The “Information Dissemination” blog—a military-centric blog from the U.S., gives the Harper Conservatives the thumbs up on yesterday’s Canada First Defence Strategy.
While they cite the fact that it concentrates on people, in particular, in addition to equipment and technology, I think what’s also important in this announcement is that it establishes a good, general, long-term rebuilding strategy—just a vision enunciated verbally—that all Canadians can picture—and it’s one which therefore isn’t mired in military detail. (They should do the same for the Afghanistan mission generally, and often.)
Observing the Canada First Defense Strategy
It isn’t often we observe politicians use the word strategy correctly and in accurate context, but we admit to being impressed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper today. The Tory’s [sic] won the election with promises of improving the condition of the military, and it is going to take someone a lot of work (and probably a healthy dose of political bias) to criticize what was outlined today in what is being called the Canada First Defense Strategy. We observe the strategy as described as having a rare combination of relevance to our time and well balanced risk assessment. Most importantly, Canada starts with its most important strength, its people.
The strategy will expand the Forces to 100,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen and replace aging equipment with a fleet of new warships, aircraft and armoured vehicles. Troop strength will include 70,000 regular forces, up from 65,000, and reserve numbers of 30,000, up from 24,000…
With the military facing the same problems as some large civilian employers, namely an aging workforce, Harper said the top priority will be to attract new people to the Canadian Forces.
By establishing a predictable funding model for long term investment, the Canadians appear to be aiming straight, rather than high or low, regarding expectations for the force. The priorities as laid out include a focus on the northern border, increasing readiness, and improving the quality of bases…
As if on cue, and despite the warning from the blogger, Galrahn, that “it is going to take someone a lot of work (and probably a healthy dose of political bias) to criticize what was outlined today”, the liberals’ Globe & Mail somehow manages to nail down some picayune criticisms from the political bias of the left and far-left, nonetheless, by asking only the left for their opinions.
…“There’s really nothing much new here from what they proposed two years ago,” Liberal defence critic Bryon Wilfert said in a telephone interview from CFB Wainwright. “The announcement is recycling.”…
Well go ahead and continue to overlook the much-needed, clearly-stated long-term strategy angle, then, Mr. Wilfert! Liberals overlook lots of things—like their under-funding of our military to the point where it nearly reached full rust-out under their watch.
Asked what was new in yesterday’s announcement, Mr. Harper said that “the newest thing … is that it is a long-term plan.”
Right over their heads. Like one of their 34-year-old Buffalo aircraft.
…But NDP defence critic Dawn Black said the government still has not offered what the opposition has been seeking for those two years: a detailed explanation of what is being planned.
“This is not a plan for a generation, this is an announcement of previous announcements,” she said. “The numbers continue to escalate dramatically. Without a strategic document that Canadians can read and understand, this means nothing.”…
Socialist peaceniks and rabid (and rather mindless) anti-war far-left fundamentalists like the you’ve got to be kidding party earned its stripes saying reality-challenging things like that. Which is why we must never take them seriously. And why the liberals’ media should immediately engage in an exit strategy and end their long term liberal-left first strategy which consists of propping all liberal-leftists up and constantly lending them credibility and legitimacy.
Apparently the intrepid journalists from the Globe & Mail were unable to find even one positive review, despite going only to the clear choice for positive viewpoints, the opposition Liberals and the even further left socialists of the you’ve got to be kidding party. (That’s solid, balanced journalism, folks!) I’m only surprised they didn’t appeal to one of their cadre of ubiquitous (and reliably left or outright Marxist) university professors for their sage analysis!
Of course as always, the liberals’ media gives the liberals the last word, literally ending the article on the Canada First Defence Strategy this way:
“My concern is whether this really is Canada First and my belief is that it is not,” Mr. Wilfert said.
I don’t even know what that means.
Finally we have a government that seems to be on Canada’s side, which realizes that there is a cost to freedom, and is prepared to live up to its first of what should be few priorities: to defend Canada. I think that’s precisely what bothers the left.
(Hat tip to Frogg)
PTBC was founded by Mr. Johannesen in 2000.
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