Looking at the manning issue from the outside looks from the outside like the junior enlisted got tired of being screwed over and left leaving the CAF without an NCO corps. Is that the feeling or am I way off base?
@@Ve-om7lf Canadian recruitment is terrible in general, pair that with a generation that didnt want to enroll just to be sent on "peacekeeping" missions in the middle east, military not paying well enough on entry when I looked at joining and the fact that most Canadians know that the military is underfunded.
25 year retired veteran here... this just scratches the surface of what's going on. The bureaucracy involved to get anything accomplished is mind boggling.
@@falsfire Sort of but not really, with low recruitment, consolidating units and amalgamation of trades to save costs they just don't have the need for as much upper command but in the big picture you don't want to force out all your experienced command structure. Also some are not getting out like they use to or how it was structured to work, the advancement path was designed for people to cycle though in 3to6/20/25 year career cycles with only high demand special cases getting extended to 30-35 years. These days they just don't retire to make room for new blood.
@@GH-tp6vu Yup, every time a different party gets elected they cancel the defense purchases of the previous government claiming they were poorly negotiated or just a bad deal. Sometimes the penalty for canceling the contract costs as much as what the program would have cost. EH101, F35, Roll-on-roll-off AOR replacements, Subs etc. The list could cover decades
If you have enough golfers that might actually be money well spent. In my friend group (as a non golfer) I know 15 or so that would regularly use that if it was available. The ones that would use something in a hobby I enjoy is like 3… so that might not be as bad as it looks initially
As a Canadian army veteran of over 24 years, I can tell you that this situation has been ongoing for a hell of a lot longer than just the past two decades. I first pulled on a uniform in 1979 and it was every bit as bad then. Just not as well publicized. The sad fact is that beyond the usual feel-good, flowery talk, Canada is just not committed to its military; never really has been and not likely ever will be. Talks a good game but nothing much beyond that. There isn't a single vote to be bought with defense spending. Every few years you get these same reports that could easily be carbon copies of the previous ones and they're always followed first by finger pointing, then spin, and finally by a bunch of inflated promises that are no more likely to be kept than the last batch. I'm no fan of Trump but in a way, I'm delighted that he scared the shit out of Europe because if he hadn't, there would still be nothing coming out of there except the usual hot air and empty rhetoric we've heard since the Cold War days. That's the only way you're going to shake Canada out of it's lethargy too and I kind of hope it happens, to be honest.
Putin is shaking Europe, not Trump with his 2% empty rethoric. Luxembourg having a 2.5% of his GDP in defense doesn't mean anything superior to the fact that let's say France, an independent nuclear power with good military tools for an euro country only use 1.9%. As usual is just for the show, with Trump, to look a tough negotiator. Putin is the real NATO savior, even Sweden and Finland are in, something that was impossible in the Cold War. Entire lines of production are being resurrected thanks to him. And everybody enjoyed the ''peace dividends'' from the end of the Cold War. Another thing is Canada not having even a serious navy to defend their gigantic EEZ in the far north and the Artic.That's borderline idiotic.
I mean essentially From the 1950s till the 1990s We essentially always had a larger military fundi bf then we needed So we’ve just been letting it wither slowly But 2000 hit We ran out of fat Fought the war on terror And now it’s ??? Screwed As with all things in like man if we’d only given Paul Martin four more years
He nation of Canada put a Field Army on the ground in Europe in WWII. What happened between then and now? Socialism..... Their economy can't afford defense and a hemorrhaging socialized medicine system that under- performs a bit more every year.
@@ShmuckCanuck or given Jack Layton the Prime Minister role. Giving Harper an extra term basically doomed this country, and now he gets a third term, because we all know Pierre is too stupid to govern on his own.
We should be spending more on low cost artillery like the archer mobile artillery. Since Canada is so far away from the fight we'd be a perfect location for artillery shells production but we don't even try to increase these industries or allow Nati countries to fund startups
Devil's advocate, but why should Canada spend more than it should? The geography IS the defence. As stated, they aren't reducing spending on things that they actually need that goes around this geography e.g. NORAD and aren't cutting budgets in things that are very good value / impact for the money, like special forces. Canada has every right to play the peace dividend that geography gives them. It makes geopolitical sense, particularly knowing any US president simply will not put the pressure on their northern neighbour like they would with Europe.
I'm a Canadian actively serving in the Army. Thank you for bringing this to peoples attention. It's been brutal attempting to train on equipment that is never there because it's either in disrepair or there is never enough. We've done well to train with what we have but it is a point of concern amongst troops considering most of us don't feel ready/capable to fight in a seemingly inevitable modern war. Hopefully we can work on fixing equipment and staffing issues sooner than later
Ever since Pearson's 'peacekeeping' days it has been a downhill slide. One Quebec PM after another ignoring our military just like their forefathers ignored WWII. I was in the Naval Reserve back in the 70s and the most important objective to the Liberal Party of Canada at that time was Unification or ensuring that all services wore the same uniform thus destroying the pride that each service had from the time of WWII. Not better equipment or training but a standard drab uniform. Brought in by Justin's PM Daddy, the guy who avoided military service in WWII by hiding out in the eastern townships like so many other French Quebecers.
Thank you for your service. I hope that this next government that comes into power holds up their end of the bargain and spend the time, money, and effort to prop up our military again. You guys deserve better than this.
@@jaredjason4834 Unfortunately Pollivere (sp?) has said t hat he won't. So that leaves the NDP and I don't trust them any further than I can throw a combat loaded Leopard 2A6M tank.
Hi: Canadian War Studies grad here. Thank you for shining light on this. I've been anxious about our amature defence policy since I joined in 1991 - you nailed it!!! We have to get serious about the defence of the arctic littoral. Our Arctic patrol vessels are under armed and far too few. The CPF Halifax class frigates were designed in the mid 1980s. The Kingston class MCDVs are not combat capable at all. I served in the in 90's and 00s. Our militay procurment system has been a debacle since the 1960s. We no longer live in a fireproof house far from flammible materials. DND is a frigging byzantine nightmare, our procurement system's been a disaster since the Boer War, and the Ross Rifle. We are incredibly reactive and pedantic in kit replacement/upgrade. Personnel who serve are damn proud, but without proper numbers, there's simply too much work for too few people. This caises all the prirals of burn-out, remustering, AWA a nasty feedback loop in planning and operations. Several ships for eg, are alongside simply because the RCN doesn't have the people to crew them. At the end of WW2 we had a full Army, the 3ed largest Navy on Earth, and a sophiticated and highly competent air force. I'm reminded of he old adage: every nation has a military: if not theirs, than someone elses. We have to get serious and smart about investment or we will be useless. The next conflict is already in process. We are kitted like it's 1995. Our government does not take defence seriously - regardless of party in power. We are slumbering peacefully while the house is being consumed by a neighborhood fire. Good news? If we get serious about restructuring, we will be starting from scratch. Drone warfare has become a true game changer. So we have an oppertunity to hop aboard the true RMA this tech represents and restructure easily our systems.
Thank you for your service. Do you have any input into how Canada can increase the size of it's military or what can Canada do to encourage enlistment, besides new fighter jets and naval ships and subs?
@franceyneireland1633 in my opinion, based on working in Personal as well as being a MARS officer, we need teams of service and conditions that mean when people are deployed, the have bedrock knowledge that their families are being looked after. We need a procurement policy that is financially sound as well as being effective to ensure the right kit gets to the right places/people at the right time. We have ALWAYS sucked at this in Canada. Some folks on this thread are lamenting the soft stuff of quality of life. I disagree. If you want people to pick up the unlimited liability clause, you have to pay them well, and ensure their families are supported. Our people are our best assets. We need to do a vastly better job of supporting them.
@@franceyneireland1633 Big ticket purchaces are one thing. What we need to do is focus on quality of life and personnel support services. The old joke :"I love the effing Navy, and the Navy loves effing me" is based in hard bitter truth. The CF is slowly getting better, but serving personel AWA vets are treated like crap. Our vet suicide rates are up there with the US. We don't do enough to look after our people which are vastly more important than any kit purcace. That said, the procurement process is absurd. The Sea King helecopters I occasionally flew in in the late '90s were first purchaced in 1963. I knew guys who were flying the same air frames as their freaking granddad did. Subs: we spent over an entire officer's career from RMC to retirement tryying to replace them. It's a very unfunny joke. We have to streamline the process and take defence out from being a political football, and putting it in the realm of "EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS". As long as political parties get in pissing matchs over defence and don't take it seriously like health care, pensions, ect: functions of state that trancend politics, we will be locked in this circle-jerk.
Canadian army veteran here. I completely support everything you said. There's one thing that isn't mentioned, however, and it would be hard for someone to get it from published reports: culture. The culture both in the Canadian military, and in the general population is problematic on this issue. Within the military, the upper leadership is often woefully out of touch with the daily lives of working soldiers, what's needed, what's useless, and what the pain points are. Invariably, all efforts to address recruitment and retention issues widely miss the target. There is also a severe and growing problem of inefficiency in decision-making, resource allocation, kit supply, and general quality of life. This is what leads mid-level staff (senior NCOs and junior officers) to eventually quit and find greener pastures. As for the general Canadian population, there is an overwhelming lack of interest and understanding, stemming from a well-fed entitled attitude of "why should I?", especially from younger age brackets in urban areas. The socio-political climate in Canada is FAR more focused on social activism; and this is the basket into which the government tends to put all its eggs. This isn't me wagging my finger at 'kids these days,' it's just the statistic. There are exceptions, of course, but generally speaking Canadians these days feel safe, un-burdened, and therefore un-bothered with such things as the ability to defend ourselves or assist our allies. You did allude to this point in the video. That being said, with a population that largely leans in that direction, you will either produce a culture where politicians consider it political suicide to spend money on the military, or produce a culture where politicians actually believe that it's unimportant; or both. I think you're correct about the spending problems that Canada faces. The hardest step is often the first step, and I don't see the situation changing in Canada until we have a fundamental shift in perspective amongst our more entitled population, which will allow the House of Commons to properly tackle the military's issues. How do we achieve that? I legitimately have no clue. Being attacked by a foreign power would be one way. Not exactly ideal, but I don't know how else to make the horse drink the water.
Well said! Head of the nail has been accurately hit. I WILL say that your spot-on description of the current younger demographic as ‘why should I?’ is not something new. There are a lot of people in this country, (although in the minority I think/hope), who couldn’t care less about the significance the CAF consistently makes for Canada, locally and internationally. We’ve always punched above our weight. But there are even some who didn’t even know Canada HAD a military let alone what it does. I blame this on 2 things: 1) Canadians have been lulled into this false sense of security. They’ve generally enjoyed living in a country with relative peace and harmony since Canada was last invaded by foreign entities in 1812. (And aren’t we lucky to have had that luxury!) There’s never really been any fear or anxiety wrt being attacked because, “Who would want to do that to Canada? And even if they did, we have the superpower might of the US military to protect us!” Now I am in no way wishing for us to be attacked but I think you’ll agree that there exists today a very real and plausible threat. And to have to rely heavily on the US military is not feasible and given recent political mess they find themselves in congressionally, probably not entirely wise. 2) To a lesser extent but no less significant, the CAF has done an absolute abysmal job of informing /promoting the Forces to the Canadian public. This job is now even tougher as they try to deal with the fallout of the list of rapes/sexual assaults committed by some high level brass that have come to light. Couple that with trying to change the CAF culture of sexual harassment and abuse and it’s damn near impossible to recruit anyone who’s watched the news or had surfed the web in the last 5 years. I don’t know what the answer is either, but a good start would be the governments (blue, red, orange; it doesn’t matter), to stop cutting military budgets and start to take a significant and realistic vested interest in the defence of this country. Thank you for your service. 🇨🇦 Ready Aye Ready ⚓️
The problem is the only foreign power that has ever attacked us with the intent is the one our leaders now worry about "disappointing". (The same one all our toxic politics comes from.) I welcome the idea of a Canada that can defend itself better, but that goes hand in hand with defending OUR interests and territory, not to defend someone else's lunatic ideas of global supremacy. Call me a nationalist, or loyalist (not a "patriot" thank you very much), but if we're not making up our own minds on strategic / military matters, we're already a dead, conquered nation. They might do better at getting funds and recruiting too, if the public had the sense it was always for Canada, not some bass-ackwards agenda where we tailor what we buy purchase armaments and spend our blood helping someone else project power to advance their interests. I'm not talking about isolationism, just independence of decision making, being our own masters first, and getting involved in alliance causes & expeditionary conflicts second. The warriors of the Canadian Forces generally get respect for their competence, professionalism, and bravery. But none of that depends on having the approval or disapproval of allies, I have yet to see politicians in my adult life who understood any of this. They live in a world of stereotypes, alarmism, and campaign optics. Their policies seem to be the product of myths rather than reality - competing myths to be sure, but that competition seems to hold Canada back from every taking its own strategic needs seriously, or fixing the procurement system so it's not a permanent example of how not to decide, design, and build capabilites. All government spending is a choice, a setting of priorities, and survival really is at stake, in so many different ways.If society does not collectively make sacrifices towards these goals, that means gutting something else important to pay for it. It's measured in other things not built, other lives not saved, other future planning we'll fail at. Therefore, it is hard to argue in favour of funding a system that always seem broken and threatens to piss away enormous sums of money for causes which might not even be our own. That is why the political resistance is just as strong as the desire for a more capable military; until "they" who hold power up above clean up their act, it is likely to remain so.
I also think our immigration rate and multiculturalism has eroded the public's sense of patriotism and attachment to a source of natural pride like the forces. Very sad.
As an American, I don't mind coming to Canada's defense. That being said however... Canada needs to realize they very much have a Russia problem to their north and are not as isolated as they may think they are. If you don't want to do the work yourself, at the very least, you need to build up the military infrastructure in the north and lease it out to the US so we can. We can not have Canada being NATOs soft underbelly. A disaster in Canada absolutely would affect NATOs collective defense and thats unacceptable.
I spent 37 yrs in CAF and watched its decline from about year 4 to the present. Thanks for spreading this message. It’s negative but there is light but it’s 5yrs down the road. I do like your solutions. We do have huge resources that have not been developed. They also need to be protected. Unfortunately, the current government has said no to our allies for oil and gas. We have lots and most of us would be happy to provide this service. The cyber element requires an injection of capital to acquire upgrades to our current systems. In the end , I don’t believe our government is willing to spend money on anything that resembles a sustainable military.
We can only get better when we accept the facts on the ground. We've been sniffing our own farts for decades. We have to get serious about national defence or we will wake up one fine day and realize we don't own it any more. And this is a socialist talking.
@@extraordinarygamer937 Vast majority of the country votes him out, but the core of toronto and vancouver keep him in. But he will most likely be beaten out by the conservative leader in the next election.
As a Canadian i honestly don’t know where our tax money goes everything in our country is overwhelmingly underfunded with how high our taxes are we need a change in this country to take care of its citizens
It probably gets paid out to politicians' pockets tbh. Don't worry though! Soon we'll be the People's Republic of Canada and we'll need wheelbarrows full of cash and hours of standing in line to buy bread. 🤔
As a Canadian, first, we’re sorry, second, as for the recruiting, a ton of us would like to join, but the recruitment process is hella slow, takes years just to hear a no for some section 8 (a sad thought they had in grade 2)
I was about to join until I heard about the sexual assaults that female staff are exposed to. This generation will simply not accept abuse as the last.
Take a lesson from Marines and french Legion it isnt hard earned requirements pushing people away. If you dont lower standards for women and make everything soft the men will show up to challenge themselves.
We’re a country that, since being the reason behind a shocking amount of the Geneva Suggestions, has relied entirely on our proximity to America as a deterrent, and a reason to not spend on our military... Unfortunately, current leadership has no interest in actually increasing military funding - and even if they were, I’d be willing to bet a lot of the increased funding would be “lost” in the black hole that is government spending and bureaucracy.
To put a fine point on it, no recent leadership has been interested in increasing funding. Whether Liberal or Conservative, it doesn't matter. And that's only part of the issue.
@@twiztedsynz To be fair that's because up until recently increasing military spending was a poison pill politically for any ruling party in Canada ever since we were pressured us into stopping the avro arrow program.
@@corvus1801 Oh absolutely. Because the Arrow was advanced enough it beat anything the US had and "That Just Would Not Do". Our PM at the time bowed to Kennedy so here we are. IMO he set precedent for Canada to be "subject to protection" from the US, instead of us standing on our own.
As a Canadian, I apologize for our shortcomings in NATO. I’m a firm believer in ramping up defence spending and maybe even developing our own military industrial complex to whatever capacity we can. We DEARLY need to arm ourselves in the event the worst comes to pass. Yes, we were beasts in WW1 and WW2, but 80 years of (relative) peace have weakened us a lot. The world is grabbing Canada by the shirt and shaking us awake, so it’s high time we do so and get our stuff together
As a veteran, I offer my opinion on dealing with retention. 1) Uniformed Military service should be tax exempt. This will draw more recruits and assist in retention of current members. 2) As soon as basic training is complete, unless a trade course is immediately available, a recruits should be forwarded to an appropriate trade unit for OJT training until a trade course is available. 3) Since it is all but impossible for a military member of Canada to collect Employment Insurance after leaving the military for ANY reason, CF members would pay into a separate investment fund, an equal amount (instead of EI payments ) to be returned to the member only on release. 4) Re-signing bonuses.
Unfortunately, we are too dependent on our allies. Fifty percent of our warships, planes, and war vehicles are no longer usable, and those that remain are mostly old and not modernized. If a war breaks out and we are involved, we would not be ready and unable to defend ourselves alone without the help of other allies. Our factories would not be able to produce or supply enough ammunition, equipment, weapons, combat vehicles, or warplane ect... Simply because we have neglected most of our factories and no longer produce but instead buy from abroad. Our army is neglected. Even our bunkers are pitiful; they are over 50 years old, using outdated technology for the most part, and wouldn't even withstand a nuclear attack or function normally for more than a year. It's really disappointing because if Canada invested more in our military and money was well spent and not wasted, we would be much stronger. We could defend ourselves without relying on other countries' help. I feel like we've forgotten that during a war, our allies won't always be able to defend us.
I mean... dependant for what? There is no viable threat to our homeland. There is no viable threat to our homeland in the foreseeable future. Most canadians don't want to be the world's police. Most canadians don't want to be fighting pointless wars for oil in all corners of the middle east... if there was a threat to our country canadians would feel different about the defense budget... but it's a defense budget, not an aggression budget... not a deterrent budget.... When your justifications for increasing our defense spending is "defending Taiwan from a Chinese invasion" why the fuck would canadians see the need?
@@dallasgauthier3543 1) You completely misunderstood my message. What I was saying is that we no longer have the capabilities to defend ourselves without help because our army is pitiful. If there's a war tomorrow, it's going to be a mess. Only 52% of our combat vehicles are unusable, and 50% of our warships are unusable. There's a shortage of ammunition, and our soldiers have to buy their own boots. There's a lack of 16,000 jobs in the military, and our vehicles, warships, and jets are completely outdated; some are old as hell, with our frigates alone being 40 years old. What I mean is that we shouldn't even expect to be helped by anyone. If we're dependent on USA's and Nato aid, what will happen if the USA and Nato? What would happen if our allies couldn't help us if we were attacked because they no longer have the military capabilities to do so after several battles? finally decides not to help us and they'd be better off dropping Upper Canada or all Canada because anyway, we're not even capable of protecting it ourselves? What will happen if our allies don't defend us because we're not worth protecting at the cost of all our allies being hit by nuclear bombs for having directly involved themselves and thus triggering a nuclear war What will happen if the NATO countries don't help us because we can't even manage to pay the 2% of GDP for the military budget in NATO? 2) The reasons that prove we're not out of danger and that any country could attack us: - For a long time now, Russia has been threatening us due to the numerous resources and new pathways with the melting ice in the Canadian Arctic. We must constantly have troops in the north to protect and assert our territory. - We're a country with an enormous amount of resources. We're one of the biggest energy powers. Canada is the 2nd largest energy producer and the 4th largest renewable energy producer. In Canada, 81% of energy is renewable, and in some provinces like Quebec, it's 99%. Canada's oil sands are the world's third-largest proven oil reserve. Additionally, we have the most freshwater in the world. We have a vast consumable marine biodiversity, and Canadian agriculture is one of the most productive and significant globally, particularly in terms of export. We're the 3rd country with the most trees. Canada is a major producer of zinc, iron ore, and copper. In Canada, about 30 mining operations are copper sources, a critical ore needed for clean technologies. Just for resources, any country could attack us. So, I'm telling you, in a potential world war or war, do you believe Canada could defend itself, and would and could our allies defend us? No.
@@darkerenjager4077 He seems like the type who believes the biggest threat to Canada is truckers critical of Trudeau. If Canada doesn't change it will be the Dodo of modern history. A nation too stupid and placid to survive.
@@darkerenjager4077 1) you're missing the point I think. Yes I agree with all the issues, but the commenter was saying that there is no chance of war for Canada, we don't have a situation where we might have to defend ourselves. But also, if our NATO allows are so beleaguered they can't help us, then we would also already be losing a war. And, unless America was facing a direct invasion which is really an impossibility, Canada will always be the more important front because it's in North America. 2) buy the same token, there is no other nation with the capacity to occupy the arctic. The only country both capability and with motive to ever threaten Canada is the US, particularly for the energy and water resources listed, and also if either country shifted into a less democratic or western state, and it's simply not reasonable to think 2% of GDP in defense spending is going to be relevant. Like fundamentally no country is going to cross the Pacific, invade over the Rockies, and set up complex pipeline and SAGD insitu bitumen extraction equipment. So it's either the one to the south where all the pipelines go (and who relys in the oil), or it's no one. As for Russia, it can't invade a Russian speaking country that was part of Russia for hundreds of years where all the infrastructure is designed for Russian equipment and the population speaks Russian. Which isn't part of NATO. Their single aircraft carrier regularly breaks down and has a designated tow boat. I mean they could nuke us, but short of that they aren't operating across an ocean that is still frozen over half the year, to occupy land with no infrastructure and so little value we don't occupy it.
@@dallasgauthier3543 @neolithictransitrevolution427 In April 2021 Putin filed a submission to extend a claim to the Arctic, all the way into Canadian and Greenland (Denmark) continental shelf and economic zone, as part of Russia's continental shelf. In other words, a situation where they're claiming the entire Arctic Canadian and Danish continental shelf as part of the Russian continental shelf. Putin in a little over a decade as built eight modern military bases in the Arctic with year around staff, nuclear sub capable of surfacing thru 5 feet of solid ice, nuclear ice breakers, airstrips and nuclear weapons capable of hitting the east coast of the USA. Putin is threaten by the US capabilities, therefore he has built up the Arctic if the US should attack Russia. The US and Canada combined doesn't have enough ice breakers to patrol the Arctic. If you're not concerned about Russia building up a military near our Canadian borders, ask Ukraine if they should have been concerned. Soviet and later Russian subs have been spotted in the territorial waters of Canada, plus Russian fighter planes have buzzed both Canada and the US. According to a 2011 report old Soviet Cold-War-era nautical charts from the 1970's of the Canadian Arctic marked with the hammer and sickle symbol surfaced that were published by the Russian Hydrographic Service which are more accurate than those of Canada. These charts contained many more depth soundings than corresponding modern Canadian charts. Including Nares Strait which is still choked with thick, hard, multi-year ice and would have been even more so 50 years ago, the only way the Soviet government could have acquired data for the charts is from nuclear submarines secretly patrolling it. Putin wants control of both the Northeast Passage, the Northwest Passage of the Arctic plus all the natural resources in the Arctic. Russia had more nuclear weapons and power in the Arctic and nuclear-armed long range torpedoes known as “Poseidon a special missile that create a radioactive tsunami. I'd also reconsider if you think Putin will only annex the Canadian Arctic, when Canada has so many other natural resources when Canada doesn't have the defence to even discourage Putin from trying to do so. In 2018 Beijing agreed it would cooperate with Russia on a new Arctic silk route, signing 20 bilateral documents and agreeing to invest in the region. As part of this Beijing will build several Chinese docks across Russia's north in ports. Beijing would also like to have control over Canada's oil and natural gas.
As a Warhammer 40k fan I thought it said Cadia and I was like “nuh uh” and clicked on the video real quick. Only to realize it’s warographics and it’s about Canada
CAF Veteran here... its embarrassing to see polling numbers where only 10% of our population see defence spending as a priority. Canadian citizens should be embaressed by their lack of will to spend on and enroll in the CAF
Since Putin's invasion of Ukraine, I swear it became one of my top priority. Sadly, that could mean voting for a party inspired my maga so I'm kindda fucked about that.
Canadians have a Prime Minister who said "If you kill your enemies, they win". I have a feeling this might be connected to the problem under discussion.
It's not. As much as many of us may hate Trudeau this has been an ongoing thing long before him. Whether or not sock boy believes that. Since the 80s it's gone down more and more
The British love their tea, the Americans their guns. We Canadians love spending as little on military matters as we can possibly get away with. Aside from WWI and WWII, this has been true for as long as there has been a Canada to speak of.
@@josepherhardt164 LOL! Best rule of thumb for dealing with Canadians: buy us a beer, we'll guard your back all night. Get between us and a beer, and you'll be picking up your teeth with broken fingers.
As a Canadian, Thank You for covering our abysmal state of the military. The passiveness of this country on all issues is starting to truly show after the last ten years. Money laundering, housing, the military, Service/company monopolies, over-immigration, economy, etc are all in a state from not wanting to make the hard decisions that could make people unhappy but be what was required to be done.
@@AaronFromGuildfordnot really. They made hard decisions when they were given independence and still not dependent on the US but now that they are a US dependent they do nothing but this time Washington isn’t going to step in to make laws for them like London did.
Thank you for pointing out that this has lasted for literal decades. Some people like to attack the PM on this subject like he caused it when in reality both parties who have been in power, as you mentioned, did not only reach their NATO goal, they did little to try. Canada actually used to have a extremely advanced airforce. It would be cool to go into that again.
Canadian personnel selection officer here. A large part of my job is making sure we get enough applicants for key roles and converting applicants into recruits with the KSAs needed to be effective in the role. I think you got close to the root problem being Psychology. Part of the issue is yes, on the whole Canadians do not feel threatened in any way and so the military is an easy punching bag for government overspending. I'd say even more central than that however, is we lack a warrior ethos as a nation. Compared to say an American, your average Canadian is unwilling to be involved in judicious use of violence, to view the armed forces as an instrument of stability and peace, or to be willing to be involved in a conflict if war broke out. At the same time, our Armed Forces have evolved to the point you need strong technical competencies, qualifications, and critical thinking for most support and technician roles. Ever tried to convince a university grad to take less money and have to be combat-fit? It's miserable trying to convince Canadians to join up, and many who apply do so only for combat-active roles which as this video showed, is not where the bottleneck is.
Great comment! I’m 47 and I almost signed up after 9/11 (when I was 24). Then again I almost signed up in 2006 when when the Canadian Army was deployed to Kandahar. However, I never believed in Nation Building. I knew NATO could not turn Afghanistan into a Jeffersonian democracy. The good news is, our leaders finally understand that now, and we are returning to focusing our military on tradition national defence and fighting for true allies overseas. I am applying for the Canadian Armed Forces now: I just passed my CFAT tests 👍🏻
i tried to join as an Avionics System Tech in the summer of last year, 99th percentile in the aptitude test, im fit physically, but i was denied this January for health documents from when i was a minor with incorrect information on them. Ive been trying to appeal but should I even bother?
The real problem is RETENTION. People quit after a few yers when they realise that this "scoolyard king-of-the hill battle" is not for them. The place is managed like a dictatorship and only those that are liked rank up, Not the people who work hard.
Canada is not going to be a mid-level power in the next two decades. Our country is collapsing internally, we've lost our identity, the young are disconnected and despise the entire system, and expertise is bleeding to the US. The people we are mass importing have no loyalty to Canada, they see it as a piggybank or escape from conflict and so don't enlist. The young see themselves as despised, unserved by their government, and replaced, and therefore don't enlist either. Politically we are fucked. Canada has no hope of being a military asset to NATO, it will be a gigantic burden, short of a national reform and revolution.
"The people we are mass importing have no loyalty to Canada" Okay but this isn't new? Immigration has been happening since the 1900's. You realize that even long-standing French-Canadians don't always want to enlist and go to war, yeah? See the Conscription Crises in the World Wars?
Im not Canadian but i think the reason Canada military is not been built up is because everytime Canada miltary is used the Geneva convention gets expanded 😂.
Memes aside the real reason is that we're sitting on top of America and it's massive military. Why invest in our own when we're friends with the top dog, and covered by their nuclear shield. That's what many Canadians believe, they haven't realized that America as powerful a country as it is can't do everything alone.
Most Canadians still have that switch but unfortunately that isn’t the reason, as the video emphasized our government has leaned on the protection and strength of the US military for decades and now it’s catching up
@@killman369547 another thing is if we look historically; The Americans are very notable for coming to Aid extremely slowly. World War 1 and World War 2, both Canada was forced to stand without American Support for years and we need to stop being dependent, We should be at least reaching the expectations to uphold our own weight. btw for record; I am not bashing the United States for joining these wars late, I am just stating we shouldn't be solely depending on the expectation when we aren't even holding up our own weight.
I appreciate that this video also explores solutions. So many of our conversations are deconstructive because we just want to make others feel inferior, even at a subconscious level. Getting to the heart of the problem and truly solving the problem takes a constructive approach and invites problem solving from everybody. First and foremost I believe this issue needs to be explained to the average Canadian. As one myself, I feel a big issue is many Canadians don't even realize there is an issue in the first place. Videos like this help a lot spreading the word. A shift in attitude from the general public is unfortunately the only way I see the government caring themselves enough to take any action. Thank you Simon and the Warographics team.
Thanks for spotlighting this. I'm a Canadian veteran, and thank God I'm out, but feel for all those still serving. We're going to pay in blood for our lack of commitment....Thanks again, Cheers-JHW
No ! The us will. Kinda why we're upset. You are the nato Ali with the longest border with Russia. This is about your government; not your soldiers! We just think you need to bring more to the fight than webblys, mkI Enfields , and P.I.A.Ts
As a Canadian that has spent his entire adult life obsessing with history. I know how important history is. I just wish our government would understand how important it is to keep up and maintain a significant military and defence. We are going to be depended on and at this rate we won’t be able to.
12 year old mindset. there is no logical reason beside it being cool to drastically increase anything in Canadian defence besides NORAD. No threats, strongest country protecting, amazing geography, spending on defence would be a complete and utter waste of better used money. the best option is to keep spending as low as NATO allows them too, and invest in the economy. That or invest in innovating a better arms industry in order to make export.
My thing is if Russia and China are back to being our mortal enemies as they seem to be gearing towards, Canada was to support the US in defense of the skies over North America, frankly given the current state one has to brutally ask...could Canada actually even help in any conflict right now even on its own territory? We know that answer is regrettably... no, as it stands Canada, if it even had to play a supporting role outside maybe material, they wouldn't be able to even sustain a battalion at this point. People mock Germany but Canada frankly makes Germany look like it's ready for ww3.
@eee-cz3cj they barely even invest in their exports lmfao that's kinda the problem. Investing in defensive would unironically help fix that issue *shrugs* but yeah just abuse your position until everyone tells you to fuck off...seems like a smart strategy especially considering Canada needs American trade to actively support its economy.
We're very well defended. By natural geography. And if an actual world war breaks out that requires us to go save France and Holland's ass again then we'll be there with a full war time economy just like last time.
@@buffgarfield3231 Our success in WW1 was because we learned the lessons of the Boer War and invested in logistics and organization. Our WW2 effort the same. We don't just majically become an arsenal of democracy like turning on a switch. It requires careful planning and serious financial investment/committment. Next war will start fast, and you dance with the gal you brought. We need to invest now. Ramping up production takes at bare minimum, at LEAST 24 months. We simply don't have the time to be complacent. We need to do this now.
@@buffgarfield3231 buddy the days of a full war time economy is long gone. just look at the US, our economy crippled because gas raised a dollar. and it never recovered despite gas lowering a dollar. the only thing war could bring is more jobs and companies and excuse to raise prices due to false shortages and them never reducing the price. as what happened with the gas raising, then in fact, decreasing
All i can say is, I applied and it took then 3 years and literally losing my file behind a desk to tell me I was rejected for 9n medical grounds for having a couple bouts of depression in my late teens and early twenties some 15 years earlier with zero issues since, as signed off by the psychiatrist they suggested I have affirm to habe ny file reconsidered, after which I was still denied. All I can say when I see 'hiring' signs and stores about recruitment woes is 'hey, I tried' with a shrug.
The military isn’t the only thing with absurd wait times. Getting anything done regarding government services means you’re waiting absurdly long, whether it’s healthcare, permits, or infrastructure repair and maintenance. It’s brutal.
@@alexpotts6520 they come to you with that option as the first option for things as simple as a broken foot or finger, or even if you say you're depressed.
@@johnnycanuck250 The Americans did the same thing with Europe. Don't worry about defense we will protect you. Just give us favourable trade deals. America knows that tanks and artillery are utterly useless in defending Canada. The US would never suffer a shared land border with Russia or China.
Great video. My college roommate is now a major in the CAF and he says the procurement process is way too slow. The equipment that is currently available is old and constantly needing repairs. Another factor not discussed in the video is the ridiculously high cost of living in Canada. The government is spending huge amounts of the budget to try and tackle healthcare, education, job creation, and housing. Until recently, most Canadians never cared about the military so it wasn't an election issue.
Funny jokes.. we're actually at it. GDP is 2 trill. 2% of 2 Trill is 20B. were spending nearly 25b. Sooo.. statistically speaking we are hitting the Target. its just spent extremely poorly.
@@theshi3152There a bit of a misunderstanding happening here. The $2.14 trillion is Canada's GDP in USD, which converts to $2.94 trillion CAD. Thats why Canada's 2023 defence budget ends up being quoted at 1.29% of GDP.
As a former CAF member I can tell you one of the biggest turn offs to serving in the military is the constant relocation problem.. They wanted to relocate me across the country and I was not willing to uproot my entire family and move across the country. My brother in law who is still in the forces and is only 35 years old has had to uproot 5 times already.
Shitty but that's the problem in a big country. I've worked with a lot of USAF and it's way worse....you're talking moving across the world every 2 years. If we let people stay in one spot we'd have some bases with nobody.
@@Kickrocks508 I think most people do but it stops a lot of good people from joining. I don't know if it would ever work but you'd certainty get more people joining and better retention if they could.
Moving to where duty takes you is basic fare for active military members. That's the duty. Every military member in USA knows that if they are told to, they have to move.
We have a big problem in Canada with the number of people still alive but Lost to the drug problem. These people are a lost generation and will contribute to the recruitment problem with our armed forces. Bringing in compulsory service might help fill the gap as a temporary soulution but this is just a small part of what is needed and the cost is going to be quite high. We are going to have to get rid of all Trudeaus cra,zy Economics and bullshit carbon fantasy. Developing good energy markets would help pay for a new defence and pay our full share to NATO.
Probably...axed by Diefenbaker...Conservative Party...not that following Liberal governments have helped out much either...but there was a lot of other things at play that resulted in the cancellation of the Arrow...AVRO was a run away train concerning spending versus actual productivity (delivering a product that was ready for use)
Unfortunately, we in the US are headed the same way as Canada at a breakneck pace. Most of our male population isn't even fit to serve right now due to out of control chronic health issues, obesity, diabetes, and overall lack of fitness. And don't even start on where we are with trying to pass psychiatric evaluations and officer candidates. We're by no means at the bottom yet, but we will be if something doesn't change soon. Canada, my heart truly breaks for you over here stateside
Everybody is headed this way buddy, our potential enemies too.. Russians are chronically drunk and unfit while the Chinese have adopted the western way of living and after decades of having nothing they've decided that the fast food is great for you.. The result is an obesity epidemic similar to ours.. So I guess our fat guys with mental problems will be fighting their fat guys with mental issues...
this subject has been in the wide open all the long just no ones willing to do anything about treaudeau sold us and is perpeously leading canada to its grave
As a Dutchman I have always considered Canada, desire the great physical distance between us, as great friends. Here we have not forgotten the huge role you played in liberating us during world war 2. As such, we know you're a great nation with a great history of pulling through for your allies. As your friend, I ask you politely to please show us your greatness again! Of course, my country is going through a similar process after neglectance as well
@@MrTakin00 The Dutch were rescued by American, Britain and Canada in Europe and Australia defeated the Japanese for the thankless task of giving them their colonies back. With such a bargain, why would the Dutch be bothered with defending themselves?
I'll put a different spin on it. I retired in 2019 after 34 years in the RCN. What I saw there leads me to believe that there is lots of money already, but it is grossly mispent. $2B to NOT buy helicopters between 1985 and 2015 is just one example. $100k to put on a new door and convert some rifle racks (for 80 rifles) from the FN to the C7/C8 in 1998. A $80k upgrade (that's what the contractor got paid) that turned into a $430K bill after the graft and administration was tacked on. I have lots of examples, but my takeaway is that Military spending is about distribution of tax dollars, not actual military capability.
16 years Army Maint. On the land side, the amount of orphaned equipment and pork barreling. 5/4 ton trucks Iveco LSVW being made by Western Star ( Kim Campbell riding), Hlvw company going bankrupt after delivering last truck. Almost as bad as Irving shipbuilding??
I'm very glad you shared this as it has always been my belief that it's how the money is spent/wasted, because why would the military be any different.
@@laurendamos6651 The military doesn't actually do much contracting. Practically everything DND buys or contracts to is done by Procurement Canada. What is so frustrating for the Military is that people think it's the military making these very bad spending decisions, when the truth is the Armed Forces are beholden to another federal bureaucracy.
Canadian here, you hit the nail on the head when you said geography, any conflict or attack involving Canada will inherently involve the USA, and we take advantage of that. And its hard to blame us, it sucks, but anyone thinking of attacking Canada is more deterred by it's proximity to US than by NATO, we could leave NATO and still be almost certain our big brother would come to our aid.
Here is why leaving the defence of Canada to the USA is wrong. 1. It is our Country. If we need to defend any part of Canada, Canadian troops should be there to defend the land area of Canada, otherwise how do we call it Canada. 2. Working smarter, not harder says that you will give up your right to choose if you leave your choice to the USA. I think this phrase when applied to military spending has so much socialist leftist proproganda attached to it. Every University and College in Canada is run by leftist/socialist ideology, and this message has been taught to all university students for years. To get a good job in the civil service you need university degree. So most of your upper middle management and senior management are influenced by socialist ideas. In this case it means to save money all you have to do is lay down and die and if someone invades, well hope nobody dies or gets a injury. The military has been the cutting grounds of fund in order for leftists to put more money into social programs. 3. Its a matter of pride. When push comes to shove, having a strong well equiped military means no one can push Canada around. 4. Canadians are vastly different from Americans, although many in the USA and Canada think we are the same. Foreign policy alone is vastly different. 5. Canada should never become a resource country, we should manufacture our own stuff here in Canada. 6. If you want to become an American immigrate to the USA. If you leave the defence of Canada to the USA, it means Canada effectively becomes a protectorate of the USA or the 51 state. 7. If seven guys eat lunch every week at a restaurant, and every week a different guy picks up the the full amount of the lunch tab, you are the guy that never pays or picks up the lunch tab ever. There is a name for people like this (free-loaders). Now imagine you are in NATO doing the same thing.
American veteran here. Honestly, if I were a Canadian politician, I'd probably deemphasize military spending too. Simply because under no circumstances would the U.S. allow Canadian security and borders to be compromised. The U.S. would defend Canada under every circumstance with the full might of the U.S. Military. That said, Canada should become an Arctic power. Their investment should be Arctic, coast guard, energy security, and cyber. Cyber attack is the most likely attack domain to be targeted by a foreign power. I'd gut the Canadian Army, I'd modernize the Navy, Air Force, and Cyber forces.
Thats the idea. Were focusing entirely on the arctic now. Also we might be putting more money into our intelligence agencies. Ever since China and India started violating our soverignty on a daily basis with assassinations and secret police stations.
This is actually the first post I agree with. Another thing that nobody is talking about is that Canada was in Afghanistan for far too long. Getting the F-35 isn't enough, we need support craft and helos. Also we don't know if the F-35 is even the right aircraft. The most northern airforce base is cold lake, because it's the last reliable northern area that is easily accessible by highway. CFB Cold Lake is a long assed way away from the artic circle where the russians fly bombers. During the 80's we were scrambling CF-18's to the arctic circle on a monthly basis. I'm not sure that they ever suffered an engine failure or not. Also the CF-18 has a longer range. After 13 years in Afghanistan we simply can't deploy to function as a large scale peace keeping force anymore. The money was being spent on subsistence level support for the troops and equipment didn't see replacement. I agree we need to spend more, but a conservative government wouldn't be the answer there. PP would just do what Harper did. Cut corporate taxes and slash spending in other places to minimize tax increases on the middle and lower incomes. Trudeau is past his best before date and doesn't pass the smell test but Poilievre would never bring Canada up to 2%. When I think of the better things that money can be spent on I don't want to see it up to 2%. Should the Ukraine fall spending can be increased, perhaps over 2%. The best way to contain russia is to continue supporting the Ukraine.
Speialization might be the way to go, and e need to get serious about the arctic, but I'd argue against gutting the Army. We will always need boots oon the ground. The Brits tried to police their empire via RAF after WW1, and found it problematic. In the Arctic, we need a persistent defence and that requires control of territory that simply can't be done by sea/air assets. Also, it'd be really nice to see us get serious about air defence as we actually don't have any AD weapons, and use of drones as a force multiplier. The Ukraine War is showing us how the next one's going to be fought. High tech, AI, and drones.
The thing everyone fails to realize is that, by the time you actually need your equipment , logistics a strong military, it’s already too late.. people think it’s pointless spending soo much on military logistics and supplies, for a war that may never come, but when it does come (it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when that happens) you are shit out of luck, because building a warship or hundreds of tanks, aircraft, small arms etc. take years to build .. the output of military gear that the U.S. produced during ww2 will NEVER be matched
I am a Canadian, I live in Saskatchewan, I am not saying sorry. I am not going to live up to that stereo type. If Canadians are sorry about this, then we need to show it in the polls. Saying sorry is not going to fix anything, that's like saying you have my thoughts and prayers when something bad happens. It does not solve anything.
"Well, Mountie Bob he chased me, he was always at my throat. He followed on the shoreline cause he didn't own a boat. But cutbacks were a'coming and the Mountie lost his job. So now he's sailing with us, and we call him Salty Bob!" -The Last Saskatchewan Pirate
Unfortunately for Canadians fucking over the armed forces is a bipartisan activity. Remember it was under Harper when all of Canadas SHORAD was retired with no replacement selected.
American here and some of the same problems in terms of recruitment are very similar here, and on top of that while I was enlisted the vast majority of good leadership that I interacted with were run into the ground. So good quality leadership would be forced while incompetent and terrible people would be promoted making everyones life below them significantly worse. Obviously this just creates an accelerating nightmare scenario where recruitment and retention is only going to grow worse at a higher rate.
We should also add that while Canada isn't keeping up with defense spending, they also are responsible for Justin Bieber and Nickelback. Offenses which, I believe, warrant a hard look at their NATO membership.
I once applied for a defense-adjacent job with the Canadian government. By the time they called me back asking for an interview, I was well over a year into my career at the company I still work for today. When you have to measure the gap between application and first interview in years, how do they expect to ever hire anybody?
I almost joined the Canadian forces a decade ago. I decided against it for 2 reasons. The first was just how terribly they equip their personnel and how it wasn't looking to get any better (it would appear I was right at the time). Its an tragedy that the people we charge with our own protection aren't even properly equipped to do so. They deserve better. The second was I entirely disagreed with where the country was moving and the conflicts we kept engaging in. I decided it wasn't worth being a statistic of a conflict our incompetent leaders would place us in simply for political whims. The largest problem I see for the Canadian Military at this point isn't even the funding but how that funding is spent. It would seem much of the highest ranking staff are not there because of merit but simply a mix of their time in and being the last people around for the job. I really like the idea of becoming more specialized. We have always excelled in specific areas of warfare. Post WW2 we had quite the aviation industry who were pioneering technologies and only 30 years after that it was basically just a husk. It would seem even we are not willing to put money into the things we are good at... As for the last part, making Canada Nato's energy guarantor is a great idea in theory but that would require having none of the left leaning parties in power as they are all looking to basically end our oil and gas industry.
Or provinces at all. It's not left leaning that's any easy out. It's the make up of our Country, natural resources are not a federal jurisdiction but provincial and let's be honest with ourselves. The provinces can't work together to allow liquor to flow properly across our borders, do you really think they are going to work together to allow more "energy" infrastructure?
Here's a thought for you.... most canadians didnt support the conflicts our leaders were getting us into, and largely still dont.... the reason spending isn't prioritized is because canadians don't see it as necessary. We don't want to send our kids to die in some pointless war about oil and ideas, if someone comes to attack us, or if the nazis come back. Sure. Otherwise, we have people to feed and hospitals to build instead of spending it blowing up other parts of the world....
@@dallasgauthier3543 For the most part I agree with that. Many don't see it as a priority at all. Why would they when the US is below us. We have basically capitulated to the US with regards to our national security. But when "someone comes to attack us or the nazis come back"... are we meant to not be prepared? Hilariously we have constantly spent less on the military and endlessly spend money on healthcare and subsidize food production while getting what seems to be less of both. My personal perspective on things is there has to be something entirely corrupt at many if not all levels of both the military and government for them to provide such poor services and results while getting a near fixed increase in funding every year. I mean... I don't per-se want to drag this off the topic of the military but our roads, hospitals, schools, etc are all seemingly clamoring for more and more money and producing a worse and worse product while we are already providing them with more and more money. Something is off here. Money is moving hands but not ending up in the products we are expecting. This is my personal frustration with many of the levels of government in Canada. At this point is the total lack of transparency on where money is going and how it is actually effecting my current standing of living (or current desegregation of such) outside of them constantly needing to send more money to Ukraine and other over seas interests is immensity frustrating. We are sending support in the form of weapons and armament but can't even support our own soldiers. We aren't even at the war and we are already scraping the barrel. It's actually rather pathetic.
@@ryeguy7941 Hah. Both of mine were in the military... Both of them were rather hesitant about me joining. Watch some form of major conflict occur in the next couple years and we will be wide eyed about possibly in a conflict in our current state. Even worse... Wait for the conscription. hahaha
As a veteran, I can tell you one thing, our HQ in Ottawa doesn’t have a shortage of people. Our militatry as been investing too much on REMF… not enough on front line people!
Buddy, there are shortages everywhere in the CAF. Our HQ is a lot top heavy, but to say we have too many support trades is just exposing your ignorance. You think the RCEME, Med Tech, or any other CSS trade is getting more money than combat arms? EVERYONE is hurting. From a guy that has done both combat arms and "REMF" work, I can appreciate the requirement for logistics.
War is a team sport. Amateurs discuss tactics. Professionals discuss logistics. W/O "REMFs, the sharp end dies. My first lesson as an XO was understanding the critical importance of the purple trades to combat effectivness. No one likes the head shed from the front lines, but when you've worked in the staff system, you get to understand how absoutly critical everything they do is to the success or failure of a military force. Without a staff system, we might as well be Sam Hughes fighting a quxiotic and very crude struggle. War requires professionalism to ensure good people don't die needlessly. You cannot do that without a competent staff and command system. Systems win wars - not individual bravery.
Maybe I should have been more precise, but in no way I include support trades, or purple trades in the REMF… I meant all HQ and Op Center people. The ones that get the medals but creates 12 layers of command in order to make a decision.
Ok - I agree with that. I think we're too tight now to have many chateau genetals, but having done a trick in NDHQ, there are a few folks who've been away from the coal face for too long. That said, they need to reorient and refocus. But any rebuild of DND will most certainly require investment in all aspects, especially command and control.
The problem is that Canada’s productivity is so low we can’t afford robust military spending. NAFTA gutted our industrial capacity and now we just ship out raw materials for others to make into valuable goods. Any Canadian company that is successful is bought by an American rival and gutted. We also have to buy foreign hardware, providing little local benefit to the spending.
As a Canadian THANK YOU!!!! for bringing this up. It has been a sore spot for so many of us for so many years yet none of our governments seem to listen. Ever!!
Something else Canada could look at for specialization is arctic. Top half of your country borders one of the new geopolitical hot zones, so invest in your icebreakers, navy and cold weather forces.
Canada operates 21 icebreakers, 19 owned by the Canadian Coast Guard and 2 are privately owned. The Polar Icebreaker will support Canada's Arctic missions, sovereignty, and presence. Canada's Icebreaker has a logistical endurance of 270 days in the Arctic. I agree Canada needs more considering Russia has more than 40.
Another Canadian Army Veteran here. Problem started way before this back when they united all three services into Bus driver uniformed CAF. Lost alot of veteran experience after 1968 unification. Kids are to smart these days anyway to put a uniform on. Look at what’s going on why get killed for whatever? Need our Saviour
This has also been a chronic historical issue with Canada since at least the early 70s. Our armed forces make a lot of disproportionate contributions to various NATO missions as well (back during the Libyan no-fly zone, Canadian CF-18s made up 10% of all air-operations etc.) but they're increasingly being underfunded while doing so because no government or political party is prepared to make a long term investment in fixing equipment, living/working conditions or doctrine etc. so the problem is allowed to get worse every decade.
I am glad you're sounding the alarm in another way. My little brother is RCN, and it's scary and sad to hear the state of the military. When I was a teen [20 years ago!] I went to Halifax to spend the day in the civil engineering department for take your kid to work day. That's when we had first got the subs, remember the holey things from Britian? Those ones. We were hard off then, and it's even worse now. Newer ships that aren't as capable as the public are told, stuff in dry docks for years, aircraft that are.... well.... double my age! We have to do better for ourselves, our brothers and sisters that have devoted themselves to our safety, and for the rest of our allies. Our Arctic is so open it's not fit!!
In 1980, the Canadian corporate tax rate was 36%. Today? 15%, one of the lowest in the OECD. In fact, corporations only contribute 25% to overall taxes collected. Over the same period of time, the feds cut building in social housing, and slowed spending in other areas. So here we are.
Yet when the corporate income tax rate was at it's highest we had some of the lowest corporate income tax intake in history.....publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/fin/F2-248-1994-eng.pdf
It should be noted that the Canadian govt is finally getting serious about raising its defense budget to get to the 2% mark, but it will likely take a while. The Canadian govt has woefully underfunded the military for a long time and something both Liberals and Conservatives are guilty of.
Well it was terrible for both parties politically every time they tried, the public just didn't support it and haven't historically since the avro died.
It will also likely never happen. While defense spending has been an issue with any government, the Liberals are saying anything at this point. All the procurement promises have a major issue: we won't have members to use them. As the saying goes, I'll believe it when I see it.
I was halfway through college and contacted the military here in Canada. Had good grades, but no money so figured I go join them. Never heard back, worked minimum wage for a year and went back to school. They missed out of an electrician 🤷♂️ Pretty sure they don’t care lol
A few things are wrong, the 2017 document is outdated for our national policy, Canada released a new one this year called ''Our North, Strong and Free''. Where it points out the north as being one of the new priority of the governement... Futhermore, Canada is investing a lot into building new ships to patrol the arctic and also invested into fixing up docks like in Lévis where the naval docks ''Davie'' is getting fixed up to build new ships..
Sadly, a close reading of the new document shows that while there are a lot of promises to study the issue and examine the various options on multiple points... there are very few actual tangible commitments to spend money and invest in the military. As for the National Shipbuilding Strategy, it pre-dates the current government by about half a decade as it was started by the previous government.
Housing. Some postings across Canada are just too expensive for personnel to live in: unable to find affordable homes, and moving literally thousands and thousands of kilometres across the country every few years: it’s not sustainable for military families.
@@franceyneireland1633 they have been increasing pay for the last few years. But the cost of living in Canada is absolutely ridiculous that it can’t keep up. Some full time regular personnel have second jobs like delivering pizzas or Uber in order to provide for their families.
Canada needs to fix its housing issues, it's cost of living issues, it's over taxing and tax on tax issues... we need to support our soldiers. A friend was posted from east coast to west coast and had to sell their car in order to pay rent... and still would be going in debt just to live. But recruiting.... our issue starts at the top. Served 23 yrs and my biggest observation is this in terms of recruiting. Canadian prime ministers, Canadian MP's...canadian government as a whole pays attention to the military once a year on Nov 11th. There is no public embrace of the military by the government. There is no public display of pride in the military by government, the military is a side show an after thought... they don't give a shit until the military is needed... then they throw money at it... but not long after... it slides back into the dark and gets ignored.... who wants to join a military that gets zero recognition or support from the powers who ask you to sign on the line and maybe to put your life on the line someday in the defence of canada. The government does exactly what he says.... pretends to protect tax dollars at the cost of timely procurement.... at a time where speed and accuracy are paramount for procurement. As time passes.... weapons and hardware improve... and time to prepare to defend shrinks...so speed of procurement more important now than ever in history.
Tbf in highschool we were told could enlist with the army and become reserves via SHSM or some similar program and even get paid for it, I know 2 guys that did it. This was only like 6 or 7 years ago btw.
I'm an American who lived in Canada for two years. All i heard about was how much better they are at drinking alcohol and how much better their military is than ours. I'll concede the first point. We don't even come close to them. But the second point is laughable. Time to put up or shut up.
First thing to do would be to get rid of all that old "unserviceable" equipment. It might look good on paper, but it's costing money just storing and pretending to maintain it. If there's anything usable left in it, give it to Ukraine.
As a heads up, the destroyer at 4:35 is HMCS Fraiser, a ship decommissioned in the 90s. Otherwise this video hit the nail on the head several times. The Forces are in a sad state, ships can't sail, planes have no pilots, and the army has no equipment. Our personnel are the best in the world but we simply now lack the equipment to do our jobs.
This is the reason I do not allow myself to be a hawk. I am an American, and both of my children are taking those self-same pills, & therefore, unfit to deserve. So I can't cheerlead us into anything because it won't be my kids at risk.
As a Canadian, I agree, our defence spending is a joke. As a country with the 9th largest GDP in the world no one can tell me that Canada can't afford 2% of our GDP on defence. 2% of our GDP on defence would be $58.8 billion. Canada can definitely afford that.
Pretty weird, eh? "We're committed to increasing military spending to 1.78% in our budget announcement. But on the other hand we're cutting a billion from their budget this year."
It is a sad state of affairs yes. But I would like to defend the Arctic spending a little bit. It isn’t as simple as saying “go defend it” the landmass alone is bigger than almost all of europe, with literally no infrastructure. Its not like there are navel dockyards dotting all those islands where ships can resupply and repair. There is no paved roads that lead to them and no people to even work at them, so it is not logistically easy to just “defend” the arctic. The fleet would always have to return to our traditional ports, all of which are the west coast, east coast or Gulf of St Lawrence. I do agree, our navy should be our biggest arm of the military, surrounded by water on three sides and a Ally on the other side, there is no reason not too. Norad os the other big investment, no one will invade us very easily, but they can launch missles and what not. Investing in defending our entire NA airspace just makes sense. Iron dome Canada and the US and Mexico and we are laughing.
Great points! But I think what the video is saying is that Ottowa is exposed BECAUSE there is no infrastructure in the north. If Ottowa started these projects today, it would take decades to catch up with other arctic countries. And that's the core of the problem. The issue isn't yesterday or today, these issues affect Canada's future. And that's the terrifying part. Russia is increasingly becoming hostile, and they are already building arctic infrastructure while spending 75-80 billion on defense compared to Canada's 30 billion. I'm genuinely frightened for our friends that are the best neighbors a country could ask for.
For the energy comments, Canada would need to remove section 35 of the constitution, remove the Indian Act, remove UNDRIP/DRIPA, and bring Canada together for national and pepvincial projects. Right now, it's way too divided, and the above points have made large-scale projects almost impossible or uninvestable when you apply actual financials to the project and the "asks" under these current multilayered polices. Until this is fixed up, you will most likely see projects continued to he stalled out or started and canceled, as it keeps happening.
@Adam-ln4og Yes, it needs to be reopened, updated, and full freedoms and rights of Canadians needs to be included. It is easier to trade with other countries than between provinces! Which is insane and needs to he addressed as well. Canada needs an overhaul for Canadians and all that live on the lands we call Canada! 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦
@guderian7795 I think it would be a "step in" or "step out" option. If they don't step into being equal on all levels with Canada and English as the national language, then they leave, and we wish them all the best, lol.
I live in Victoria, which is home of the Canadian pacific fleet. Currently available housing is below 1% and the average cost of a 1bdrm is $2200/month. Looking at some figures a navy serviceman can expect to earn $32k in their first year... Canada and by extension its forces have many problems but imagine fighting for your country and then said country is to invested in elitism and the staus qou that you cant afford to live in that country...
Canada relies on the US for defense far too much. I mean we are glad to help our neighbors but we would like to be able to know that our neighbors can also get our back if shtf.
.... that would imply that someone has actually tried to attack us🤣 we don't really have many enemies. You don't see people screaming "death to canada" or burning the Canadian flag....
@@dallasgauthier3543 If someone wants to attack the us. They will never do a direct beach assault on the us. Only hope would be a ground invasion. If only The U.S had two weak bordering nations... I'm not saying that passing through the frozen Canadian wilderness and mountains is easy. But it is easier than trying to punch a hole in U.S costal defense because with how heavily defended it is, the us air force, the navy, intelligence, all the military bases and the army. It would be suicide literal suicide. My point with this is that same geographical protection (of being close to the us) Canada took advantage of as an excuse to neglect it's own defense. Also comes with a disadvantage. You're the target/underbelly just by proxy. This wouldn't be as big of a issue if Canada's military was at least proportional for its population and wealth.
Would love to see more videos like this about other (western) counties. Just to see how under prepared we are. Also, China being like “we’re a near arctic power!” Has the same ring as “this has always been Chinese territory” like how they are in the South China Sea.
It sucks to hear this about Canada. The UK is going through similar issues and the government of both countries not funding is a huge blame. It sucks as Canada were a huge ally for WW1 and WW2 for Britain
One of the best descriptions I have heard of Britain and the Commonwealth is that they have never left the "Post-War" mindset and thus view military spending as effectively obsolete.
@@christopherharmon2433 The UK has had Labor governments only twice since the 1960s, the rest have been conservative. In Canada, Trudeau has been the only Liberal leader to get two terms since his dad, in the 80s. Conservative Governments have ruled for longer, and the fact of the matter is, "Socialism" has never been implemented in either of these countries. Blame Thatcher and Mulroney.
There's a lot of Canadians on the political left that constantly slander America. Even though America pretty much is the de facto defender of Canada's sovereignty. It shames me that so many of my fellow Canadians are so naive about the military and American support.
It’s the same in Europe. Everyone saying “The USA Spends too much on Defense.” But when the threat Looms Large. These Socialists Utopian New Age Hippies scream. “Where’s the USA?” Am a bit sick on the show myself
Very unfortunate. Having served myself in the US Army, I will say that I have served with a number of allied units across the world. I was always impressed by the Canadian's, extremely capable soldiers as we would say. Very high level of discipline and a bunch of really good guys too. Shame to see my neighbor to the north not doing so well militarily and politically as of late. Much love from your brothers to the south. Wish the best for you guys.
I remember sitting in a masters level vibrations class reading a really really cool paper from a canadian engineering research team finding a way to cut down their huey's vibrations on the pilots to reduce pilot fatigue. The total estimated cost, IIRC, to implement was in the single digit millions for the entire fleet of related aircraft. Development would probably lead to foreign sales as well for the retrofit kits. Did they do it? You know the answer.
Thats the hurtfully true part of our country. Were so ridiculously over-educated in EVERYTHING, but our communist ass government makes the resources to implement these changes borderline impossible. Rather blwo that money on stupid shit like $3.5 billion on fighting climate change in the Philippines.
As a Canadian of military age, I was wondering what my fellow Canadians would think of mandatory service for young men similar to South Korea or Singapore? I brought this up in my Foreign Defence Policy class and got pretty positive feedback, but of course I was talking to a military-minded group from the beginning with a third of us already enlisted. I know that, once again, I am asking a group of military-minded people who have clicked on this video, but I’d like to hear what you have to say. I think it is basically an impossibility that nationwide mandatory service would become a reality, especially with Quebec and its history of past conscription crisises, but perhaps individual provinces might implement a lenient version of mandatory service like Ontario and Alberta. From my time in Korea and Singapore, I can say that mandatory service has other positive effects on society such as greater community and fitness, two things that I think Canada could improve on because of our small population spread over a large area and societal influence from the south respectively. As the most educated country in the world, I think the military is an unattractive career choice for us. Most people I know regard the military as a fall back for the unemployed. But Korea is set to surpass our level of education in the next generation and they have mandatory service, indicating that mandatory service and education are not mutually exclusive options. In fact, the brevity of mandatory service probably promotes education as the military is seen less as a career option and more of a “coming of age” practice with only those who really excel taking a more permanent position in the military. But education is just one aspect of the picture. Also, mandatory service could make the Militia Myth a reality. A return to our (at least commonly believed, if not real) roots as a military nation of natural soldiers.
It may be argued, in one example, too much CAF time, money, etc. has been used for tackling domestic issues. A home guard consisting of mandatory service personnel could free regular and contract reserve members for better training-deployment-rest cycles. Of course, if we had a boatload of mandatory service members we'd need basic kit and basic training regime resources.
@@thedeejlam I actually like this idea, though the Militia was what this was supposed to be, back in the day. But then they cut Milita's out, cut numbers, etc.
Canadian here. Don't think I'd agree. If we were actively involved in a major war, then maybe we could discuss it, but otherwise this idea is dead before it hits the ground. I'm not a big fan of conscription in general and any government that tried it would be ousted like that. Covid lockdowns were regarded as authoritarian by many, can you imagine the response to compulsory military service? You bring up some of the benefits you've seen in Korea, but I'd point out Korea has their own set of issues. Extremely low birth-rates, a wealth gap arguably even worse than Canada. I'm not saying military service is the direct cause of this, but it's worth exploring. Korea also has an actively aggressive nation directly above them, so their conscription policy is more justified imo. There's also Singapore, which I don't know as much about, but I imagine their social climate is much different than ours. Harsh penalties for drug dealers or things like littering. Under such social conditions perhaps military service is more acceptable, but Canada obviously doesn't have those same social norms in place
I think it would be more effective to spend money on specialized forces rather than a bunch of people who aren't even interested in defending their own country.
The state of our Canadian military is a NATIONAL SHAME. Government priorities for 25 years are ridiculous In today’s new turbulent geopolitical times, shouldn’t a country the SIZE of CANADA have a regular armed forces of say about 250,000?
They are far from the only ones Edit: I knew we would be mentioned... Also, that picture of Belgium was taken 2 streets away from where I'm writing this.
Another Canadian here. We have three oceans, are neighbours with Russia via the Arctic, and close to Taiwan via the Pacific. We need to get our defense budget up to AT LEAST the 2% NATO commitment. We should be focusing that money on our Navy and Airforce (with Gripens, not F-35) to protect the Arctic and on the only thing we currently do well, our Special Forces.
F-35 was the only real choice for Canada. Between the types of missions the RCAF does, the supply line issues, and the question of if the Gripen can even integrate with NATO systems yet (they have only made claims so far but not backed them up yet), and finally the F-35 was actually the cheapest per airframe. Both the Super Hornet and the Gripen had a higher cost per airframe during the competition.
@avroarchitect1793 You could very well be right, particularly about the costs per unit, I don't know much about that. But as for the supply lines, I would like to see Canada move away from taking on missions in far-off lands and focus mostly on defending the Arctic. For that, I think the Gripens' ability to be maintained by small 6 man ground crews and to take off and land from short rough roadways would be very useful.
@@Dexter037S4 I am a fan of the F-15 and the EX will certainly have some exciting capabilities. Cost-wise though, I still think Gripen is the way to go.
@jasonolson1593 I think one of our main issues with fighter procurement is that the length of service time really hampers our options; If we only replace them every 50 years, we almost need to get what is the most cutting edge. Also, I think we can definitely do more than just SF. The CAF is tiny, less than 1% of Canada's population. Our combat arms is already very small, and yet we barely have modern equipment and training resources. This doesn't make a lot of sense given how resource and talent rich we are as a nation.
16 New Type 26 “Super frigate”, P8 Poseidon’s, Predators Northern drones, new LAVS, new Surface To air Defencses, Northen Ship Nval deterance, long range missle, 88 F-35’s, New Submarines, possible Tank replacement. This doesn’t compare to the new budget spending $100,000,000’s on pay and infrastructure for Military Housing. We need volunteers. 21 yr Canadian Army Veteran(NCO) retired
The housing situation in Canada is absurd for everybody. People do not join the military for the pay, obviously, but the prospect of being homeless is going to steer younger people to seek lucrative careers instead of self-sacrificing ones. They have trouble recruiting cops, firefighters, even supposedly high dollar medical jobs. So what chance does the military have when nobody can afford anything anymore? You'd think they would recognize that and at least build enough base housing so that it removes CAF personnel and their families from the pressures of the civilian housing market entirely.
@@wyldhowl2821 Well said, that was a great explanation that I totally agree with. I have to say, in my area there is a base, they started building a load more Q’s on Crown land. It’s a start, not a fix. You can’t and shouldn’t, force people to serve. 🇨🇦
I served in the CAF, my father served, my spouse is serving, her brother served and her father as well. We are very pro military. That said, the entire population of the CAF does not make up even 1% of the Canadian population. Not all, but a lot of Canadians are against having a military. This is why no political party has ever done right by the CAF and they never will. There's very little political incentive to pump dollars into the military when a sizeable amount of Canadians are experiencing a housing crisis and food insecurity. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if they'd shutter the entire DoD and declare us a pacifist nation within the next century. It's probably what they've all been wanting to do for the past 25 years but no political party wants to go down in history as being the one that killed off the CAF. I truly hope I'm wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me if it comes to that.
As a Canadian, it's not just the military it's also healthcare, education, and especially infrastructure as well. The country is pretty much falling apart. So it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that our military is falling apart too.
Canada's procurement system is a complete joke. It needs to go. Canada's military should be given a proper budget - I'd suggest 4.5% of GDP to get things to where they need to be and then maintain that with a 2% of GDP budget. Of course, when you have a wimp in charge who thinks everything can be solved with a finger wagging or a hug, he's not going to give more money for bang-bangs and pew-pews.
In what world do you think the canadian government would be able to pay 2% let alone 4.5% of GDP on military with how poorly our current economy is doing? There would be mass riots in the streets lol.
Just to correct something: In the federal budget, spending on national defense went up from 26,9B$ in 2022-2023 to 29,9B$ in 2023-2024, 33,8B$ in 2024-2025 and 44,2 B$ in 2025-2026. Please make sure you get your sources right!
Canadian veteran here. Thanks for helping to put a spotlight on this.
Looking at the manning issue from the outside looks from the outside like the junior enlisted got tired of being screwed over and left leaving the CAF without an NCO corps. Is that the feeling or am I way off base?
🌺🌺🌺🍀🌺🌺🌺
I served with Canadians in Afghanistan in 2008. Y’all are great dudes. Absolute pros
@@Ve-om7lf Canadian recruitment is terrible in general, pair that with a generation that didnt want to enroll just to be sent on "peacekeeping" missions in the middle east, military not paying well enough on entry when I looked at joining and the fact that most Canadians know that the military is underfunded.
Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice.
As a Canadian, I would like to apologize.
Sorry bud.
😂
@@deanwilliams5941I'm not your buddy, pal.
@@johnymey4034he's not your pal. Ol sport
Couldn't say it better
25 year retired veteran here... this just scratches the surface of what's going on. The bureaucracy involved to get anything accomplished is mind boggling.
I've heard that the forces are also recently very top-heavy (generals, admirals without a clearly needed 'role' for them...?)
@@falsfire Sort of but not really, with low recruitment, consolidating units and amalgamation of trades to save costs they just don't have the need for as much upper command but in the big picture you don't want to force out all your experienced command structure. Also some are not getting out like they use to or how it was structured to work, the advancement path was designed for people to cycle though in 3to6/20/25 year career cycles with only high demand special cases getting extended to 30-35 years. These days they just don't retire to make room for new blood.
Worse than the UK????? My, my.....
@@GH-tp6vu Yup, every time a different party gets elected they cancel the defense purchases of the previous government claiming they were poorly negotiated or just a bad deal. Sometimes the penalty for canceling the contract costs as much as what the program would have cost. EH101, F35, Roll-on-roll-off AOR replacements, Subs etc. The list could cover decades
The bureaucracy issue is just emblemic of our whole government structure. At all levels.
Canadian here, living in Ottawa and did some contract work for DND in procurement.
This video was too kind. Next time, please don't hold back.
The gym at my base (Canada) just spent $50,000 on a virtual golf machine. That's how we decided to spend our money.
If you have enough golfers that might actually be money well spent. In my friend group (as a non golfer) I know 15 or so that would regularly use that if it was available. The ones that would use something in a hobby I enjoy is like 3… so that might not be as bad as it looks initially
@@kyleslater5245 It's being kept in a room that has 3 holes in the roof that regularly leak.
@@MichaelSmith-ij2ut Wow. Hugs.
Are you serious?
meh. $50,000 that's what two hours of flight and maintenance time for a F-35?
As a Canadian army veteran of over 24 years, I can tell you that this situation has been ongoing for a hell of a lot longer than just the past two decades. I first pulled on a uniform in 1979 and it was every bit as bad then. Just not as well publicized.
The sad fact is that beyond the usual feel-good, flowery talk, Canada is just not committed to its military; never really has been and not likely ever will be. Talks a good game but nothing much beyond that. There isn't a single vote to be bought with defense spending. Every few years you get these same reports that could easily be carbon copies of the previous ones and they're always followed first by finger pointing, then spin, and finally by a bunch of inflated promises that are no more likely to be kept than the last batch.
I'm no fan of Trump but in a way, I'm delighted that he scared the shit out of Europe because if he hadn't, there would still be nothing coming out of there except the usual hot air and empty rhetoric we've heard since the Cold War days. That's the only way you're going to shake Canada out of it's lethargy too and I kind of hope it happens, to be honest.
Putin is shaking Europe, not Trump with his 2% empty rethoric. Luxembourg having a 2.5% of his GDP in defense doesn't mean anything superior to the fact that let's say France, an independent nuclear power with good military tools for an euro country only use 1.9%. As usual is just for the show, with Trump, to look a tough negotiator. Putin is the real NATO savior, even Sweden and Finland are in, something that was impossible in the Cold War. Entire lines of production are being resurrected thanks to him. And everybody enjoyed the ''peace dividends'' from the end of the Cold War. Another thing is Canada not having even a serious navy to defend their gigantic EEZ in the far north and the Artic.That's borderline idiotic.
Fair point
I mean essentially
From the 1950s till the 1990s
We essentially always had a larger military fundi bf then we needed
So we’ve just been letting it wither slowly
But 2000 hit
We ran out of fat
Fought the war on terror
And now it’s ??? Screwed
As with all things in like man if we’d only given Paul Martin four more years
He nation of Canada put a Field Army on the ground in Europe in WWII.
What happened between then and now?
Socialism.....
Their economy can't afford defense and a hemorrhaging socialized medicine system that under- performs a bit more every year.
@@ShmuckCanuck or given Jack Layton the Prime Minister role.
Giving Harper an extra term basically doomed this country, and now he gets a third term, because we all know Pierre is too stupid to govern on his own.
I wasn’t happy to see the title. Unfortunately, I knew it would be depressingly true.
I concur.
We should be spending more on low cost artillery like the archer mobile artillery.
Since Canada is so far away from the fight we'd be a perfect location for artillery shells production but we don't even try to increase these industries or allow Nati countries to fund startups
Yes :(
I was reading articles about it in the early 2000’s. We’ve known it for years.
Devil's advocate, but why should Canada spend more than it should? The geography IS the defence. As stated, they aren't reducing spending on things that they actually need that goes around this geography e.g. NORAD and aren't cutting budgets in things that are very good value / impact for the money, like special forces. Canada has every right to play the peace dividend that geography gives them. It makes geopolitical sense, particularly knowing any US president simply will not put the pressure on their northern neighbour like they would with Europe.
I'm a Canadian actively serving in the Army. Thank you for bringing this to peoples attention. It's been brutal attempting to train on equipment that is never there because it's either in disrepair or there is never enough. We've done well to train with what we have but it is a point of concern amongst troops considering most of us don't feel ready/capable to fight in a seemingly inevitable modern war. Hopefully we can work on fixing equipment and staffing issues sooner than later
Yup same in my day, early 70s I'm very saddened that this is still the case.
Ever since Pearson's 'peacekeeping' days it has been a downhill slide. One Quebec PM after another ignoring our military just like their forefathers ignored WWII. I was in the Naval Reserve back in the 70s and the most important objective to the Liberal Party of Canada at that time was Unification or ensuring that all services wore the same uniform thus destroying the pride that each service had from the time of WWII. Not better equipment or training but a standard drab uniform. Brought in by Justin's PM Daddy, the guy who avoided military service in WWII by hiding out in the eastern townships like so many other French Quebecers.
Thank you for your service. I hope that this next government that comes into power holds up their end of the bargain and spend the time, money, and effort to prop up our military again. You guys deserve better than this.
@@jaredjason4834 Unfortunately Pollivere (sp?) has said t hat he won't. So that leaves the NDP and I don't trust them any further than I can throw a combat loaded Leopard 2A6M tank.
As a Canadian that served I thank you for showing how very poorly our great country treats its military, shamefully.
Thank you for your service.
There’s nothing great about your country anymore, man. Sorry to be the one to break it to you.
Our country sucks now so therefore the military will as well
Socialism has broken Canada, and we are next. The Russians will win because of our irresponsibility.
yeah canadians suck so the CAF sucks. If they recruited from another country that would be best
Hi: Canadian War Studies grad here. Thank you for shining light on this. I've been anxious about our amature defence policy since I joined in 1991 - you nailed it!!! We have to get serious about the defence of the arctic littoral. Our Arctic patrol vessels are under armed and far too few. The CPF Halifax class frigates were designed in the mid 1980s. The Kingston class MCDVs are not combat capable at all. I served in the in 90's and 00s. Our militay procurment system has been a debacle since the 1960s. We no longer live in a fireproof house far from flammible materials. DND is a frigging byzantine nightmare, our procurement system's been a disaster since the Boer War, and the Ross Rifle. We are incredibly reactive and pedantic in kit replacement/upgrade. Personnel who serve are damn proud, but without proper numbers, there's simply too much work for too few people. This caises all the prirals of burn-out, remustering, AWA a nasty feedback loop in planning and operations. Several ships for eg, are alongside simply because the RCN doesn't have the people to crew them. At the end of WW2 we had a full Army, the 3ed largest Navy on Earth, and a sophiticated and highly competent air force. I'm reminded of he old adage: every nation has a military: if not theirs, than someone elses. We have to get serious and smart about investment or we will be useless. The next conflict is already in process. We are kitted like it's 1995. Our government does not take defence seriously - regardless of party in power. We are slumbering peacefully while the house is being consumed by a neighborhood fire. Good news? If we get serious about restructuring, we will be starting from scratch. Drone warfare has become a true game changer. So we have an oppertunity to hop aboard the true RMA this tech represents and restructure easily our systems.
Exactly!
Thank you for your service. Do you have any input into how Canada can increase the size of it's military or what can Canada do to encourage enlistment, besides new fighter jets and naval ships and subs?
@franceyneireland1633 in my opinion, based on working in Personal as well as being a MARS officer, we need teams of service and conditions that mean when people are deployed, the have bedrock knowledge that their families are being looked after. We need a procurement policy that is financially sound as well as being effective to ensure the right kit gets to the right places/people at the right time. We have ALWAYS sucked at this in Canada. Some folks on this thread are lamenting the soft stuff of quality of life. I disagree. If you want people to pick up the unlimited liability clause, you have to pay them well, and ensure their families are supported. Our people are our best assets. We need to do a vastly better job of supporting them.
you sound like a redditor
@@franceyneireland1633 Big ticket purchaces are one thing. What we need to do is focus on quality of life and personnel support services. The old joke :"I love the effing Navy, and the Navy loves effing me" is based in hard bitter truth. The CF is slowly getting better, but serving personel AWA vets are treated like crap. Our vet suicide rates are up there with the US. We don't do enough to look after our people which are vastly more important than any kit purcace. That said, the procurement process is absurd. The Sea King helecopters I occasionally flew in in the late '90s were first purchaced in 1963. I knew guys who were flying the same air frames as their freaking granddad did. Subs: we spent over an entire officer's career from RMC to retirement tryying to replace them. It's a very unfunny joke. We have to streamline the process and take defence out from being a political football, and putting it in the realm of "EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS". As long as political parties get in pissing matchs over defence and don't take it seriously like health care, pensions, ect: functions of state that trancend politics, we will be locked in this circle-jerk.
The procurement system is absolutely abysmal and FAR more costly than people think.
I cannot agree enough.
100 % Canadian government move tell you it’s there to save money but then it costs way more and more money gets to go missing
Almost always, the tail (the procurement system) wags the dog (the CAF).
sum it up in 1 word.... Irving
As a Canadian, fuck the armed forces
Canadian army veteran here. I completely support everything you said. There's one thing that isn't mentioned, however, and it would be hard for someone to get it from published reports: culture. The culture both in the Canadian military, and in the general population is problematic on this issue. Within the military, the upper leadership is often woefully out of touch with the daily lives of working soldiers, what's needed, what's useless, and what the pain points are. Invariably, all efforts to address recruitment and retention issues widely miss the target. There is also a severe and growing problem of inefficiency in decision-making, resource allocation, kit supply, and general quality of life. This is what leads mid-level staff (senior NCOs and junior officers) to eventually quit and find greener pastures.
As for the general Canadian population, there is an overwhelming lack of interest and understanding, stemming from a well-fed entitled attitude of "why should I?", especially from younger age brackets in urban areas. The socio-political climate in Canada is FAR more focused on social activism; and this is the basket into which the government tends to put all its eggs. This isn't me wagging my finger at 'kids these days,' it's just the statistic. There are exceptions, of course, but generally speaking Canadians these days feel safe, un-burdened, and therefore un-bothered with such things as the ability to defend ourselves or assist our allies. You did allude to this point in the video. That being said, with a population that largely leans in that direction, you will either produce a culture where politicians consider it political suicide to spend money on the military, or produce a culture where politicians actually believe that it's unimportant; or both. I think you're correct about the spending problems that Canada faces. The hardest step is often the first step, and I don't see the situation changing in Canada until we have a fundamental shift in perspective amongst our more entitled population, which will allow the House of Commons to properly tackle the military's issues. How do we achieve that? I legitimately have no clue. Being attacked by a foreign power would be one way. Not exactly ideal, but I don't know how else to make the horse drink the water.
Well said.
Also, everyone who says "I'll join up when Canada is attacked" doesn't realize that by that point it is already far too late.
Well said! Head of the nail has been accurately hit.
I WILL say that your spot-on description of the current younger demographic as ‘why should I?’ is not something new. There are a lot of people in this country, (although in the minority I think/hope), who couldn’t care less about the significance the CAF consistently makes for Canada, locally and internationally. We’ve always punched above our weight. But there are even some who didn’t even know Canada HAD a military let alone what it does. I blame this on 2 things: 1) Canadians have been lulled into this false sense of security. They’ve generally enjoyed living in a country with relative peace and harmony since Canada was last invaded by foreign entities in 1812. (And aren’t we lucky to have had that luxury!) There’s never really been any fear or anxiety wrt being attacked because, “Who would want to do that to Canada? And even if they did, we have the superpower might of the US military to protect us!” Now I am in no way wishing for us to be attacked but I think you’ll agree that there exists today a very real and plausible threat. And to have to rely heavily on the US military is not feasible and given recent political mess they find themselves in congressionally, probably not entirely wise.
2) To a lesser extent but no less significant, the CAF has done an absolute abysmal job of informing /promoting the Forces to the Canadian public. This job is now even tougher as they try to deal with the fallout of the list of rapes/sexual assaults committed by some high level brass that have come to light. Couple that with trying to change the CAF culture of sexual harassment and abuse and it’s damn near impossible to recruit anyone who’s watched the news or had surfed the web in the last 5 years.
I don’t know what the answer is either, but a good start would be the governments (blue, red, orange; it doesn’t matter), to stop cutting military budgets and start to take a significant and realistic vested interest in the defence of this country.
Thank you for your service. 🇨🇦
Ready Aye Ready ⚓️
@@OoavastoOThe only place I've seen them advertise is at local comic cons, and I can't think of a worse demographic to throw flyers at, lol.
The problem is the only foreign power that has ever attacked us with the intent is the one our leaders now worry about "disappointing". (The same one all our toxic politics comes from.) I welcome the idea of a Canada that can defend itself better, but that goes hand in hand with defending OUR interests and territory, not to defend someone else's lunatic ideas of global supremacy. Call me a nationalist, or loyalist (not a "patriot" thank you very much), but if we're not making up our own minds on strategic / military matters, we're already a dead, conquered nation.
They might do better at getting funds and recruiting too, if the public had the sense it was always for Canada, not some bass-ackwards agenda where we tailor what we buy purchase armaments and spend our blood helping someone else project power to advance their interests. I'm not talking about isolationism, just independence of decision making, being our own masters first, and getting involved in alliance causes & expeditionary conflicts second. The warriors of the Canadian Forces generally get respect for their competence, professionalism, and bravery. But none of that depends on having the approval or disapproval of allies,
I have yet to see politicians in my adult life who understood any of this. They live in a world of stereotypes, alarmism, and campaign optics. Their policies seem to be the product of myths rather than reality - competing myths to be sure, but that competition seems to hold Canada back from every taking its own strategic needs seriously, or fixing the procurement system so it's not a permanent example of how not to decide, design, and build capabilites.
All government spending is a choice, a setting of priorities, and survival really is at stake, in so many different ways.If society does not collectively make sacrifices towards these goals, that means gutting something else important to pay for it. It's measured in other things not built, other lives not saved, other future planning we'll fail at. Therefore, it is hard to argue in favour of funding a system that always seem broken and threatens to piss away enormous sums of money for causes which might not even be our own. That is why the political resistance is just as strong as the desire for a more capable military; until "they" who hold power up above clean up their act, it is likely to remain so.
I also think our immigration rate and multiculturalism has eroded the public's sense of patriotism and attachment to a source of natural pride like the forces. Very sad.
As an American, I don't mind coming to Canada's defense. That being said however... Canada needs to realize they very much have a Russia problem to their north and are not as isolated as they may think they are. If you don't want to do the work yourself, at the very least, you need to build up the military infrastructure in the north and lease it out to the US so we can. We can not have Canada being NATOs soft underbelly. A disaster in Canada absolutely would affect NATOs collective defense and thats unacceptable.
You spoke my very thoughts.
How are they having a Russia problem? They never had issues with them before.
@@GothPaoki We have had issues in the arctic with the Russians for decades.
@@organicwest really? You mean territorial disputes ?
Geography is our biggest problem and advantage. Tanks helicopters and artillery would be useless in defending Canada.
I spent 37 yrs in CAF and watched its decline from about year 4 to the present. Thanks for spreading this message. It’s negative but there is light but it’s 5yrs down the road.
I do like your solutions. We do have huge resources that have not been developed. They also need to be protected. Unfortunately, the current government has said no to our allies for oil and gas. We have lots and most of us would be happy to provide this service. The cyber
element requires an injection of capital to acquire upgrades to our current systems. In the end , I don’t believe our government is willing to spend money on anything that resembles a sustainable military.
We can only get better when we accept the facts on the ground. We've been sniffing our own farts for decades. We have to get serious about national defence or we will wake up one fine day and realize we don't own it any more. And this is a socialist talking.
As a Canadian I sincerely cannot apologize enough for this comment section.
Our neighbors up north: talented at hockey, poutine, and apologizing.
apologize not for this but electing an absolute clown leader called Justiner Trudeau
@@extraordinarygamer937 Vast majority of the country votes him out, but the core of toronto and vancouver keep him in. But he will most likely be beaten out by the conservative leader in the next election.
sorry about all the apologies
😅
As a Canadian i honestly don’t know where our tax money goes everything in our country is overwhelmingly underfunded with how high our taxes are we need a change in this country to take care of its citizens
Probably right into pockets
It probably gets paid out to politicians' pockets tbh.
Don't worry though! Soon we'll be the People's Republic of Canada and we'll need wheelbarrows full of cash and hours of standing in line to buy bread. 🤔
No more foreign hand outs and limited immigration.
@@billfarley9167foreign aid is money we give for them to buy our wheat. It’s of net benefit to Canada.
Wasn't any different under the Conservatives, they all serve the corporate master.
As a Canadian, first, we’re sorry, second, as for the recruiting, a ton of us would like to join, but the recruitment process is hella slow, takes years just to hear a no for some section 8 (a sad thought they had in grade 2)
It's hard to recruit completely sober people for the military in a country where most of us smoke weed. 😂
Y'all are welcome here in the States. Governments are dogshit. Our Peoples are Family
I was about to join until I heard about the sexual assaults that female staff are exposed to. This generation will simply not accept abuse as the last.
@@metalheadlass9868 don't worry, Canadian miliary needs fighters, not desk workers
Take a lesson from Marines and french Legion it isnt hard earned requirements pushing people away. If you dont lower standards for women and make everything soft the men will show up to challenge themselves.
We’re a country that, since being the reason behind a shocking amount of the Geneva Suggestions, has relied entirely on our proximity to America as a deterrent, and a reason to not spend on our military...
Unfortunately, current leadership has no interest in actually increasing military funding - and even if they were, I’d be willing to bet a lot of the increased funding would be “lost” in the black hole that is government spending and bureaucracy.
To put a fine point on it, no recent leadership has been interested in increasing funding. Whether Liberal or Conservative, it doesn't matter. And that's only part of the issue.
@@twiztedsynz To be fair that's because up until recently increasing military spending was a poison pill politically for any ruling party in Canada ever since we were pressured us into stopping the avro arrow program.
HLC fistbump
As an American, you can be forgiven for "leaning" on us. We are obviously ready to be belligerent at a moment's notice.
@@corvus1801 Oh absolutely. Because the Arrow was advanced enough it beat anything the US had and "That Just Would Not Do". Our PM at the time bowed to Kennedy so here we are. IMO he set precedent for Canada to be "subject to protection" from the US, instead of us standing on our own.
As a Canadian, I apologize for our shortcomings in NATO. I’m a firm believer in ramping up defence spending and maybe even developing our own military industrial complex to whatever capacity we can.
We DEARLY need to arm ourselves in the event the worst comes to pass. Yes, we were beasts in WW1 and WW2, but 80 years of (relative) peace have weakened us a lot. The world is grabbing Canada by the shirt and shaking us awake, so it’s high time we do so and get our stuff together
Just remember, it's the Geneva Convention, not the Geneva Suggestions.
Inflation is far more likely to kill us before a world war will if ever.
@@mr.brutus1369 only if you're historically illiterate.
step one tredue or whatever his name you all know what has to be done
Good, do it you bums instead of having us from the States foot the bill.
As a veteran, I offer my opinion on dealing with retention. 1) Uniformed Military service should be tax exempt. This will draw more recruits and assist in retention of current members. 2) As soon as basic training is complete, unless a trade course is immediately available, a recruits should be forwarded to an appropriate trade unit for OJT training until a trade course is available. 3) Since it is all but impossible for a military member of Canada to collect Employment Insurance after leaving the military for ANY reason, CF members would pay into a separate investment fund, an equal amount (instead of EI payments ) to be returned to the member only on release. 4) Re-signing bonuses.
Makes sense.
Unfortunately, we are too dependent on our allies. Fifty percent of our warships, planes, and war vehicles are no longer usable, and those that remain are mostly old and not modernized. If a war breaks out and we are involved, we would not be ready and unable to defend ourselves alone without the help of other allies. Our factories would not be able to produce or supply enough ammunition, equipment, weapons, combat vehicles, or warplane ect... Simply because we have neglected most of our factories and no longer produce but instead buy from abroad. Our army is neglected. Even our bunkers are pitiful; they are over 50 years old, using outdated technology for the most part, and wouldn't even withstand a nuclear attack or function normally for more than a year. It's really disappointing because if Canada invested more in our military and money was well spent and not wasted, we would be much stronger. We could defend ourselves without relying on other countries' help. I feel like we've forgotten that during a war, our allies won't always be able to defend us.
I mean... dependant for what? There is no viable threat to our homeland. There is no viable threat to our homeland in the foreseeable future.
Most canadians don't want to be the world's police. Most canadians don't want to be fighting pointless wars for oil in all corners of the middle east... if there was a threat to our country canadians would feel different about the defense budget... but it's a defense budget, not an aggression budget... not a deterrent budget....
When your justifications for increasing our defense spending is "defending Taiwan from a Chinese invasion" why the fuck would canadians see the need?
@@dallasgauthier3543 1) You completely misunderstood my message. What I was saying is that we no longer have the capabilities to defend ourselves without help because our army is pitiful. If there's a war tomorrow, it's going to be a mess. Only 52% of our combat vehicles are unusable, and 50% of our warships are unusable. There's a shortage of ammunition, and our soldiers have to buy their own boots. There's a lack of 16,000 jobs in the military, and our vehicles, warships, and jets are completely outdated; some are old as hell, with our frigates alone being 40 years old. What I mean is that we shouldn't even expect to be helped by anyone. If we're dependent on USA's and Nato aid, what will happen if the USA and Nato? What would happen if our allies couldn't help us if we were attacked because they no longer have the military capabilities to do so after several battles? finally decides not to help us and they'd be better off dropping Upper Canada or all Canada because anyway, we're not even capable of protecting it ourselves? What will happen if our allies don't defend us because we're not worth protecting at the cost of all our allies being hit by nuclear bombs for having directly involved themselves and thus triggering a nuclear war
What will happen if the NATO countries don't help us because we can't even manage to pay the 2% of GDP for the military budget in NATO?
2) The reasons that prove we're not out of danger and that any country could attack us:
- For a long time now, Russia has been threatening us due to the numerous resources and new pathways with the melting ice in the Canadian Arctic. We must constantly have troops in the north to protect and assert our territory.
- We're a country with an enormous amount of resources. We're one of the biggest energy powers. Canada is the 2nd largest energy producer and the 4th largest renewable energy producer. In Canada, 81% of energy is renewable, and in some provinces like Quebec, it's 99%. Canada's oil sands are the world's third-largest proven oil reserve. Additionally, we have the most freshwater in the world. We have a vast consumable marine biodiversity, and Canadian agriculture is one of the most productive and significant globally, particularly in terms of export. We're the 3rd country with the most trees. Canada is a major producer of zinc, iron ore, and copper. In Canada, about 30 mining operations are copper sources, a critical ore needed for clean technologies. Just for resources, any country could attack us. So, I'm telling you, in a potential world war or war, do you believe Canada could defend itself, and would and could our allies defend us? No.
@@darkerenjager4077
He seems like the type who believes the biggest threat to Canada is truckers critical of Trudeau.
If Canada doesn't change it will be the Dodo of modern history. A nation too stupid and placid to survive.
@@darkerenjager4077 1) you're missing the point I think. Yes I agree with all the issues, but the commenter was saying that there is no chance of war for Canada, we don't have a situation where we might have to defend ourselves.
But also, if our NATO allows are so beleaguered they can't help us, then we would also already be losing a war. And, unless America was facing a direct invasion which is really an impossibility, Canada will always be the more important front because it's in North America.
2) buy the same token, there is no other nation with the capacity to occupy the arctic. The only country both capability and with motive to ever threaten Canada is the US, particularly for the energy and water resources listed, and also if either country shifted into a less democratic or western state, and it's simply not reasonable to think 2% of GDP in defense spending is going to be relevant. Like fundamentally no country is going to cross the Pacific, invade over the Rockies, and set up complex pipeline and SAGD insitu bitumen extraction equipment. So it's either the one to the south where all the pipelines go (and who relys in the oil), or it's no one.
As for Russia, it can't invade a Russian speaking country that was part of Russia for hundreds of years where all the infrastructure is designed for Russian equipment and the population speaks Russian. Which isn't part of NATO. Their single aircraft carrier regularly breaks down and has a designated tow boat. I mean they could nuke us, but short of that they aren't operating across an ocean that is still frozen over half the year, to occupy land with no infrastructure and so little value we don't occupy it.
@@dallasgauthier3543 @neolithictransitrevolution427 In April 2021 Putin filed a submission to extend a claim to the Arctic, all the way into Canadian and Greenland (Denmark) continental shelf and economic zone, as part of Russia's continental shelf. In other words, a situation where they're claiming the entire Arctic Canadian and Danish continental shelf as part of the Russian continental shelf. Putin in a little over a decade as built eight modern military bases in the Arctic with year around staff, nuclear sub capable of surfacing thru 5 feet of solid ice, nuclear ice breakers, airstrips and nuclear weapons capable of hitting the east coast of the USA. Putin is threaten by the US capabilities, therefore he has built up the Arctic if the US should attack Russia. The US and Canada combined doesn't have enough ice breakers to patrol the Arctic. If you're not concerned about Russia building up a military near our Canadian borders, ask Ukraine if they should have been concerned. Soviet and later Russian subs have been spotted in the territorial waters of Canada, plus Russian fighter planes have buzzed both Canada and the US. According to a 2011 report old Soviet Cold-War-era nautical charts from the 1970's of the Canadian Arctic marked with the hammer and sickle symbol surfaced that were published by the Russian Hydrographic Service which are more accurate than those of Canada. These charts contained many more depth soundings than corresponding modern Canadian charts. Including Nares Strait which is still choked with thick, hard, multi-year ice and would have been even more so 50 years ago, the only way the Soviet government could have acquired data for the charts is from nuclear submarines secretly patrolling it. Putin wants control of both the Northeast Passage, the Northwest Passage of the Arctic plus all the natural resources in the Arctic. Russia had more nuclear weapons and power in the Arctic and nuclear-armed long range torpedoes known as “Poseidon a special missile that create a radioactive tsunami. I'd also reconsider if you think Putin will only annex the Canadian Arctic, when Canada has so many other natural resources when Canada doesn't have the defence to even discourage Putin from trying to do so.
In 2018 Beijing agreed it would cooperate with Russia on a new Arctic silk route, signing 20 bilateral documents and agreeing to invest in the region. As part of this Beijing will build several Chinese docks across Russia's north in ports. Beijing would also like to have control over Canada's oil and natural gas.
As a Warhammer 40k fan I thought it said Cadia and I was like “nuh uh” and clicked on the video real quick. Only to realize it’s warographics and it’s about Canada
The planet broke before the guard did. Cadia Stands.
@@harrisonlichtenberg3162
Cadia Stans
An understandable mistake, probably intentional click bait.
@@kevindaniel1337 Maybe you ought to slow down and read the entire statement 🤣
Brother…I worry you may be dyslexic
That moment you hate the title and the content of the video because you absolutely agree with everything said
CAF Veteran here... its embarrassing to see polling numbers where only 10% of our population see defence spending as a priority. Canadian citizens should be embaressed by their lack of will to spend on and enroll in the CAF
Since Putin's invasion of Ukraine, I swear it became one of my top priority.
Sadly, that could mean voting for a party inspired my maga so I'm kindda fucked about that.
I tried, but they never took me.
@mattd5240 things happen... but you put yourself out there which is admirable.
@@jimalbipoor guy you probably voted for Trudeau
Canadians have a Prime Minister who said "If you kill your enemies, they win". I have a feeling this might be connected to the problem under discussion.
It's not. As much as many of us may hate Trudeau this has been an ongoing thing long before him.
Whether or not sock boy believes that. Since the 80s it's gone down more and more
Yeah this problem started decades before our current PM so enough with the blame shifting .
@@JoeC92 It all started under a CONservative government, the Conservatives are the ones who've cut funding.
@razorburn645 is he helping our case? No, and especially now where the world is ramping up for ww3
@@JoeC92 From the 80's? so you mean since Pierre Trudeau?? the blame is 100% on that family
The British love their tea, the Americans their guns. We Canadians love spending as little on military matters as we can possibly get away with. Aside from WWI and WWII, this has been true for as long as there has been a Canada to speak of.
America is becoming more isolationist as we speak
Canada will need to step up
Every nation has an armed force: if not their own, than someone else's.
TBF, you guys DID kick our butts both times we tried to invade your country. :)
@@josepherhardt164 LOL! Best rule of thumb for dealing with Canadians: buy us a beer, we'll guard your back all night. Get between us and a beer, and you'll be picking up your teeth with broken fingers.
Now that is a very clear, honest comment, and very true. Very good......
As a Canadian, Thank You for covering our abysmal state of the military. The passiveness of this country on all issues is starting to truly show after the last ten years. Money laundering, housing, the military, Service/company monopolies, over-immigration, economy, etc are all in a state from not wanting to make the hard decisions that could make people unhappy but be what was required to be done.
Legal weed = Passiveness.
Well, not surprising. A lot of Canadians want everything handed to them while not working
@@AaronFromGuildfordnot really. They made hard decisions when they were given independence and still not dependent on the US but now that they are a US dependent they do nothing but this time Washington isn’t going to step in to make laws for them like London did.
@@keahililia8208 Lol, Stop with this "No one want's to work" bullshit. I literally see news articles from the mid 1800s saying the same shit.
@@Varitok1 So instead of seeing this as a trope of human societies you want to assert it's not a factor at all? GG 👍
Thank you for pointing out that this has lasted for literal decades. Some people like to attack the PM on this subject like he caused it when in reality both parties who have been in power, as you mentioned, did not only reach their NATO goal, they did little to try.
Canada actually used to have a extremely advanced airforce. It would be cool to go into that again.
Trudeau is still extremely at fault, that idiot decided to defund us again and has been in control for almost 10 years
Both Libs and Cons are guilty over the decades.
Canadian personnel selection officer here. A large part of my job is making sure we get enough applicants for key roles and converting applicants into recruits with the KSAs needed to be effective in the role. I think you got close to the root problem being Psychology. Part of the issue is yes, on the whole Canadians do not feel threatened in any way and so the military is an easy punching bag for government overspending. I'd say even more central than that however, is we lack a warrior ethos as a nation. Compared to say an American, your average Canadian is unwilling to be involved in judicious use of violence, to view the armed forces as an instrument of stability and peace, or to be willing to be involved in a conflict if war broke out. At the same time, our Armed Forces have evolved to the point you need strong technical competencies, qualifications, and critical thinking for most support and technician roles. Ever tried to convince a university grad to take less money and have to be combat-fit? It's miserable trying to convince Canadians to join up, and many who apply do so only for combat-active roles which as this video showed, is not where the bottleneck is.
Great comment! I’m 47 and I almost signed up after 9/11 (when I was 24). Then again I almost signed up in 2006 when when the Canadian Army was deployed to Kandahar. However, I never believed in Nation Building. I knew NATO could not turn Afghanistan into a Jeffersonian democracy.
The good news is, our leaders finally understand that now, and we are returning to focusing our military on tradition national defence and fighting for true allies overseas.
I am applying for the Canadian Armed Forces now: I just passed my CFAT tests 👍🏻
i tried to join as an Avionics System Tech in the summer of last year, 99th percentile in the aptitude test, im fit physically, but i was denied this January for health documents from when i was a minor with incorrect information on them. Ive been trying to appeal but should I even bother?
@@zacharyreid7557 Yes.
The real problem is RETENTION. People quit after a few yers when they realise that this "scoolyard king-of-the hill battle" is not for them. The place is managed like a dictatorship and only those that are liked rank up, Not the people who work hard.
@@samtheman1287100% and when you look at it when you are older you can tell the problem is overwhelming bad people in management role.
Canada is not going to be a mid-level power in the next two decades. Our country is collapsing internally, we've lost our identity, the young are disconnected and despise the entire system, and expertise is bleeding to the US.
The people we are mass importing have no loyalty to Canada, they see it as a piggybank or escape from conflict and so don't enlist. The young see themselves as despised, unserved by their government, and replaced, and therefore don't enlist either. Politically we are fucked. Canada has no hope of being a military asset to NATO, it will be a gigantic burden, short of a national reform and revolution.
Sadly, true. Yet you people kept voting for Tru-dump.
"The people we are mass importing have no loyalty to Canada" Okay but this isn't new? Immigration has been happening since the 1900's. You realize that even long-standing French-Canadians don't always want to enlist and go to war, yeah? See the Conscription Crises in the World Wars?
Yup I live here and you 100% hit the nail on the head.
Spewing replacement theory are we?
@@user-xh2yg4uv9q Never mind that the greatest brain drains in Canada happened under Diefenbaker and Harper. But please go on.
Im not Canadian but i think the reason Canada military is not been built up is because everytime Canada miltary is used the Geneva convention gets expanded 😂.
Memes aside the real reason is that we're sitting on top of America and it's massive military. Why invest in our own when we're friends with the top dog, and covered by their nuclear shield. That's what many Canadians believe, they haven't realized that America as powerful a country as it is can't do everything alone.
@killman369547 they also haven't realized the American people are about sick of our allies always relying on us.
Most Canadians still have that switch but unfortunately that isn’t the reason, as the video emphasized our government has leaned on the protection and strength of the US military for decades and now it’s catching up
Well u r not wrong, so we just buy food aid.
@@killman369547 another thing is if we look historically; The Americans are very notable for coming to Aid extremely slowly. World War 1 and World War 2, both Canada was forced to stand without American Support for years and we need to stop being dependent, We should be at least reaching the expectations to uphold our own weight. btw for record; I am not bashing the United States for joining these wars late, I am just stating we shouldn't be solely depending on the expectation when we aren't even holding up our own weight.
I appreciate that this video also explores solutions. So many of our conversations are deconstructive because we just want to make others feel inferior, even at a subconscious level. Getting to the heart of the problem and truly solving the problem takes a constructive approach and invites problem solving from everybody. First and foremost I believe this issue needs to be explained to the average Canadian. As one myself, I feel a big issue is many Canadians don't even realize there is an issue in the first place. Videos like this help a lot spreading the word. A shift in attitude from the general public is unfortunately the only way I see the government caring themselves enough to take any action. Thank you Simon and the Warographics team.
Thanks for spotlighting this. I'm a Canadian veteran, and thank God I'm out, but feel for all those still serving. We're going to pay in blood for our lack of commitment....Thanks again, Cheers-JHW
No ! The us will.
Kinda why we're upset.
You are the nato Ali with the longest border with Russia.
This is about your government; not your soldiers!
We just think you need to bring more to the fight than webblys, mkI Enfields , and P.I.A.Ts
As a Canadian that has spent his entire adult life obsessing with history. I know how important history is. I just wish our government would understand how important it is to keep up and maintain a significant military and defence. We are going to be depended on and at this rate we won’t be able to.
12 year old mindset. there is no logical reason beside it being cool to drastically increase anything in Canadian defence besides NORAD. No threats, strongest country protecting, amazing geography, spending on defence would be a complete and utter waste of better used money. the best option is to keep spending as low as NATO allows them too, and invest in the economy. That or invest in innovating a better arms industry in order to make export.
@eee-cz3cj What are you on. If Russia wanted to, they could have a land,naval, and air invasion of Alaska within days.
My thing is if Russia and China are back to being our mortal enemies as they seem to be gearing towards, Canada was to support the US in defense of the skies over North America, frankly given the current state one has to brutally ask...could Canada actually even help in any conflict right now even on its own territory? We know that answer is regrettably... no, as it stands Canada, if it even had to play a supporting role outside maybe material, they wouldn't be able to even sustain a battalion at this point. People mock Germany but Canada frankly makes Germany look like it's ready for ww3.
@eee-cz3cj they barely even invest in their exports lmfao that's kinda the problem. Investing in defensive would unironically help fix that issue *shrugs* but yeah just abuse your position until everyone tells you to fuck off...seems like a smart strategy especially considering Canada needs American trade to actively support its economy.
The government is too busy banning guns and censoring their scandals from the news...
Yeah, as a Canadian I'm slightly embarrassed how poorly defended we are
We're very well defended. By natural geography. And if an actual world war breaks out that requires us to go save France and Holland's ass again then we'll be there with a full war time economy just like last time.
What do you mean? Canada is defended by the most powerful military in the world, the US Armed Forces!
Same
@@buffgarfield3231 Our success in WW1 was because we learned the lessons of the Boer War and invested in logistics and organization. Our WW2 effort the same. We don't just majically become an arsenal of democracy like turning on a switch. It requires careful planning and serious financial investment/committment. Next war will start fast, and you dance with the gal you brought. We need to invest now. Ramping up production takes at bare minimum, at LEAST 24 months. We simply don't have the time to be complacent. We need to do this now.
@@buffgarfield3231 buddy the days of a full war time economy is long gone. just look at the US, our economy crippled because gas raised a dollar. and it never recovered despite gas lowering a dollar. the only thing war could bring is more jobs and companies and excuse to raise prices due to false shortages and them never reducing the price. as what happened with the gas raising, then in fact, decreasing
All i can say is, I applied and it took then 3 years and literally losing my file behind a desk to tell me I was rejected for 9n medical grounds for having a couple bouts of depression in my late teens and early twenties some 15 years earlier with zero issues since, as signed off by the psychiatrist they suggested I have affirm to habe ny file reconsidered, after which I was still denied. All I can say when I see 'hiring' signs and stores about recruitment woes is 'hey, I tried' with a shrug.
Yep - it's a mess. FWIW, in COS ADM(PER) we IDed this bottle-neck back in 1995 and no one listened.
The military isn’t the only thing with absurd wait times. Getting anything done regarding government services means you’re waiting absurdly long, whether it’s healthcare, permits, or infrastructure repair and maintenance. It’s brutal.
Idk. If you're waiting for assisted dying they're pretty quick to pull your tubes out 😉
Even trying to get a condo built can take up to 10 years for the permits to get the green light
@@alexpotts6520 they come to you with that option as the first option for things as simple as a broken foot or finger, or even if you say you're depressed.
From a southern neighbor; from what it looks like it is their government that is failing them. Which I can thoroughly empathize with.
This has been going south for well over 60 years. Since you think it needs to be blamed on someone, it starts with Diefenbaker.
The govts been failing us for over 30 years
@@organicwest To be more specific, we can probably blame the Americans that made him kill the Avro Arrow as the first pebble in this landslide.
@@johnnycanuck250 The Arrow was outdated by 1959, had the ICBM not been tested Diefenbaker probably would've said "no"
@@johnnycanuck250 The Americans did the same thing with Europe. Don't worry about defense we will protect you. Just give us favourable trade deals.
America knows that tanks and artillery are utterly useless in defending Canada. The US would never suffer a shared land border with Russia or China.
Great video. My college roommate is now a major in the CAF and he says the procurement process is way too slow. The equipment that is currently available is old and constantly needing repairs. Another factor not discussed in the video is the ridiculously high cost of living in Canada. The government is spending huge amounts of the budget to try and tackle healthcare, education, job creation, and housing. Until recently, most Canadians never cared about the military so it wasn't an election issue.
Canadian Sailor here. Thank you for spreading awareness about this. Command is careful to admit how dire the situation really is.
I'm signing up for the Naval Reserves. Any tips you want to send my way would be appreciated.
Canadian 🇨🇦 here. We haven't broken 2% since 1988... its very upsetting to me.
Funny jokes.. we're actually at it. GDP is 2 trill. 2% of 2 Trill is 20B. were spending nearly 25b. Sooo.. statistically speaking we are hitting the Target. its just spent extremely poorly.
@@theshi3152There a bit of a misunderstanding happening here. The $2.14 trillion is Canada's GDP in USD, which converts to $2.94 trillion CAD. Thats why Canada's 2023 defence budget ends up being quoted at 1.29% of GDP.
@@theshi3152my friend, 2% of $2 trillion is $40 billion, not 20
@@kutter_ttl6786 Fair enough i did no conversions so yes that would account for some discrepancy.
As a former CAF member I can tell you one of the biggest turn offs to serving in the military is the constant relocation problem.. They wanted to relocate me across the country and I was not willing to uproot my entire family and move across the country. My brother in law who is still in the forces and is only 35 years old has had to uproot 5 times already.
Shitty but that's the problem in a big country. I've worked with a lot of USAF and it's way worse....you're talking moving across the world every 2 years. If we let people stay in one spot we'd have some bases with nobody.
That's pretty typical for the military though.... going into the military you should absolutely expect that
@@Kickrocks508 I think most people do but it stops a lot of good people from joining. I don't know if it would ever work but you'd certainty get more people joining and better retention if they could.
Moving to where duty takes you is basic fare for active military members. That's the duty. Every military member in USA knows that if they are told to, they have to move.
That’s the reason i plan on joining as an aircraft mechanic… have the option to join the USAF also tho….
1:00 - Chapter 1 - Unprepared
5:10 - Chapter 2 - Financial problems
9:15 - Chapter 3 - Hardware issues
13:45 - Chapter 4 - The recruitment crisis
17:20 - Chapter 5 - _RIP title card_
20:00 - Chapter 6 - Rays of hope
We have a big problem in Canada with
the number of people still alive but
Lost to the drug problem.
These people are a lost generation and
will contribute to the recruitment
problem with our armed forces.
Bringing in compulsory service
might help fill the gap as a temporary
soulution but this is just a small part
of what is needed and the cost is
going to be quite high. We are going
to have to get rid of all Trudeaus cra,zy
Economics and bullshit carbon fantasy.
Developing good energy markets would
help pay for a new defence and pay our
full share to NATO.
Defunding Canada's defense industry actually started with the cancelation of the AVRO Arrow in the late 5O's
Didn't Simon do a video on the AVRO Arrow?
Probably...axed by Diefenbaker...Conservative Party...not that following Liberal governments have helped out much either...but there was a lot of other things at play that resulted in the cancellation of the Arrow...AVRO was a run away train concerning spending versus actual productivity (delivering a product that was ready for use)
Ex navy here: Not really. I joined in 1951. The budget BS began about 1954.
Unfortunately, we in the US are headed the same way as Canada at a breakneck pace. Most of our male population isn't even fit to serve right now due to out of control chronic health issues, obesity, diabetes, and overall lack of fitness. And don't even start on where we are with trying to pass psychiatric evaluations and officer candidates.
We're by no means at the bottom yet, but we will be if something doesn't change soon. Canada, my heart truly breaks for you over here stateside
Everybody is headed this way buddy, our potential enemies too.. Russians are chronically drunk and unfit while the Chinese have adopted the western way of living and after decades of having nothing they've decided that the fast food is great for you.. The result is an obesity epidemic similar to ours..
So I guess our fat guys with mental problems will be fighting their fat guys with mental issues...
Don't worry. Women are just as capable as men after all. Conscript women for equality! Cast aside the misogyny and give women equal rights 😂
From an active duty CAF member, thank you for drawing attention to this.
this subject has been in the wide open all the long just no ones willing to do anything about treaudeau sold us and is perpeously leading canada to its grave
@@lozingitlegitCanadian defence spending has always been shit after Korea. The only time we do anything is during wartime like afghanistan
Would you still suggest joining the caf in today’s situation and is there anything important I should know about infantry or how it’s changed maybe
As a Dutchman I have always considered Canada, desire the great physical distance between us, as great friends.
Here we have not forgotten the huge role you played in liberating us during world war 2. As such, we know you're a great nation with a great history of pulling through for your allies.
As your friend, I ask you politely to please show us your greatness again! Of course, my country is going through a similar process after neglectance as well
both Canada and the Netherlands, like all of the West, rely on piggybacking off of US military protection
Yeah, the Dutch have long had an intense dislike for Australians, so you may as well hug the next best thing.
My great grandfather and his brother helped liberate groningen , his brother came back with a bride from zwolle haha
It’s crazy to see how little most of you and other Europeans don’t invest in defense after being occupied during ww2
@@MrTakin00 The Dutch were rescued by American, Britain and Canada in Europe and Australia defeated the Japanese for the thankless task of giving them their colonies back. With such a bargain, why would the Dutch be bothered with defending themselves?
As an active service member this unfortunately this is only scratching the surface of the problems in Canada's military
I'll put a different spin on it. I retired in 2019 after 34 years in the RCN. What I saw there leads me to believe that there is lots of money already, but it is grossly mispent. $2B to NOT buy helicopters between 1985 and 2015 is just one example. $100k to put on a new door and convert some rifle racks (for 80 rifles) from the FN to the C7/C8 in 1998. A $80k upgrade (that's what the contractor got paid) that turned into a $430K bill after the graft and administration was tacked on. I have lots of examples, but my takeaway is that Military spending is about distribution of tax dollars, not actual military capability.
They spent the last four years chasing the best and the brightest out of the military.
Thank you for your service.
16 years Army Maint. On the land side, the amount of orphaned equipment and pork barreling. 5/4 ton trucks Iveco LSVW being made by Western Star ( Kim Campbell riding), Hlvw company going bankrupt after delivering last truck. Almost as bad as Irving shipbuilding??
I'm very glad you shared this as it has always been my belief that it's how the money is spent/wasted, because why would the military be any different.
@@laurendamos6651 The military doesn't actually do much contracting. Practically everything DND buys or contracts to is done by Procurement Canada. What is so frustrating for the Military is that people think it's the military making these very bad spending decisions, when the truth is the Armed Forces are beholden to another federal bureaucracy.
Canadian here, you hit the nail on the head when you said geography, any conflict or attack involving Canada will inherently involve the USA, and we take advantage of that. And its hard to blame us, it sucks, but anyone thinking of attacking Canada is more deterred by it's proximity to US than by NATO, we could leave NATO and still be almost certain our big brother would come to our aid.
free loaders
@@benroberts8363 Work smarter not harder
@@c4ndyman_79That doesnt absolve you of the requirement to work.
@@dixieslav1274 It doesnt, but it suuuure makes it easier
Here is why leaving the defence of Canada to the USA is wrong.
1. It is our Country. If we need to defend any part of Canada, Canadian troops should be there to defend the land area of Canada, otherwise how do we call it Canada.
2. Working smarter, not harder says that you will give up your right to choose if you leave your choice to the USA. I think this phrase when applied to military spending has so much socialist leftist proproganda attached to it. Every University and College in Canada is run by leftist/socialist ideology, and this message has been taught to all university students for years. To get a good job in the civil service you need university degree. So most of your upper middle management and senior management are influenced by socialist ideas. In this case it means to save money all you have to do is lay down and die and if someone invades, well hope nobody dies or gets a injury. The military has been the cutting grounds of fund in order for leftists to put more money into social programs.
3. Its a matter of pride. When push comes to shove, having a strong well equiped military means no one can push Canada around.
4. Canadians are vastly different from Americans, although many in the USA and Canada think we are the same. Foreign policy alone is vastly different.
5. Canada should never become a resource country, we should manufacture our own stuff here in Canada.
6. If you want to become an American immigrate to the USA. If you leave the defence of Canada to the USA, it means Canada effectively becomes a protectorate of the USA or the 51 state.
7. If seven guys eat lunch every week at a restaurant, and every week a different guy picks up the the full amount of the lunch tab, you are the guy that never pays or picks up the lunch tab ever. There is a name for people like this (free-loaders). Now imagine you are in NATO doing the same thing.
American veteran here. Honestly, if I were a Canadian politician, I'd probably deemphasize military spending too. Simply because under no circumstances would the U.S. allow Canadian security and borders to be compromised. The U.S. would defend Canada under every circumstance with the full might of the U.S. Military.
That said, Canada should become an Arctic power. Their investment should be Arctic, coast guard, energy security, and cyber. Cyber attack is the most likely attack domain to be targeted by a foreign power.
I'd gut the Canadian Army, I'd modernize the Navy, Air Force, and Cyber forces.
Thats the idea. Were focusing entirely on the arctic now.
Also we might be putting more money into our intelligence agencies.
Ever since China and India started violating our soverignty on a daily basis with assassinations and secret police stations.
^best comment ever^ Love our southern neighbours, but it would be nice to contribute to our own defence at least. :/
This is actually the first post I agree with. Another thing that nobody is talking about is that Canada was in Afghanistan for far too long. Getting the F-35 isn't enough, we need support craft and helos. Also we don't know if the F-35 is even the right aircraft. The most northern airforce base is cold lake, because it's the last reliable northern area that is easily accessible by highway. CFB Cold Lake is a long assed way away from the artic circle where the russians fly bombers.
During the 80's we were scrambling CF-18's to the arctic circle on a monthly basis. I'm not sure that they ever suffered an engine failure or not. Also the CF-18 has a longer range.
After 13 years in Afghanistan we simply can't deploy to function as a large scale peace keeping force anymore. The money was being spent on subsistence level support for the troops and equipment didn't see replacement.
I agree we need to spend more, but a conservative government wouldn't be the answer there. PP would just do what Harper did. Cut corporate taxes and slash spending in other places to minimize tax increases on the middle and lower incomes. Trudeau is past his best before date and doesn't pass the smell test but Poilievre would never bring Canada up to 2%. When I think of the better things that money can be spent on I don't want to see it up to 2%. Should the Ukraine fall spending can be increased, perhaps over 2%.
The best way to contain russia is to continue supporting the Ukraine.
Speialization might be the way to go, and e need to get serious about the arctic, but I'd argue against gutting the Army. We will always need boots oon the ground. The Brits tried to police their empire via RAF after WW1, and found it problematic. In the Arctic, we need a persistent defence and that requires control of territory that simply can't be done by sea/air assets. Also, it'd be really nice to see us get serious about air defence as we actually don't have any AD weapons, and use of drones as a force multiplier. The Ukraine War is showing us how the next one's going to be fought. High tech, AI, and drones.
@@claytonberg721 or, we stop pissing off russia. i just hope trump wins and we can end this insane bullshit
The thing everyone fails to realize is that, by the time you actually need your equipment , logistics a strong military, it’s already too late.. people think it’s pointless spending soo much on military logistics and supplies, for a war that may never come, but when it does come (it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when that happens) you are shit out of luck, because building a warship or hundreds of tanks, aircraft, small arms etc. take years to build ..
the output of military gear that the U.S. produced during ww2 will NEVER be matched
I am a Canadian, I live in Saskatchewan, I am not saying sorry. I am not going to live up to that stereo type. If Canadians are sorry about this, then we need to show it in the polls. Saying sorry is not going to fix anything, that's like saying you have my thoughts and prayers when something bad happens. It does not solve anything.
Thoughts and prayers will change the same amount as a change in government
And the polls speak very clearly. Canadians don't want to be part of the capitalist war machine. 🤷♀️
"Well, Mountie Bob he chased me, he was always at my throat.
He followed on the shoreline cause he didn't own a boat.
But cutbacks were a'coming and the Mountie lost his job.
So now he's sailing with us, and we call him Salty Bob!"
-The Last Saskatchewan Pirate
Unfortunately for Canadians fucking over the armed forces is a bipartisan activity. Remember it was under Harper when all of Canadas SHORAD was retired with no replacement selected.
Sorry
Thank you Simon. I am sending this to my member of parliament in Ottawa.
American here and some of the same problems in terms of recruitment are very similar here, and on top of that while I was enlisted the vast majority of good leadership that I interacted with were run into the ground. So good quality leadership would be forced while incompetent and terrible people would be promoted making everyones life below them significantly worse. Obviously this just creates an accelerating nightmare scenario where recruitment and retention is only going to grow worse at a higher rate.
We should also add that while Canada isn't keeping up with defense spending, they also are responsible for Justin Bieber and Nickelback. Offenses which, I believe, warrant a hard look at their NATO membership.
I once applied for a defense-adjacent job with the Canadian government. By the time they called me back asking for an interview, I was well over a year into my career at the company I still work for today. When you have to measure the gap between application and first interview in years, how do they expect to ever hire anybody?
I almost joined the Canadian forces a decade ago. I decided against it for 2 reasons.
The first was just how terribly they equip their personnel and how it wasn't looking to get any better (it would appear I was right at the time). Its an tragedy that the people we charge with our own protection aren't even properly equipped to do so. They deserve better.
The second was I entirely disagreed with where the country was moving and the conflicts we kept engaging in. I decided it wasn't worth being a statistic of a conflict our incompetent leaders would place us in simply for political whims.
The largest problem I see for the Canadian Military at this point isn't even the funding but how that funding is spent. It would seem much of the highest ranking staff are not there because of merit but simply a mix of their time in and being the last people around for the job.
I really like the idea of becoming more specialized. We have always excelled in specific areas of warfare. Post WW2 we had quite the aviation industry who were pioneering technologies and only 30 years after that it was basically just a husk. It would seem even we are not willing to put money into the things we are good at...
As for the last part, making Canada Nato's energy guarantor is a great idea in theory but that would require having none of the left leaning parties in power as they are all looking to basically end our oil and gas industry.
Or provinces at all. It's not left leaning that's any easy out. It's the make up of our Country, natural resources are not a federal jurisdiction but provincial and let's be honest with ourselves. The provinces can't work together to allow liquor to flow properly across our borders, do you really think they are going to work together to allow more "energy" infrastructure?
Here's a thought for you.... most canadians didnt support the conflicts our leaders were getting us into, and largely still dont.... the reason spending isn't prioritized is because canadians don't see it as necessary. We don't want to send our kids to die in some pointless war about oil and ideas, if someone comes to attack us, or if the nazis come back. Sure. Otherwise, we have people to feed and hospitals to build instead of spending it blowing up other parts of the world....
I thought about joining 10 years ago too when I turned 18 but my parents talked me out of it.
@@dallasgauthier3543 For the most part I agree with that. Many don't see it as a priority at all. Why would they when the US is below us. We have basically capitulated to the US with regards to our national security. But when "someone comes to attack us or the nazis come back"... are we meant to not be prepared? Hilariously we have constantly spent less on the military and endlessly spend money on healthcare and subsidize food production while getting what seems to be less of both. My personal perspective on things is there has to be something entirely corrupt at many if not all levels of both the military and government for them to provide such poor services and results while getting a near fixed increase in funding every year. I mean... I don't per-se want to drag this off the topic of the military but our roads, hospitals, schools, etc are all seemingly clamoring for more and more money and producing a worse and worse product while we are already providing them with more and more money. Something is off here. Money is moving hands but not ending up in the products we are expecting. This is my personal frustration with many of the levels of government in Canada. At this point is the total lack of transparency on where money is going and how it is actually effecting my current standing of living (or current desegregation of such) outside of them constantly needing to send more money to Ukraine and other over seas interests is immensity frustrating. We are sending support in the form of weapons and armament but can't even support our own soldiers. We aren't even at the war and we are already scraping the barrel. It's actually rather pathetic.
@@ryeguy7941 Hah. Both of mine were in the military... Both of them were rather hesitant about me joining. Watch some form of major conflict occur in the next couple years and we will be wide eyed about possibly in a conflict in our current state. Even worse... Wait for the conscription. hahaha
As a veteran, I can tell you one thing, our HQ in Ottawa doesn’t have a shortage of people. Our militatry as been investing too much on REMF… not enough on front line people!
Spoken like a true infanteer…
Buddy, there are shortages everywhere in the CAF. Our HQ is a lot top heavy, but to say we have too many support trades is just exposing your ignorance. You think the RCEME, Med Tech, or any other CSS trade is getting more money than combat arms? EVERYONE is hurting.
From a guy that has done both combat arms and "REMF" work, I can appreciate the requirement for logistics.
War is a team sport. Amateurs discuss tactics. Professionals discuss logistics. W/O "REMFs, the sharp end dies. My first lesson as an XO was understanding the critical importance of the purple trades to combat effectivness. No one likes the head shed from the front lines, but when you've worked in the staff system, you get to understand how absoutly critical everything they do is to the success or failure of a military force. Without a staff system, we might as well be Sam Hughes fighting a quxiotic and very crude struggle. War requires professionalism to ensure good people don't die needlessly. You cannot do that without a competent staff and command system. Systems win wars - not individual bravery.
Maybe I should have been more precise, but in no way I include support trades, or purple trades in the REMF… I meant all HQ and Op Center people. The ones that get the medals but creates 12 layers of command in order to make a decision.
Ok - I agree with that. I think we're too tight now to have many chateau genetals, but having done a trick in NDHQ, there are a few folks who've been away from the coal face for too long. That said, they need to reorient and refocus. But any rebuild of DND will most certainly require investment in all aspects, especially command and control.
The problem is that Canada’s productivity is so low we can’t afford robust military spending. NAFTA gutted our industrial capacity and now we just ship out raw materials for others to make into valuable goods. Any Canadian company that is successful is bought by an American rival and gutted. We also have to buy foreign hardware, providing little local benefit to the spending.
As a Canadian THANK YOU!!!! for bringing this up. It has been a sore spot for so many of us for so many years yet none of our governments seem to listen. Ever!!
Complacency kills. That being said the Canadians I served with were top notch. Great dudes.
Something else Canada could look at for specialization is arctic. Top half of your country borders one of the new geopolitical hot zones, so invest in your icebreakers, navy and cold weather forces.
Yep. Thats what our new white paper basically focuses on. Almost entirely arctic defence.
Canada operates 21 icebreakers, 19 owned by the Canadian Coast Guard and 2 are privately owned. The Polar Icebreaker will support Canada's Arctic missions, sovereignty, and presence. Canada's Icebreaker has a logistical endurance of 270 days in the Arctic. I agree Canada needs more considering Russia has more than 40.
Another Canadian Army Veteran here. Problem started way before this back when they united all three services into Bus driver uniformed CAF. Lost alot of veteran experience after 1968 unification. Kids are to smart these days anyway to put a uniform on. Look at what’s going on why get killed for whatever? Need our Saviour
This has also been a chronic historical issue with Canada since at least the early 70s. Our armed forces make a lot of disproportionate contributions to various NATO missions as well (back during the Libyan no-fly zone, Canadian CF-18s made up 10% of all air-operations etc.) but they're increasingly being underfunded while doing so because no government or political party is prepared to make a long term investment in fixing equipment, living/working conditions or doctrine etc. so the problem is allowed to get worse every decade.
NATO is now being destroyed by Russia. It is all over.
I am glad you're sounding the alarm in another way. My little brother is RCN, and it's scary and sad to hear the state of the military. When I was a teen [20 years ago!] I went to Halifax to spend the day in the civil engineering department for take your kid to work day. That's when we had first got the subs, remember the holey things from Britian? Those ones. We were hard off then, and it's even worse now. Newer ships that aren't as capable as the public are told, stuff in dry docks for years, aircraft that are.... well.... double my age! We have to do better for ourselves, our brothers and sisters that have devoted themselves to our safety, and for the rest of our allies. Our Arctic is so open it's not fit!!
In 1980, the Canadian corporate tax rate was 36%.
Today? 15%, one of the lowest in the OECD.
In fact, corporations only contribute 25% to overall taxes collected.
Over the same period of time, the feds cut building in social housing, and slowed spending in other areas.
So here we are.
Yet when the corporate income tax rate was at it's highest we had some of the lowest corporate income tax intake in history.....publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/fin/F2-248-1994-eng.pdf
Every country is responsible for its own defense. Canada has forgotten that. At a minimum, Canada needs to honor its military spending agreements.
It should be noted that the Canadian govt is finally getting serious about raising its defense budget to get to the 2% mark, but it will likely take a while. The Canadian govt has woefully underfunded the military for a long time and something both Liberals and Conservatives are guilty of.
Well it was terrible for both parties politically every time they tried, the public just didn't support it and haven't historically since the avro died.
It will also likely never happen. While defense spending has been an issue with any government, the Liberals are saying anything at this point. All the procurement promises have a major issue: we won't have members to use them.
As the saying goes, I'll believe it when I see it.
Well done Simon and team! Thank you for covering this.
A Canadian.
I was halfway through college and contacted the military here in Canada. Had good grades, but no money so figured I go join them. Never heard back, worked minimum wage for a year and went back to school. They missed out of an electrician 🤷♂️
Pretty sure they don’t care lol
How many times did you follow up with your recruiter?
As a Canadian who is well aware of our history in conflicts. I am sorry for where we are now and how far we have fallen.
A few things are wrong, the 2017 document is outdated for our national policy, Canada released a new one this year called ''Our North, Strong and Free''. Where it points out the north as being one of the new priority of the governement... Futhermore, Canada is investing a lot into building new ships to patrol the arctic and also invested into fixing up docks like in Lévis where the naval docks ''Davie'' is getting fixed up to build new ships..
Sadly, a close reading of the new document shows that while there are a lot of promises to study the issue and examine the various options on multiple points... there are very few actual tangible commitments to spend money and invest in the military.
As for the National Shipbuilding Strategy, it pre-dates the current government by about half a decade as it was started by the previous government.
Housing. Some postings across Canada are just too expensive for personnel to live in: unable to find affordable homes, and moving literally thousands and thousands of kilometres across the country every few years: it’s not sustainable for military families.
If Canada increasing the military pay, would that encourage more enlistment?
@@franceyneireland1633 they have been increasing pay for the last few years. But the cost of living in Canada is absolutely ridiculous that it can’t keep up. Some full time regular personnel have second jobs like delivering pizzas or Uber in order to provide for their families.
@@MA-ji1iz Nothing new about that. Some people just aren't good at living within their means.
Canada needs to fix its housing issues, it's cost of living issues, it's over taxing and tax on tax issues... we need to support our soldiers. A friend was posted from east coast to west coast and had to sell their car in order to pay rent... and still would be going in debt just to live. But recruiting.... our issue starts at the top. Served 23 yrs and my biggest observation is this in terms of recruiting. Canadian prime ministers, Canadian MP's...canadian government as a whole pays attention to the military once a year on Nov 11th. There is no public embrace of the military by the government. There is no public display of pride in the military by government, the military is a side show an after thought... they don't give a shit until the military is needed... then they throw money at it... but not long after... it slides back into the dark and gets ignored.... who wants to join a military that gets zero recognition or support from the powers who ask you to sign on the line and maybe to put your life on the line someday in the defence of canada. The government does exactly what he says.... pretends to protect tax dollars at the cost of timely procurement.... at a time where speed and accuracy are paramount for procurement. As time passes.... weapons and hardware improve... and time to prepare to defend shrinks...so speed of procurement more important now than ever in history.
There is also no recruitment advertisement. I haven't seen a forces Canada add in years.
Tbf in highschool we were told could enlist with the army and become reserves via SHSM or some similar program and even get paid for it, I know 2 guys that did it. This was only like 6 or 7 years ago btw.
I seen an article the military was accepting those with permanent resident status.
@@franceyneireland1633 lol good luck to them! doubt the punjab horde is interested
I'm an American who lived in Canada for two years. All i heard about was how much better they are at drinking alcohol and how much better their military is than ours. I'll concede the first point. We don't even come close to them. But the second point is laughable. Time to put up or shut up.
First thing to do would be to get rid of all that old "unserviceable" equipment. It might look good on paper, but it's costing money just storing and pretending to maintain it. If there's anything usable left in it, give it to Ukraine.
As a heads up, the destroyer at 4:35 is HMCS Fraiser, a ship decommissioned in the 90s.
Otherwise this video hit the nail on the head several times. The Forces are in a sad state, ships can't sail, planes have no pilots, and the army has no equipment. Our personnel are the best in the world but we simply now lack the equipment to do our jobs.
meh they are just using stock photos.
If you mean the DD dressed overall, It's not even Canadian - a USN Arliegh Burke.
I got denied from joining the Canadian Armed Forces because I take a pill every single day ....
bummer of a reason.
What Canadian doesn't? We are all on anti depression pills just to be able to live here.
Got denied by the British Army 20 years ago for the same reason. My still having two legs thanks them now.
@@thatfatman6978 If I lived in Canada, I would definitely have SAD and need to take meds. I moved closer to the Equator just to get away from it.
This is the reason I do not allow myself to be a hawk. I am an American, and both of my children are taking those self-same pills, & therefore, unfit to deserve. So I can't cheerlead us into anything because it won't be my kids at risk.
I thought taking a pill every day was the MAIN FOCUS 🧘♀️ F YOUR GOVERNMENT, be it puberty blockers or recently legalised drugs that destroy you.
As a Canadian, I agree, our defence spending is a joke. As a country with the 9th largest GDP in the world no one can tell me that Canada can't afford 2% of our GDP on defence. 2% of our GDP on defence would be $58.8 billion. Canada can definitely afford that.
Why are they cutting their defense spending in the first place? Such a bad moment to do so🤦🏻♀️
Trudy thats why
cause our economy is in free fall, doesn't help that it is being grifted by the government.
Pretty weird, eh? "We're committed to increasing military spending to 1.78% in our budget announcement. But on the other hand we're cutting a billion from their budget this year."
Because money going to defence can’t be used to bribe people - I mean “give massive tax rebates” - to keep Trudy in power.
Cause our leader and the leading party is a joke. Can't wait for election!
It is a sad state of affairs yes.
But I would like to defend the Arctic spending a little bit. It isn’t as simple as saying “go defend it” the landmass alone is bigger than almost all of europe, with literally no infrastructure. Its not like there are navel dockyards dotting all those islands where ships can resupply and repair. There is no paved roads that lead to them and no people to even work at them, so it is not logistically easy to just “defend” the arctic. The fleet would always have to return to our traditional ports, all of which are the west coast, east coast or Gulf of St Lawrence.
I do agree, our navy should be our biggest arm of the military, surrounded by water on three sides and a Ally on the other side, there is no reason not too.
Norad os the other big investment, no one will invade us very easily, but they can launch missles and what not. Investing in defending our entire NA airspace just makes sense. Iron dome Canada and the US and Mexico and we are laughing.
Great points! But I think what the video is saying is that Ottowa is exposed BECAUSE there is no infrastructure in the north. If Ottowa started these projects today, it would take decades to catch up with other arctic countries. And that's the core of the problem.
The issue isn't yesterday or today, these issues affect Canada's future. And that's the terrifying part. Russia is increasingly becoming hostile, and they are already building arctic infrastructure while spending 75-80 billion on defense compared to Canada's 30 billion. I'm genuinely frightened for our friends that are the best neighbors a country could ask for.
For the energy comments, Canada would need to remove section 35 of the constitution, remove the Indian Act, remove UNDRIP/DRIPA, and bring Canada together for national and pepvincial projects. Right now, it's way too divided, and the above points have made large-scale projects almost impossible or uninvestable when you apply actual financials to the project and the "asks" under these current multilayered polices.
Until this is fixed up, you will most likely see projects continued to he stalled out or started and canceled, as it keeps happening.
You mean reopening the constitution...
I have heard it's easier to trade between countries than between provinces in Canada.
You forgot Quebec, that needs to go too.
@guderian7795 what about the English speakers in Québec? Offer them cash and welcome to ROC? Or write them off?
@Adam-ln4og Yes, it needs to be reopened, updated, and full freedoms and rights of Canadians needs to be included. It is easier to trade with other countries than between provinces! Which is insane and needs to he addressed as well. Canada needs an overhaul for Canadians and all that live on the lands we call Canada! 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦
@guderian7795 I think it would be a "step in" or "step out" option. If they don't step into being equal on all levels with Canada and English as the national language, then they leave, and we wish them all the best, lol.
I live in Victoria, which is home of the Canadian pacific fleet. Currently available housing is below 1% and the average cost of a 1bdrm is $2200/month. Looking at some figures a navy serviceman can expect to earn $32k in their first year... Canada and by extension its forces have many problems but imagine fighting for your country and then said country is to invested in elitism and the staus qou that you cant afford to live in that country...
Canada relies on the US for defense far too much. I mean we are glad to help our neighbors but we would like to be able to know that our neighbors can also get our back if shtf.
.... that would imply that someone has actually tried to attack us🤣 we don't really have many enemies. You don't see people screaming "death to canada" or burning the Canadian flag....
@dallasgauthier3543 if Russia or China come knocking because of resources in the North, your entire premise is invalid.
@@dallasgauthier3543 If someone wants to attack the us. They will never do a direct beach assault on the us. Only hope would be a ground invasion. If only The U.S had two weak bordering nations... I'm not saying that passing through the frozen Canadian wilderness and mountains is easy. But it is easier than trying to punch a hole in U.S costal defense because with how heavily defended it is, the us air force, the navy, intelligence, all the military bases and the army. It would be suicide literal suicide.
My point with this is that same geographical protection (of being close to the us) Canada took advantage of as an excuse to neglect it's own defense. Also comes with a disadvantage. You're the target/underbelly just by proxy. This wouldn't be as big of a issue if Canada's military was at least proportional for its population and wealth.
Would love to see more videos like this about other (western) counties. Just to see how under prepared we are.
Also, China being like “we’re a near arctic power!” Has the same ring as “this has always been Chinese territory” like how they are in the South China Sea.
It sucks to hear this about Canada. The UK is going through similar issues and the government of both countries not funding is a huge blame. It sucks as Canada were a huge ally for WW1 and WW2 for Britain
One of the best descriptions I have heard of Britain and the Commonwealth is that they have never left the "Post-War" mindset and thus view military spending as effectively obsolete.
I wonder if having socialists running both countries for decades has anything to do with it?
@@UlsterHound77we don’t have a way to fund the military spending anymore. In WW2 and before, we had the empire, but now? No chance.
@@christopherharmon2433 The UK has had Labor governments only twice since the 1960s, the rest have been conservative.
In Canada, Trudeau has been the only Liberal leader to get two terms since his dad, in the 80s.
Conservative Governments have ruled for longer, and the fact of the matter is, "Socialism" has never been implemented in either of these countries.
Blame Thatcher and Mulroney.
@@Dexter037S4 IIRC Trudeau the elder was a full blown socialist, and was the PM from 1969 to 1981.
As an American, I am tired of picking up the tab. Everyone makes fun of our huge defense budget...I wonder why....
There's a lot of Canadians on the political left that constantly slander America. Even though America pretty much is the de facto defender of Canada's sovereignty. It shames me that so many of my fellow Canadians are so naive about the military and American support.
It’s the same in Europe. Everyone saying “The USA Spends too much on Defense.” But when the threat Looms Large. These Socialists Utopian New Age Hippies scream. “Where’s the USA?” Am a bit sick on the show myself
Very unfortunate. Having served myself in the US Army, I will say that I have served with a number of allied units across the world. I was always impressed by the Canadian's, extremely capable soldiers as we would say. Very high level of discipline and a bunch of really good guys too. Shame to see my neighbor to the north not doing so well militarily and politically as of late. Much love from your brothers to the south. Wish the best for you guys.
I remember sitting in a masters level vibrations class reading a really really cool paper from a canadian engineering research team finding a way to cut down their huey's vibrations on the pilots to reduce pilot fatigue. The total estimated cost, IIRC, to implement was in the single digit millions for the entire fleet of related aircraft. Development would probably lead to foreign sales as well for the retrofit kits.
Did they do it? You know the answer.
Thats the hurtfully true part of our country.
Were so ridiculously over-educated in EVERYTHING, but our communist ass government makes the resources to implement these changes borderline impossible.
Rather blwo that money on stupid shit like $3.5 billion on fighting climate change in the Philippines.
As a Canadian of military age, I was wondering what my fellow Canadians would think of mandatory service for young men similar to South Korea or Singapore? I brought this up in my Foreign Defence Policy class and got pretty positive feedback, but of course I was talking to a military-minded group from the beginning with a third of us already enlisted. I know that, once again, I am asking a group of military-minded people who have clicked on this video, but I’d like to hear what you have to say. I think it is basically an impossibility that nationwide mandatory service would become a reality, especially with Quebec and its history of past conscription crisises, but perhaps individual provinces might implement a lenient version of mandatory service like Ontario and Alberta. From my time in Korea and Singapore, I can say that mandatory service has other positive effects on society such as greater community and fitness, two things that I think Canada could improve on because of our small population spread over a large area and societal influence from the south respectively. As the most educated country in the world, I think the military is an unattractive career choice for us. Most people I know regard the military as a fall back for the unemployed. But Korea is set to surpass our level of education in the next generation and they have mandatory service, indicating that mandatory service and education are not mutually exclusive options. In fact, the brevity of mandatory service probably promotes education as the military is seen less as a career option and more of a “coming of age” practice with only those who really excel taking a more permanent position in the military. But education is just one aspect of the picture. Also, mandatory service could make the Militia Myth a reality. A return to our (at least commonly believed, if not real) roots as a military nation of natural soldiers.
Not as long as genius is running the country. I would have defended it during Harper’s time. Maybe even during Jean cretrians days.
It may be argued, in one example, too much CAF time, money, etc. has been used for tackling domestic issues. A home guard consisting of mandatory service personnel could free regular and contract reserve members for better training-deployment-rest cycles. Of course, if we had a boatload of mandatory service members we'd need basic kit and basic training regime resources.
@@thedeejlam I actually like this idea, though the Militia was what this was supposed to be, back in the day. But then they cut Milita's out, cut numbers, etc.
Canadian here. Don't think I'd agree. If we were actively involved in a major war, then maybe we could discuss it, but otherwise this idea is dead before it hits the ground. I'm not a big fan of conscription in general and any government that tried it would be ousted like that. Covid lockdowns were regarded as authoritarian by many, can you imagine the response to compulsory military service?
You bring up some of the benefits you've seen in Korea, but I'd point out Korea has their own set of issues. Extremely low birth-rates, a wealth gap arguably even worse than Canada. I'm not saying military service is the direct cause of this, but it's worth exploring. Korea also has an actively aggressive nation directly above them, so their conscription policy is more justified imo.
There's also Singapore, which I don't know as much about, but I imagine their social climate is much different than ours. Harsh penalties for drug dealers or things like littering. Under such social conditions perhaps military service is more acceptable, but Canada obviously doesn't have those same social norms in place
I think it would be more effective to spend money on specialized forces rather than a bunch of people who aren't even interested in defending their own country.
The state of our Canadian military is a NATIONAL SHAME. Government priorities for 25 years are ridiculous
In today’s new turbulent geopolitical times, shouldn’t a country the SIZE of CANADA have a regular armed forces of say about 250,000?
They are far from the only ones
Edit: I knew we would be mentioned... Also, that picture of Belgium was taken 2 streets away from where I'm writing this.
I thought I could see you looking out that window in the background
Another Canadian here. We have three oceans, are neighbours with Russia via the Arctic, and close to Taiwan via the Pacific. We need to get our defense budget up to AT LEAST the 2% NATO commitment. We should be focusing that money on our Navy and Airforce (with Gripens, not F-35) to protect the Arctic and on the only thing we currently do well, our Special Forces.
F-35 was the only real choice for Canada. Between the types of missions the RCAF does, the supply line issues, and the question of if the Gripen can even integrate with NATO systems yet (they have only made claims so far but not backed them up yet), and finally the F-35 was actually the cheapest per airframe. Both the Super Hornet and the Gripen had a higher cost per airframe during the competition.
@avroarchitect1793 You could very well be right, particularly about the costs per unit, I don't know much about that. But as for the supply lines, I would like to see Canada move away from taking on missions in far-off lands and focus mostly on defending the Arctic. For that, I think the Gripens' ability to be maintained by small 6 man ground crews and to take off and land from short rough roadways would be very useful.
@@jasonolson1593 F-15EX would be the perfect aircraft as well as our new A330 MRTTs we're getting, missile truck and defend with tankers 24/7.
@@Dexter037S4 I am a fan of the F-15 and the EX will certainly have some exciting capabilities. Cost-wise though, I still think Gripen is the way to go.
@jasonolson1593 I think one of our main issues with fighter procurement is that the length of service time really hampers our options; If we only replace them every 50 years, we almost need to get what is the most cutting edge.
Also, I think we can definitely do more than just SF. The CAF is tiny, less than 1% of Canada's population. Our combat arms is already very small, and yet we barely have modern equipment and training resources. This doesn't make a lot of sense given how resource and talent rich we are as a nation.
16 New Type 26 “Super frigate”, P8 Poseidon’s, Predators Northern drones, new LAVS, new Surface To air Defencses, Northen Ship Nval deterance, long range missle, 88 F-35’s, New Submarines, possible Tank replacement.
This doesn’t compare to the new budget spending $100,000,000’s on pay and infrastructure for Military Housing. We need volunteers.
21 yr Canadian Army Veteran(NCO) retired
The housing situation in Canada is absurd for everybody. People do not join the military for the pay, obviously, but the prospect of being homeless is going to steer younger people to seek lucrative careers instead of self-sacrificing ones. They have trouble recruiting cops, firefighters, even supposedly high dollar medical jobs. So what chance does the military have when nobody can afford anything anymore?
You'd think they would recognize that and at least build enough base housing so that it removes CAF personnel and their families from the pressures of the civilian housing market entirely.
@@wyldhowl2821 Well said, that was a great explanation that I totally agree with.
I have to say, in my area there is a base, they started building a load more Q’s on Crown land. It’s a start, not a fix. You can’t and shouldn’t, force people to serve. 🇨🇦
I served in the CAF, my father served, my spouse is serving, her brother served and her father as well. We are very pro military. That said, the entire population of the CAF does not make up even 1% of the Canadian population. Not all, but a lot of Canadians are against having a military. This is why no political party has ever done right by the CAF and they never will. There's very little political incentive to pump dollars into the military when a sizeable amount of Canadians are experiencing a housing crisis and food insecurity. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if they'd shutter the entire DoD and declare us a pacifist nation within the next century. It's probably what they've all been wanting to do for the past 25 years but no political party wants to go down in history as being the one that killed off the CAF. I truly hope I'm wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me if it comes to that.
klaus shwab and the WEF call the shots.. not our politicians.
As a Canadian, it's not just the military it's also healthcare, education, and especially infrastructure as well. The country is pretty much falling apart. So it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that our military is falling apart too.
It's been 'falling apart' for decades...
Canada's procurement system is a complete joke. It needs to go. Canada's military should be given a proper budget - I'd suggest 4.5% of GDP to get things to where they need to be and then maintain that with a 2% of GDP budget. Of course, when you have a wimp in charge who thinks everything can be solved with a finger wagging or a hug, he's not going to give more money for bang-bangs and pew-pews.
In what world do you think the canadian government would be able to pay 2% let alone 4.5% of GDP on military with how poorly our current economy is doing? There would be mass riots in the streets lol.
Just to correct something: In the federal budget, spending on national defense went up from 26,9B$ in 2022-2023 to 29,9B$ in 2023-2024, 33,8B$ in 2024-2025 and 44,2 B$ in 2025-2026. Please make sure you get your sources right!
Veteran here - That is just about the best presentation that I've heard on this subject yet.