NDP resolution to Abolish Canada’s Military – An article by Robert Smol – Toronto Sun
This once there may be some common ground between ‘Notes From The North’ and the NDP. Not that the birdbrained idea of abolishing Canada’s military has any level of sanity, particularly in the current world environment. Since Mr. Smol did a great job of clarifying the nonsensical nature of this proposal, we at ‘Notes From The North won’t repeat his points. What we want to do here is give Jagmeet Singh an alternative and workable direction.
The Nordic Approach
Mr. Smol ,in his article brings up the fact that nordic countries with strong social programs, also have effective armed forces. Why can’t Canada follow those examples? Essentially, design our military around Canadian defence, with international participation as a secondary function. Specifically , distance ourselves from American alignment and increase our independence.
Specific Policies
NDP policies, instead of abolishing our military, should look to a primarily defensive military, with specific international roles in NATO and the U.N. This leads to some specific current military projects. New fighter jets. This approach leads specifically to purchase of the SAAB Gripen fighter over the American F35. The Gripen is cheaper to buy, cheaper to fly and a much better fit for Canadian defence. The F35 isn’t called a STRIKE Fighter for nothing. Since Canada isn’t planning on striking any other country it makes the aircraft of no use. Add to the mix, that SAAB’s aircraft will be built in Canada, creating a lot of high paying jobs, seals the deal.
The second policy, departure from NORAD. The mutual Aerospace defence of North America, is obsolete, suggests a dependence on the United States for Canada’s defence, which in turn creates a false belief that Canada should always buy expensive American military equipment. In 2017, U.S. policy specifically changed to a policy, where NORAD won’t protect Canada, therefore there is no reason why Canada should be a part or NORAD.
Third, cancel the National Shipbuilding program, which has wasted billions of dollars to modernize a couple of conglomerates with tax dollars, with no visible reward. New ships are still late and over budget, yet the program, and the steady stream of tax dollars extends to infinity and beyond.
Fourth, modify the Canadian Surface Combatant Program. Canada’s surface combatant program is in essence a program to build ships designed to participate in multinational fleet operations. Essentially protecting American and British aircraft carriers. The ships proposed are too big, and far too expensive. Canada should cancel the current order for type 26 frigates and start anew with an order for more, much cheaper, corvette sized ships designed to protect Canada’s coastlines. Ships equipped for all of the defence activities required, plus specific activities for NATO and the U.N. These may include; coastal patrol and defence, anti-piracy, drug enforcement, humanitarian aid, and anti-submarine patrols. these ships would have air defence capability, but not be sufficient to protect the air over an entire fleet. They would have sufficient command and control capability to protect themselves and escorted civilian ships, but not fleet command. The smaller ships have smaller crew sizes which will reduce the current pressure for recruitment, improve the career potential of sailors for promotion and job satisfaction.
Fifth, the Army. The Army policy is rather simple. Refocus our army doctrine to homeland national defence. Make our military the strongest force possible for protecting Canada’s mountainous west coast, protecting Canada’s arctic and guarding Canada’s borders. Take lessons from, and interface with the Scandinavian countries.
Summary
While these proposals do not dispose of Canada’s military, they pivot Canada from a participant in other peoples wars and focuses our efforts on Canada and those international events such as the Ukraine war, where Canada chooses to be engaged.
