/Year	$ 25,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.011
	CAD/Day	$ 68,446,269.68	Day/Year	4
	CAD/Hour	$ 2,851,927.90	Hour/Year	100
	CAD/Minute	$ 47,532.13	Minute/Year	5,977
	CAD/Second	$ 792.20	Second/Year	358,609
NATO 2%	CAD/Year	$ 44,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.020
	CAD/Day	$ 120,465,434.63	Day/Year	7
	CAD/Hour	$ 5,019,393.11	Hour/Year	175
	CAD/Minute	$ 83,656.55	Minute/Year	10,519
	CAD/Second	$ 1,394.28	Second/Year	631,152
Operations	CAD/Year	$ 824,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.005
	CAD/Day	$ 30,116,358.66	Day/Year	2
	CAD/Hour	$ 1,254,848.28	Hour/Year	44
	CAD/Minute	$ 20,914.14	Minute/Year	2,630
	CAD/Second	$ 348.57	Second/Year	157,788
Ready Forces	CAD/Year	$ 11,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00037
	CAD/Day	$ 2,255,989.05	Day/Year	0.137
	CAD/Hour	$ 93,999.54	Hour/Year	3
	CAD/Minute	$ 1,566.66	Minute/Year	197
	CAD/Second	$ 26.11	Second/Year	11,820
Defence Team	CAD/Year	$ 3,800,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00173
	CAD/Day	$ 10,403,832.99	Day/Year	0.63
	CAD/Hour	$ 433,493.04	Hour/Year	15
	CAD/Minute	$ 7,224.88	Minute/Year	908
	CAD/Second	$ 120.41	Second/Year	54,509
Future Force Design	CAD/Year	$ 887,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00040
	CAD/Day	$ 2,428,473.65	Day/Year	0.15
	CAD/Hour	$ 101,186.40	Hour/Year	4
	CAD/Minute	$ 1,686.44	Minute/Year	212
	CAD/Second	$ 28.11	Second/Year	12,723
Procurement of Capabilities	CAD/Year	$ 4,750,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00216
	CAD/Day	$ 13,004,791.24	Day/Year	0.789
	CAD/Hour	$ 541,866.30	Hour/Year	19
	CAD/Minute	$ 9,031.11	Minute/Year	1,136
	CAD/Second	$ 150.52	Second/Year	68,136
Bases, IT and Infrastructure	CAD/Year	$ 4,530,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00206
	CAD/Day	$ 12,402,464.07	Day/Year	0.752
	CAD/Hour	$ 516,769.34	Hour/Year	18
	CAD/Minute	$ 8,612.82	Minute/Year	1,083
	CAD/Second	$ 143.55	Second/Year	64,980
Internal Services	CAD/Year	$ 904,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00041
	CAD/Day	$ 2,475,017.11	Day/Year	0.150
	CAD/Hour	$ 103,125.71	Hour/Year	4
	CAD/Minute	$ 1,718.76	Minute/Year	216
	CAD/Second	$ 28.65	Second/Year	12,967

A Billion Canadian Dollars costs the Canadian Economy about 4 hours of productive labour, communally, per year.

Reference	CAD/Year	$ 1,000,000,000.00	Year/Year	0.00045
	CAD/Day	$ 2,737,850.79	Day/Year	0.166
	CAD/Hour	$ 114,077.12	Hour/Year	4.0
	CAD/Minute	$ 1,901.29	Minute/Year	239
	CAD/Second	$ 31.69	Second/Year	14,344

 

[daftandbarmy]

Aw, so cute.... the new kid is already getting into the NATO tradition of Canada shaming

NATO's 2 per cent military spending benchmark is 'self-evident': Finnish president​

The president of NATO's newest member nation said the military alliance's two per cent defence spending target seems "self-evident" to him — even as a debate rages over the fact that most NATO members, Canada included, are not meeting the target.

In an interview airing Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said the Nordic country is committed to its current level of defence spending — around two per cent of GDP. NATO members pledged in 2006 to spend two per cent of their national GDP on defence.

"I think that it's self-evident ... To me, as a Finn, we usually do what we agree [to do]," Niinistö told host Rosemary Barton.

"It's an agreement. To follow it is self-evident."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/finald-president-nato-target-1.6832310?cmp=newsletter_Morning%20Headlines%20from%20CBC%20News_1613_1039028