Canadian Military Senate Comitee report.
Posted: 2002-11-12 10:07pm
Call the troops home – Senate committee
Last Updated Tue, 12 Nov 2002 22:02:44
OTTAWA - Canada should give the military $4 billion immediately and cancel all overseas duty for two years, a Senate committee said on Tuesday.
VIEWPOINT: Martin O'Malley: There used to be Canada: a perspective
The recommendations are contained in a report released by the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence called "A View from the Bottom Up."
The committee admits that pulling out of international missions would stretch Canada's credibility in the short term.
"However, the Committee is convinced that Canada's contribution to these relationships has become so marginal that it is time to take drastic action to replenish our capacity to play a useful role," the report said.
FROM OCT. 8, 2002: Military faces crisis without more funding, lobby group says
In recommending a withdrawal from overseas duty for two years, it says the military can stave off disintegration.
The entire military structure needs to be overhauled, the report says, and a 24-month break from overseas duty would allow that to happen.
Colin Kenny
Bringing the troops home could over the next six months as the current tours come to an end, Senator Colin Kenny told a news conference in Ottawa.
With no new missions after that, the withdrawal amounts to a 30-month moratorium on overseas missions.
"The idea that we're taking a positive step to regroup and refocus, I think would be well received by our allies, provided the funding comes and provided the Armed Forces come out a the end of the 30-month pause in better shape," Kenny said.
The report identifies crises in three areas:
Personnel
too few people, too little training
Operations
not enough money for operations, maintenance, infrastructure
Capital equipment
"Canada's antique road show"
A $4-billion injection into the military budget would cost every Canadian $130, the committee said.
"We know the first thing that has to be dealt with is solving the funding problem," said Kenny.
"Canadians clearly spend more to insure their vehicles, to insure their homes," said Kenny. "We see some analogy insuring your country."
Even with that increase, Canada wouldn't be considered a big spender in defence terms. Sen. Mike Forrestall noted, "It would bring Canada to the level of Portugal's contribution."
After visiting 15 bases across the country, the senators are calling for an increase of military personnel from its current level of 52,000 to 75,000.
A spokesman for Defence Minister John McCallum said a moratorium on overseas missions is not being considered by the department.
McCallum is in Europe preparing for upcoming NATO meetings. A spokesman said the committee recommendations will be useful when the minister goes to cabinet to ask for more money.
Written by CBC News Online staff
Last Updated Tue, 12 Nov 2002 22:02:44
OTTAWA - Canada should give the military $4 billion immediately and cancel all overseas duty for two years, a Senate committee said on Tuesday.
VIEWPOINT: Martin O'Malley: There used to be Canada: a perspective
The recommendations are contained in a report released by the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence called "A View from the Bottom Up."
The committee admits that pulling out of international missions would stretch Canada's credibility in the short term.
"However, the Committee is convinced that Canada's contribution to these relationships has become so marginal that it is time to take drastic action to replenish our capacity to play a useful role," the report said.
FROM OCT. 8, 2002: Military faces crisis without more funding, lobby group says
In recommending a withdrawal from overseas duty for two years, it says the military can stave off disintegration.
The entire military structure needs to be overhauled, the report says, and a 24-month break from overseas duty would allow that to happen.
Colin Kenny
Bringing the troops home could over the next six months as the current tours come to an end, Senator Colin Kenny told a news conference in Ottawa.
With no new missions after that, the withdrawal amounts to a 30-month moratorium on overseas missions.
"The idea that we're taking a positive step to regroup and refocus, I think would be well received by our allies, provided the funding comes and provided the Armed Forces come out a the end of the 30-month pause in better shape," Kenny said.
The report identifies crises in three areas:
Personnel
too few people, too little training
Operations
not enough money for operations, maintenance, infrastructure
Capital equipment
"Canada's antique road show"
A $4-billion injection into the military budget would cost every Canadian $130, the committee said.
"We know the first thing that has to be dealt with is solving the funding problem," said Kenny.
"Canadians clearly spend more to insure their vehicles, to insure their homes," said Kenny. "We see some analogy insuring your country."
Even with that increase, Canada wouldn't be considered a big spender in defence terms. Sen. Mike Forrestall noted, "It would bring Canada to the level of Portugal's contribution."
After visiting 15 bases across the country, the senators are calling for an increase of military personnel from its current level of 52,000 to 75,000.
A spokesman for Defence Minister John McCallum said a moratorium on overseas missions is not being considered by the department.
McCallum is in Europe preparing for upcoming NATO meetings. A spokesman said the committee recommendations will be useful when the minister goes to cabinet to ask for more money.
Written by CBC News Online staff