Unfortunately Blair's track record speaks for itself. After all is said and done, much will have been said, nothing will have been done. That man couldn't find his ass with both hands.
I retired last year after 35 years in uniform and another 7, split service, working for IMP Aerospace. The military has been broken for decades and there are essentially two specific reasons why. The procurement process and a lack of spending coupled with politicians sticking there noses into places they don't belong. Two major examples were the Sea King replacement program and the CF-18 replacement program. I could write a book on why it took so long for those occur. In a word though politicians. Also hey Scott. Good to see you on RUclips brother. 👍 2 VP.
I was in the Forces just a few years after unification. That was a morale disaster and experienced service personnel left in droves severing the continuity of the old hands training up the young. It's as if the CAF never quite caught up after that. The government of the day was anti-military. Paul Hellyer wanted to wind down the Navy completely and Pierre Elliot Trudeau was a misguided pacifist who stood down Canada's NATO forces at the most dangerous height of the Cold War. You inherited a deeply damaged CAF 35 years ago.
Next one to come up will be the CSC procurement. It'll be over 100 billion dollars for 15 ships. Anyone who's been watching the news over the past 2 years knows very well that capital ships are nothing more than expensive targets that can be destroyed by a cheap drone, both at sea (Moskva) or in port (pick your vessel, including a new, modern diesel submarine). We should recognize publicly that Building the CSC fleet is no different than building Battleships in 1954. The whole world has moved on to carriers and we're still building ships for TWO wars ago, not even the last war. It's insane that we are doing this. This war is the perfect opportunity to turn off that program and redirect the funds to something more useful and less risky. "Hey Canada, the situations changed. It no longer makes sense to build these expensive ships, we plan to cut back the program and use that money for XYZ project instead." They don't even have to "take the fall" for it. There's a clear as day reason to cancel it that if even a half assed explanation were given the public would see the sense in it. But our politicians haven't the wherewithal to recognize this, nor the intelligence to do it. Everyone knows that if we pay our troops more, we'll have more troops. If we assume an average salary of about $70k and that we're short even 10k people, that's $700M in salary that's not being spent. Use it to bolster our soldier's salary a little and we'll attract more people. Once we've added to the number of soldiers, we can bump the pay envelope to keep paying these people. But what do I know? I'm not a general or anything.
@@DanielWillis-q2g "Anyone who's been watching the news over the past 2 years knows very well that capital ships are nothing more than expensive targets " You know that, do you? BTW, Frigates are only "capital ships " to gamer geeks. Name me one modern Frigate"taken out".
This failed generarion isnt helping at all either. People with incredibly soft hands and feelings are terrified of military, law enforcement, corrections. Any occupation that has some risk is a hard nope from them. So many man children out there still letting their parents do everything for them its pathetic
@@alphaisdank42069 The fact you would voluntarily serve your enemy means its lost. That being said im glad you are going, idiots will be easy to defeat.
The fact that Canadian forces personnel are paid from taxes, then give the gov't some money back is insane. Remove federal income taxes, order (and fund) the mass construction/refurbishment of base housing, and you'll see things improve. Culture war BS needs to be put aside.
The Canadian Armed Forces is as it has always been, ignored, under funded, unappreciated, and asked to perform miracles with third world cast-offs. The men and women of the forces bravely and fearlessly commit themselves every day around the world. God bless them now and always.
@@IamAzuri I think it’s exaggerated, but the CAF has a lot of outdated gear tbh. But, that’s what makes them all the better, if they can do well with outdated gear, imagine what they could do with newer upgraded gear.
Less talk, more action. This 'minister' has mishandled every portfolio he's been in charge of. No reason to think he or his government will do any better on this file. Sweden just joined NATO & one of the 1st things their PM assured was that they would be meeting the 2% GDP spending target on their military. Meanwhile the CAF (no disrespect to serving members) are having to opt out of joint operations due to lack of personnel & equipment. There's no quick fix, the Feds have no money for the military, they're kind of busy racking up our National debt on other 'things'....
If Canada met its two percent of GDP in military spending we could have some (not much) hope. At this point, a 6-8% percent every year for the next 10 years MIGHT help, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
I am not here to defend the Government, but the Canadian Media and Canadian Industry also have a big part to play in this ‘death spiral’. Mr. Taylor, your presentations are a small beacon of hope in a very large sea of darkness. It has been evident throughout the decades that the media is not a friend of the military, especially when it comes to Defence Spending. If the media were to truly investigate and truthfully report the condition of the military, this speech by Blair would be considered weak and ineffectual. No actual picture of the CAF’s bloated, reactive and sloth-like acquisition process has ever been presented. Everyone complains about the cost of acquisition, but neither the media nor the general public hold the politicians accountable for their stupid, wasteful decisions. In addition, administrative burdens (e.g., DEI) create a less than ideal environment. Don’t expect the senior military to complain - their jobs and pensions are on the line. Industry, for the most part, sees Canadian defence contracts as a cash cow - a few examples. Generally, I think that you would find that every military contract has to have at least 100% Canadian content or offset. Not a problem, but I think that you will find that there are never any penalty clauses, for poor production, cost overruns or for late delivery. I suggest that if a problem is discovered after the fact, regardless of the cause, the Canadian Taxpayer would have to pay, even if the Contractor created the problem. I have no doubt that there may be exceptions, but I put forward that they are few and far between. I wonder if all documentation still has to be in both official languages (at a significant cost), even though in most operational conditions, it is not practical. Furthermore, the government should promulgate a requirement of a minimum of a two-year service gap for any member of the CAF before they can be hired by Canadian Contractors. This would help to reduce the rate of departure of the brightest and most useful personnel from the ranks.
@@mdarks4117 Totally agree. As another example, the new ships that the RCN is to acquire will probably be obsolete by the time the last one is built and 'operationally ready' -- assuming that the government doesn't incorporate delays due to funding problems.
@edp8592 'A two year service gap between when a CAF member releases and when they can work for contractors'. Are you seriously suggesting the Government enact a 2 year pseudo non-compete clause? Is that what I am to understand?
As i ex caf infantry ill say this .nobody wants to fight for a country that cares more about gay rights than our veterans . it was brutal i know but had to be said .
It had to get this bad for them to stop trying to sugarcoat it? After 8 years, I doubt that defence policy update is coming anytime "soon." The decade of darkness turned into decades.
@@lilik4 The CAF has always been diverse, but when hiring and promotions are based on some BS number on a DEI list, then you lose respect. Hiring and promotions in the CF should be based solely on merit, not some BS DEI list.
@@lilik4 I personally WITNESSED an officer of "diversity" have multiple live NDs on a live range and somehow it was brushed off as no major issue....... This garbage has gone too far!
Sweden just joined nato. Smaller country and their military makes ours look like a security company. That purchase of those 4 British lemon subs was a disaster and embarrassment. Now our standards are lowered and the bags of shit they are hiring are downright pathetic
Took my grandson over two years to get into a combat arms trade that's a joke. no wonder people move away from this easer to get a better paying job on the outside.
I hear that, I'm on month 15 of waiting for an enrolement and BMQ date to be a Artillery Gunner. Got my offer and accepted it 12 months ago now, haven't heard a thing since and recruiters can't give me a straight answer as to why the long delay
@@marcchartrand36 I bet when you signed up it was less than 2-3 months before you were off to basic and at a time when the CAF was a solid career choice to make. Now with retention, recruitment, and culture problems, your grandson and I will be lucky to make it 5 years, let alone 20+
My years of military service 1967-96. x2 Infantry Reserve units. x1 Regular Armoured Unit. + A regular specialized classification. The fate & circumstances of the Canadian military is a constant topic of coffee conversations with my retired colleagues. Canada’s 2 traditional governing parties have failed our military repeatedly since the end of WW2. It is a moot point as to which was worse. Neither have fixed the broken procurement process. Both took turns reducing the size of our military. Both cut budgets. Both delayed critical operational equipment replacements. Both failed Canadian military veterans. Both failed to explain to the Canadian voter why keeping an up to strength military is critical to Canada’s presence on the world stage. Both failed to connect the dots of international trade & international alliances for the Canadian public. EU trade & NATO. NORAD & trade with America. It will take a long time to rebuild our military. Both traditional governing parties will take turns forming government over the necessary rebuilding. I hope our allies call Canada out & insist that Canada restores our military.
As one Australian commentator often reminds Australians, don't listen to what politicians say - watch what they do. Canada is in the same position as Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. All of whose governments are guilty of serial failure to adequately equip, fund and man their respective armed forces for the last 20 years and more. If voters in those nations are concerned about that, they certainly show no sign of it. Which only encourages politicians to continue their very lackadaisical approach to national defence.
By the new standard of vehicles being able to now do all 3 requirements of shoot move and communicate I promise you the number of functional vehicles is less then reported. It’s ridiculous to expect troops to accept unlimited liability when they’re poorly equipped, poorly funded and new recruits are poorer trained. You wonder why everyone is leaving.
Canadian army holds from falling apart by plastic straps and duct tape 😂😂 . This was same in Germany ruled by Putin,s best friend Merkel and now whole Europe is in danger
Do you want an army loyal to you or a foreign government? Not that it would ever likely get to that point, but that could be a serious problem politically... but I guess on the other hand, it's basically at that point anyway, so why not just cut the USA a cheque and go shopping... I just don't like the idea of giving up our sovereignty.
@@craigquann yeah ive thought about the sovereignty situation a lot and considering both we & the US are multicultural/multiracial federations we both are vulnerable to security risks/hybrid warfare attacks by the competing enthic groups either with or without foreign aid. Besides, idk if you noticed America reaps all the benefits of its sovereignty while Canada sells itself out to the world for favour. Libs, Cons, I've seen them both do it. Maybe it's time for the 5 eyes to become 4.
I think there has been too much negative focus on allowing non-citizens to enroll. This is not new. Until the 90s we allowed permanent residents to enroll (at least in the PRes) on the understanding that they would become citizens within a certain time. When it was taken away as an option, this made recruiting for the PRes (which was already a challenge) even more difficult. When you hear 'non-citizen' you make certain assumptions. Here's an example to help clarify. In my last unit, a recent immigrant tried to join. He had been a Maj in our affiliated the regiment from the UK. He had been a company commander at Sandhurst and was the recipient of the Military Cross. He was told he'd have to wait 3 years minimum until he became a citizen. Somewhere in those 3 years, he lost interest in serving in the CAF and imparting his knowledge to young Canadian soldiers. A few years earlier, another former Brit soldier tried to enroll. He was a former SSgt from the R Engineers who was keen on becoming an infantry officer. He had several deployments under his belt and had put himself through law school. He lost interest while waiting as well.
We’ve always had a poor budget, it’s not why people leave, they aren’t leaving because “we’ve been doing the same thing for decades and it’s not working” they leave because the government is creating a hostile workplace full of new recruits with no discipline and all the entitlement. People love recognition and hate hard work don’t mix well with silent professionals. Stop forcing us to adapt to the artificial and hostile environment you’re creating for the sake DEI. We’ve always looked out for each other so long as we are all green.
I'm in the CAF for 15 years as a Combat Engineer, still serving, and with all the culture change in the CAF ( woke ). I've seen so many people releasing because the way the CAF go. People want to be a warrior, they want to do cool shit.
If our leaders hire foreign nationals (how’d that work out for the Romans?) and the government then asks those same foreigners to turn their weapons against Canadian nationals, then we’ve got a serious problem.
Do you remember when the government produced a white paper outlining what it expects the military to do and explain how they were going to provide the the tools to do that job? Well it has been decades since Canada had a white paper that I am aware. The government has spent decades teaching French and championing women. In the last decade the military has pushed inclusiveness as long as you are not a white male and writing and rewriting job descriptions and processes. Until Canada has a defense policy and provides the funds to meet that policy, it will continue to discriminate against white males, strive for French exclusivity, teach inclusiveness and not be very wartime ready.
Actually Charles the last "white" or "defense" policy paper was released in 2017. Its called the Strong Secure Engage (SSE). It was actually drafted by the conservatives with a very ambitious agenda to modernize us. But failed with the Liberals to meet the paper's resource allocation to make it work. You can easily find it doing a google search mate. I am leaning towards agreeing with your other insertions on the CPCC aggressive agenda on "doing everything we can to address the problem that we have too many white males in the military".. yeah the DEI social engineering project went sideways and no-one will take responsibility at NDHQ for that fiasco.
French exclusivity? I don't think so. We all know the CF's language program is a joke. People get just enough French to get a profile and forget any French they have learned. (Colonel and above is a different story). Is it a terrible idea to at least pretend that people in leadership position be able to communicate with 30% of the troops that do speak French? Past basic trades training, we're still at the level of "french assist" in most training.
Some thoughts to share… 1. This is not a former government problem, it’s been 8 years with the current party. It’s grossly unrealistic to assign blame to the Conservatives after this length of time. Own your shit Liberals, passing blame does nobody any good, get on with solving the problem; 2. Revamp our broken procurement process to make it more agile, and current with not only the present demand but that of the future too; 3. Hire civilians to take up more administrative and logistic roles (actual workers, not more leaders). Contracted ones like CBO in Meaford, On. This is to afford flexibility in support trades to fulfill deployment requirements. This in turn would allow for the further professionalization of roles, and assure workplace continuity rather than restarting “new training” every-time someone is posted; 4. Embrace a digital culture in order to maximize productivity of our uniformed people, remove antiquated processes and embrace new and novel work concepts; 5. Hire out recruiting administration processes to civilian employees, again, system familiarity and continuity.Better yet, hire veterans specifically for this role. And, re-examine how and when the CFAT is administered; 6. Last, and most important, messaging, not the Defence Team and the institutional narrative. Demonstrate to Canadians why the CAF, and all its elements are important. It makes no difference who you show, it’s what you show! Professionals of all stripes providing service to Canada.
It’s governments going back to at least the 50’s that has been the problem. The current one had the opportunity many times over to fix this and they’ve squandered it. Now, we’re behind the eight ball. Had they done something (I know, couda, shouda, wouda..) we’d be further ahead no doubt. Look at the squawking over the P8 purchase and all of the chirping out of Bombardier and QC?? I call a spade a spade.. Unfortunately, we may need ‘outside’ help from our allies to consult with on how to fix this in a hurry. No longer a Made in 🇨🇦 nor Canadian solution is gonna work here. Embarrassing, but what needs to be done, needs to be done ✈️
Sorry Scott, But you need to update your dictionary because Canadian lawyers have changed the definition of “soon.” Back in 2014, some lawyers (Superior Court of British Columbia) promised me “The parties have reached an agreement and you will be paid soon.” Hah! They withheld payment for 10 months while I struggled to recover from surgery, financial collapse and an emotional break-down. Lawyers dominate the House of Commons and they like to promise defence purchases “soon” as a polite way of delaying purchases or postponing purchases or eventually cancelling purchases. M/Cpl Rob Warner, CD, BA, etc.
Scott.. Thank you for informing me. Scott as an American saw after Viet Nam ( Fully paid holiday in the tropics by Uncle Sam ) a real drop off w/ the military. When Regan was elected the situation changed. Today, am aware of massive R&D into several platforms, and tactics to address our mutual friends in China. Yes! Canadians must address their military. As an American, I would view a member of CAF as a brother or sister! Can a way forward be joint CanAm integrated units? The units will train, communicate, and operate as one. ? Or is this pie in the sky??? We BOTH need to think out if the box!
Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance Trudeau and Trump had a strained personal relationship. Trump once said Trudeau was “two-faced,” describing the prime minister as “very dishonest and weak.” Justin Trudeau acknowledged that Canada’s military is woefully short on supplies, but blamed the situation on our contributions to Ukraine. "Why are we still fighting certain veterans groups in court? Because they're asking for more than we are able to give right now," Justin 🇨🇦 Trump called him out 2 % half of the military's equipment is considered "unavailable and unserviceable" - says a recent internal Department of National Defence (DND) “All things being equal, the simplest solution tends to be best one” I’m 100% to vote ☑️ Poilievre!!
Remove the archaic idea that officers have to be university grads! I wanted to go back to the Forces 20 years or so after my time in the Army, interested in flight school; after time overseas as a civilian medic, I wanted to be part of delivering and supplying humanitarian aid as my ancestors and colleagues in blue helmets did (yeah, I'm old enough to have served with Canadian casques bleu) . They asked me, "do you have a university degree?" "In what?" I replied. "In anything." said the recruiter. Wow. So I can't possibly be a viable candidate because I don't have a degree... but if I had gotten a degree in English Lit, that makes me an officer and therefore eligible for CAF flight school?? Sorry my life experience, trade school and previous service isn't valuable!
The requirement for a degree was introduced in the wake of the Somalia affair. Many big mouth wags with opinions kept saying things like, "how can you call yourselves a profession when officers don't even have to have degrees". I had a friend in recruiting at the time and he said immediately following the requirement there was a 30% drop in applicants for pilots and combat arms officers. A degree is not a guarantee of quality. Field Marshal Montgomery didn't have a degree. Winston Churchill didn't. Neither did Pres. Harry Truman. You know who did have degrees? Heinrich Himmler. Joseph Goebbels had a PhD. Josef Mengele (of Auschwitz) was an MD.
@@s66458--- Good question. One I have struggled somewhat to explain over the decades. We are not the UK of Waterloo when soldiers were from a lower class, usually unable to read, and officers were rich men who purchased their commissions. Most volunteers for the CAF, both officers and NCMs, come from the same middle class. I have seen (more common in the reserves) NCOs with degrees and post grad degrees who refuse to be officers. It is a question of committing to a slightly different set of responsibilities. It's a different job - like being army or navy is similar but different. I've often felt, that there is merit to a system of everyone starting off as a pte and that officer commissioning be part of career progression where a decision is made at some point which stream to select: management suit or a more hands-on foreman.
@@lib556But for me there is management at NCM level. I mean, for most trades, above MCpl, all are managers to some extend. NCOs, especially senior levels are middle management. Officers, start middle and can end up upper... So it is not just about management and non-management. They would be better off having a tech track and a management track, both with good, decent pay and get rid of the officer/NCM system. That is one way to go.
Have you seen the shortfalls and retention rates in the US military? Wtf are you talking about? A big part of the problem is that we no longer have a defense industry here in Canada. We send all our taxes to the American defense industry and pay ridiculous amounts of money for their kit. Do you have any idea of the scale and quality of the military kit Sweden has? And they are a lot smaller than we are. Wtf would we need the US to “defend “ us and from who? The last time we were attacked was from the USA. How is it that so many other countries in the world aren’t allied with a major power but somehow don’t get attacked? Get Canada out of NATO and NORAD and make sure that 80% of our military equipment is made here ffs!
Maybe we should seek the advice from Sweden then, but get it from somewhere at least. It is probably cheaper to buy equipment off the shelf though from someone who already spent the money to develop it, in the short term at least until we can ramp up our own production. But they got to start buying from somewhere either domestic or international. I think we should have a larger Military also 70 thousand soldiers is not enough in my opinion
"There is a sense of urgency" and yet, the elephant in the room is still not acknowledged. No one wants to serve Canada's New WOKE Order! Bill Blair and the CDS were here at CFB Trenton this week at a town hall with the troops and the message--succinctly--was, essentially, "what needs to change will not change and is set in stone". No one is joining; the women and foreigners they want to attract aren't joining; the hard workers with expertise are leaving.
Non citizens can join the military to have access to firearms, while law abiding citizens are being disarmed? Maybe we should look to the swiss for their military defense policy.
For decades I have been telling people that Canada's only 2 ruling parties have been more destructive to Canada then they have constructive. Canada and Canadians no longer mattered. Canada's industries suffered and so did the people. And it shows as 70 of Canada's natural resources and industries are either owned or controlled by non Canadian entities. In the 1970's while I lived and worked in Resolute and the military came up for what was termed Arctic training, It was not nothing more then a bad joke. The over the decades since things got visibly worse as the Canadian government repeatedly neglected or fought each other over military aircraft and search and rescue aircraft. But the public only see and hear what they want. Worse is the political backstabbing and propaganda that has been spewed for mouths of politicians who care little about the country and more about their political egos and the next election. Both parties need to be thrown out and replaced with competent people who actually care about this country. Not the garbage the electorate likes because their lies are better.
Not broken but purposely destroyed. Both from within and from without. The culture that allowed the military to function and do the tasks they have done before and since Canada became a nation has been suborned and thrown in the dustbin for more "modern" sensibilities. Unless this country finds itself in a fight for pure survival it is doubtful the forces will ever recover.
Perhaps people are leaving and not enrolling because of the Woke direction the Forces have taken. After 37 years in the Infantry, I am saddened to see the sate of the Armed Forces today. No way I could recommend it to a young person as a career option any longer.
This is to be expected when you have a Quebec politician in charge. You would think that CANADA would learn after 8 years. Remember what the goals of my fellow Quebec residents are. Such the money from CANADA.
Absolutely. This has been an issue for decades. It's nothing new. And it's disgraceful how this issue has become a weapon for each side to attack the other.
I emailed the MND's office and Mr. Blair's staffers could not even send a reply. I suggested that he should step down rather than support Trudeau and Freeland's plan to cut $1B from the CAF. We need an election immediately and have a Conservative government that will restore funding and dignity to the CAF. Blair is a joke.
Something that is considered “urgent” and it is basically still pending after 2 years - with zero decisions for any implementation. Plus, how long do we need to wait for all decisions to go through the public service offices for equipment purchases? It is going to take so long that once we get the equipment that “we need” it will be so outdated that it will all get bounced back to the supplying companies for updating - if we have the money for that. Follow up this video in 3 years and sadly we are probably no further ahead, unless we go to sole source purchasing.
They will improve things by cutting 1 billion from the defense budget. The only "pure JT LPC" procurement project out there is the addition of the new aircraft transports and tankers.
Ukraine is in a life or death fight with Russia, if Russia wins that fight, Canada and the west will eventually be fighting Russia and/or China directly, is that what you want? I rather send treasure than blood. @@fromontario6954
This is the perfect time to now up our Defense to at least 2.5% if not 3% GDP. Fix our Equipment, Get some new Ships and for God sakes... Get The Avro Super Arrow Going like yesterday... We are A founding Member of NATO it's disgusting at 1.2% we should be ashamed of our selves
The equipment is the least of the worries. Just count how many billions of dollars are you paying for the ukrianian brave defenders heros which are here in Canada instead of trenches in the ukriane
@@dkrawk8309 It is a very big worry. Our Armoured forces unit has very minimal equipment with tanks and armour that is "Non serviceable" or has been sent to Ukraine. Keep in mind we only have like 82 leopard A2 tanks in the country. We can't even afford housing for the troops in general. Your completely wrong if you want Canada to be demilitarized, it can affect your freedom and security if you thrive in this country under those conditions.
@@inu5926 freedom?? Canada? Uhm.......how thick is your forehead? We had freedom convoy, we all saw what happened. Like who do you need protection from? I'll tell you, your current regime!!
In 1980, the corporate tax rate was 36%. Today? 15%, one of the lowest in the oecd. Corporations only contribute 25% of the revenue of the government. During the same period, the feds decided to cut building in public housing, and reduce investment in health and defense. So here we are.
That’s the most truly I’ve ever heard Bill Blair speaking. He seems truely shocked to realize how badly in shape the CAF are. And the downward spiral and neglect didn’t start in 2015… bolts were coming loose shortly after we pulled out of Kandahar in 2011, under the conservatives. Both governments neglected the CAF and ignored many signs and warning calls. My respect to all mens and womens still serving for the good reasons and thank you for your service. A Kandahar Vet
This circumstance is due to multiple federal governments of every political stripe failing to maintain funding for the CAF at reasonable levels, failing to spend (even completely ignoring it as recently confessed by Crime Minister Turdeau) the 2% of GDP expenditure NATO target. Federal governments since 1867 all share in the blame and the shame for multiple failures to take Canadian sovereignty seriously, promoting and preserving it with a healthy well trained, equipped, properly functioning CAF, and all the necessary supports that go along with it! The Canadian Armed Farces are in need of political prioritization and political will to become somewhat functional and prepared again. The CAF has always demonstrated its professionalism and commitment even with the 💩 it puts up with from the federal government of the day. Imagine what they could be if they were treated more effectively than an occasional political photo op!!
It should be considered criminal negligence when a Country like Canada has not been ready 25 years, not even meeting the basic NATO agreement either. Will be more than living HELL if something rolls-😮 if not held accountable NOW
This is sad. I served for 23 years in the RCN. I would think that this report would be a wake-up call to remove the ridiculous equipment acquisition process we are required to undergo just to get ships, aircraft and tanks. With all that said though, none of this equipment will mean anything if you don't have personnel to operate it. Maybe if the Government made an actual commitment to care for those who have served, maybe Canadians would consider signing-up. People are probably well aware of the dismal treatment of Veterans, and they simply don't want the same for themselves.
It hurts my soul. I proudly served for 17 years and to see what was once a proud Military is now a Joke amongst the vary people it was designed to protect. "UBIQUE"
I was in for 36 years. It’s ALL Governments ( Liberals and Conservatives)that are responsible for this spiral. ALL Defence Ministers and Snr Officers play a part in this as well. Canadians in general don’t care about the CAF except when we’re needed for responding to an emergency or on November 11th , then soldiers and veterans are quickly put away. Canadians need to become a little more patriotic towards their military and first responders, like our American counterparts and then the money and proper spending might start happening. Also, start taking care of the veterans better. Word of mouth from a veteran who is taken care of goes a long way.
Our military spending should be AT LEAST 2% of GDP, and more closer to 3% because we have lagged far behind for far too long. Troop numbers and equipment should also be tripled. There should be massive recruitment drives, and if that fails, then limited conscription should be considered. The world is becoming ever more unstable. We need to be able to at least defend ourselves reasonably in case of an invasion.
The Government has sapped the morale, education, and desire to join and fulfill the required minimum number of future replacement Operators of military Equipment - especially knowing that they have to pay for their own Kit and are left to defend themselves without Government support when 'Discharged'. Even Sheep know when they are getting fleeced by the Golden Glove...
Bobblehead Blair, ever the opportunist, JT likely won’t survive a leadership review, so he’s talking tough and strutting around like he’s the leadership alternative. It’s all about him. Soon other rats will start positioning themselves to jump the NDP-Liberal Coalition sinking ship. Blair likes to hear himself talk, that’s all.
Close but not exactly correct. Talking with many of the reservist Vets, coming back from deployment, they were told their jobs are protected until they return. In the mean time civilians have decided to fill the positions in their absence. When they come back they are allowed to return to their new job, and on more then one occasion asked by managers if this will be a regular thing. If the civilians get the unwanted answer the reservist;s days are numbered with no recourse as some issue for their termination will be found. Alliteratively as was my experience in over 43 jobs and hundreds of job interviews, if you state you are a member of the CAF reserve, then you don;t get the job when fully qualified or offer a lower position that cn be filled by a civilian. , And now with this no scab law that was passed reservist are SCREWED!! Thank You Trudeau , hope the next military parade, present arms with bayonets does not help end your political career!!!
Procurement is, and always has been, broken. DND doesn't buy its own stuff, it has to go through government. Government has become so inept that Government policy regarding procurement is preventing the Government from implementing its own Defense policy. Ten years to buy a frigging pistol.
Wasn't so long ago DND shouted on rooftops that its number one priority was culture change. That's from the Minister's mouth, marching orders from the PM. How's that working out for readiness?
Been out sence 2017, medical release after 35 years. When we left kandahar in 2011, we sent bashed out junk home. I didn't notice any race to replace it .
Not working one reason NO proud in your Country what a Shame for All the Fallen Don't Remember That Lost . Easy Living PEOPLE to forget What Hard times are So So Out of Touch When love ones start to die from losing what a Canadian is and Was What a Shameful day that will be Already here Tic Toc Alarms bells ringing be the Nation We Are Take care All ONE Foundation Or Nothing
Before I left, I had nothing but contempt for the Canadian forces in 2020. They made it very clear that they did not want male pale and stale. What a truly criminal organization they've become.
This is understandable, being defended by the United States with no enemies anywhere near Canada's shores... Canada does OK considering 30 million people live there.
When I was 21, I was working as a mechanic and I aspired for more in my life. I tried to enrol in the CAF. I thought I would get a chance of becoming a aircraft or tank technician. I made the mistake of being honest and admitted I had tried magic mushrooms once in my youth, they denied my application, the officer seemed disappointed because he was exited to have someone motivated enrol. Seing the state of everything right now, telling the truth was probably the best thing that ever happened to me.
heres an idea! pay me more! as a private i make like 115 a day, and a days work could be 12 hours... making less then 5 dollars an hour at that point. why would anyone wanna serve their country for that little of money? you cant even afford to live off that.
I know everybody’s been freaking out about how much money the government is spending, but we need a military capable of defending Canada and its citizens, I want me and my family to feel and be safe in our own country from foreign threats. And if my taxes go up significantly to resolve this issue then, so be it, this one’s not negotiable.
The forces have been broken for years. My dad told me before he died that Canada would become a neutral country like Switzerland in 5 years & that was back in 2005
Unfortunately Blair's track record speaks for itself. After all is said and done, much will have been said, nothing will have been done. That man couldn't find his ass with both hands.
Canada could not find a Navy between its own legs.
I retired last year after 35 years in uniform and another 7, split service, working for IMP Aerospace.
The military has been broken for decades and there are essentially two specific reasons why.
The procurement process and a lack of spending coupled with politicians sticking there noses into places they don't belong.
Two major examples were the Sea King replacement program and the CF-18 replacement program.
I could write a book on why it took so long for those occur. In a word though politicians.
Also hey Scott. Good to see you on RUclips brother. 👍
2 VP.
I was in the Forces just a few years after unification. That was a morale disaster and experienced service personnel left in droves severing the continuity of the old hands training up the young. It's as if the CAF never quite caught up after that. The government of the day was anti-military. Paul Hellyer wanted to wind down the Navy completely and Pierre Elliot Trudeau was a misguided pacifist who stood down Canada's NATO forces at the most dangerous height of the Cold War. You inherited a deeply damaged CAF 35 years ago.
Next one to come up will be the CSC procurement. It'll be over 100 billion dollars for 15 ships. Anyone who's been watching the news over the past 2 years knows very well that capital ships are nothing more than expensive targets that can be destroyed by a cheap drone, both at sea (Moskva) or in port (pick your vessel, including a new, modern diesel submarine). We should recognize publicly that Building the CSC fleet is no different than building Battleships in 1954. The whole world has moved on to carriers and we're still building ships for TWO wars ago, not even the last war. It's insane that we are doing this. This war is the perfect opportunity to turn off that program and redirect the funds to something more useful and less risky. "Hey Canada, the situations changed. It no longer makes sense to build these expensive ships, we plan to cut back the program and use that money for XYZ project instead." They don't even have to "take the fall" for it. There's a clear as day reason to cancel it that if even a half assed explanation were given the public would see the sense in it. But our politicians haven't the wherewithal to recognize this, nor the intelligence to do it.
Everyone knows that if we pay our troops more, we'll have more troops. If we assume an average salary of about $70k and that we're short even 10k people, that's $700M in salary that's not being spent. Use it to bolster our soldier's salary a little and we'll attract more people. Once we've added to the number of soldiers, we can bump the pay envelope to keep paying these people. But what do I know? I'm not a general or anything.
please write that book. thank you for your service
@@DanielWillis-q2g "Anyone who's been watching the news over the past 2 years knows very well that capital ships are nothing more than expensive targets "
You know that, do you?
BTW, Frigates are only "capital ships " to gamer geeks. Name me one modern Frigate"taken out".
The Forces broke 58 years ago when they were unified and that is what you inherited. I was there soon after, btw.
Empty words from the latest politician. Means nothing. The rot will continue.
Former gun minister, like I’m going to listen to anything this turd says.
Bill Blair screws up everything he touches.
Not only a government issue, the backstabbing and toxic workplace has a lot to do with this. Equipment and housing is a factor yes.
This failed generarion isnt helping at all either. People with incredibly soft hands and feelings are terrified of military, law enforcement, corrections.
Any occupation that has some risk is a hard nope from them.
So many man children out there still letting their parents do everything for them its pathetic
@@rdpeach I am 19 starting my BMQ this summer, not all are lost but I couldn't agree more with you
@alphaisdank42069 not all are lost my friend. Good luck on your bmq
@@alphaisdank42069 good luck on your career. 👍
@@alphaisdank42069 The fact you would voluntarily serve your enemy means its lost. That being said im glad you are going, idiots will be easy to defeat.
The fact that Canadian forces personnel are paid from taxes, then give the gov't some money back is insane. Remove federal income taxes, order (and fund) the mass construction/refurbishment of base housing, and you'll see things improve. Culture war BS needs to be put aside.
What culture war?
@s66458--- how can you not understand the culture war? Woke leftism has destroyed the CAF and country
@@s66458---Are you insane?
@@loganvl6731 you in the military? Explain to me how the caf in policy is fighting a "culture war"?
The Canadian Armed Forces is as it has always been, ignored, under funded, unappreciated, and asked to perform miracles with third world cast-offs. The men and women of the forces bravely and fearlessly commit themselves every day around the world. God bless them now and always.
What meant by third world cast off?
Prolly shit equipment, I'd say. That was a stupid way to put it though.
@@IamAzuri Yes, Autralia, from who we got those 40 yeear old clapped-out F-18s is hardly a third world county...
Most of the "brave" men and women are fat and dont seem to want to do the job
@@IamAzuri I think it’s exaggerated, but the CAF has a lot of outdated gear tbh. But, that’s what makes them all the better, if they can do well with outdated gear, imagine what they could do with newer upgraded gear.
4:47 "We've got to do something different" Like a change in government, perhaps?
@@rollthedice54 or 1967 or 1922 or 1935 or 1870 but history is not fate
Less talk, more action. This 'minister' has mishandled every portfolio he's been in charge of. No reason to think he or his government will do any better on this file. Sweden just joined NATO & one of the 1st things their PM assured was that they would be meeting the 2% GDP spending target on their military. Meanwhile the CAF (no disrespect to serving members) are having to opt out of joint operations due to lack of personnel & equipment. There's no quick fix, the Feds have no money for the military, they're kind of busy racking up our National debt on other 'things'....
question is why fight for a country that doesn't helps for it's own people?
If Canada met its two percent of GDP in military spending we could have some (not much) hope. At this point, a 6-8% percent every year for the next 10 years MIGHT help, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
@@lougarou8431 Make sense, but.... it will make Canada broke even more. Canada needs cash to pay every year settlements for indians
I am not here to defend the Government, but the Canadian Media and Canadian Industry also have a big part to play in this ‘death spiral’. Mr. Taylor, your presentations are a small beacon of hope in a very large sea of darkness.
It has been evident throughout the decades that the media is not a friend of the military, especially when it comes to Defence Spending. If the media were to truly investigate and truthfully report the condition of the military, this speech by Blair would be considered weak and ineffectual. No actual picture of the CAF’s bloated, reactive and sloth-like acquisition process has ever been presented. Everyone complains about the cost of acquisition, but neither the media nor the general public hold the politicians accountable for their stupid, wasteful decisions. In addition, administrative burdens (e.g., DEI) create a less than ideal environment. Don’t expect the senior military to complain - their jobs and pensions are on the line.
Industry, for the most part, sees Canadian defence contracts as a cash cow - a few examples. Generally, I think that you would find that every military contract has to have at least 100% Canadian content or offset. Not a problem, but I think that you will find that there are never any penalty clauses, for poor production, cost overruns or for late delivery. I suggest that if a problem is discovered after the fact, regardless of the cause, the Canadian Taxpayer would have to pay, even if the Contractor created the problem. I have no doubt that there may be exceptions, but I put forward that they are few and far between. I wonder if all documentation still has to be in both official languages (at a significant cost), even though in most operational conditions, it is not practical.
Furthermore, the government should promulgate a requirement of a minimum of a two-year service gap for any member of the CAF before they can be hired by Canadian Contractors. This would help to reduce the rate of departure of the brightest and most useful personnel from the ranks.
Well said, sadly CAF manpower to like an upside down pyramid - no problem retaining the snr staff.
Some who want to join PT or FT only hear about old equipment, & low pay. Even the newer M777 guns are now obsolete. Spare parts no longer made
The media is funded by the government... when you blame the media you blame the government
@@mdarks4117 Totally agree. As another example, the new ships that the RCN is to acquire will probably be obsolete by the time the last one is built and 'operationally ready' -- assuming that the government doesn't incorporate delays due to funding problems.
@edp8592 'A two year service gap between when a CAF member releases and when they can work for contractors'.
Are you seriously suggesting the Government enact a 2 year pseudo non-compete clause? Is that what I am to understand?
Blaming a previous government is an old trick. Justin's daddy started this process and now Jr gets to finish it .
Lip service as usual. Archaic equipment, shit pay and benefits along with abandoned if you are injured.
As i ex caf infantry ill say this .nobody wants to fight for a country that cares more about gay rights than our veterans . it was brutal i know but had to be said .
agreed
Demonizing critical thinking patriotic citizens isn’t working?
It had to get this bad for them to stop trying to sugarcoat it? After 8 years, I doubt that defence policy update is coming anytime "soon." The decade of darkness turned into decades.
The CAF clearly needs more Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion..... this country can kiss my a$$.... signed an Afghan Vet
Whats your problem with diversity? You are a veteran and that's why you should respect other sir
😅😅😅 That's so funny it's true...
@@lilik4 The Troll Strikes Back
@@lilik4 The CAF has always been diverse, but when hiring and promotions are based on some BS number on a DEI list, then you lose respect. Hiring and promotions in the CF should be based solely on merit, not some BS DEI list.
@@lilik4 I personally WITNESSED an officer of "diversity" have multiple live NDs on a live range and somehow it was brushed off as no major issue....... This garbage has gone too far!
Sweden just joined nato. Smaller country and their military makes ours look like a security company.
That purchase of those 4 British lemon subs was a disaster and embarrassment.
Now our standards are lowered and the bags of shit they are hiring are downright pathetic
Sweden military is a bad feminist joke.
Make Canada Great Again!
You didn't said who should do this ?
Took my grandson over two years to get into a combat arms trade that's a joke. no wonder people move away from this easer to get a better paying job on the outside.
I hear that, I'm on month 15 of waiting for an enrolement and BMQ date to be a Artillery Gunner. Got my offer and accepted it 12 months ago now, haven't heard a thing since and recruiters can't give me a straight answer as to why the long delay
My old trade retired after 21 years. I don't know what the hell is going on in the forces. Too bad they have recruiting so screwed up.
@@marcchartrand36 I bet when you signed up it was less than 2-3 months before you were off to basic and at a time when the CAF was a solid career choice to make. Now with retention, recruitment, and culture problems, your grandson and I will be lucky to make it 5 years, let alone 20+
@@USSR3962If you got an offer and accepted it, nope. Usually from offer to BMQ/BMOQ is like at most a month. So I call BS you got an offer.
@@s66458--- Go tell that to my recruiter, because I'm still waiting.
My years of military service 1967-96. x2 Infantry Reserve units. x1 Regular Armoured Unit. + A regular specialized classification. The fate & circumstances of the Canadian military is a constant topic of coffee conversations with my retired colleagues. Canada’s 2 traditional governing parties have failed our military repeatedly since the end of WW2. It is a moot point as to which was worse. Neither have fixed the broken procurement process. Both took turns reducing the size of our military. Both cut budgets. Both delayed critical operational equipment replacements. Both failed Canadian military veterans. Both failed to explain to the Canadian voter why keeping an up to strength military is critical to Canada’s presence on the world stage. Both failed to connect the dots of international trade & international alliances for the Canadian public. EU trade & NATO. NORAD & trade with America. It will take a long time to rebuild our military. Both traditional governing parties will take turns forming government over the necessary rebuilding. I hope our allies call Canada out & insist that Canada restores our military.
" owned up to the shit show" , lol
I slipped that one past the censors!
As one Australian commentator often reminds Australians, don't listen to what politicians say - watch what they do. Canada is in the same position as Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. All of whose governments are guilty of serial failure to adequately equip, fund and man their respective armed forces for the last 20 years and more.
If voters in those nations are concerned about that, they certainly show no sign of it. Which only encourages politicians to continue their very lackadaisical approach to national defence.
Yeah but for Canada the military has been underfunded since the Korean War and Canadians have just accepted this. It has to change.
Give the military the 2% GDP they need to be in NATO and then let them run the military, not the government.
They cannot spend the budget they have now. It would be like trying to force feed a starving man to get them to instantly spend 2%.
By the new standard of vehicles being able to now do all 3 requirements of shoot move and communicate I promise you the number of functional vehicles is less then reported.
It’s ridiculous to expect troops to accept unlimited liability when they’re poorly equipped, poorly funded and new recruits are poorer trained. You wonder why everyone is leaving.
Canadian army holds from falling apart by plastic straps and duct tape 😂😂 . This was same in Germany ruled by Putin,s best friend Merkel and now whole Europe is in danger
Everything Blair touches breaks....he's a waste of space...
Maybe dont kick ppl out for not being vaxxed
Maybe consideration should be given to amalgamation with the US forces. Same uniform,same kit same gear. Different flag. We're a clown show today.
Sure... but then who do they ultimately answer to...
@@craigquann Who cares at this point, our government is so corrupt they make the US government look positively angellic.
@@craigquannif we arent with the USA, we're against them...
Consider that before you walk away any further.
Do you want an army loyal to you or a foreign government? Not that it would ever likely get to that point, but that could be a serious problem politically... but I guess on the other hand, it's basically at that point anyway, so why not just cut the USA a cheque and go shopping... I just don't like the idea of giving up our sovereignty.
@@craigquann yeah ive thought about the sovereignty situation a lot and considering both we & the US are multicultural/multiracial federations we both are vulnerable to security risks/hybrid warfare attacks by the competing enthic groups either with or without foreign aid.
Besides, idk if you noticed America reaps all the benefits of its sovereignty while Canada sells itself out to the world for favour. Libs, Cons, I've seen them both do it.
Maybe it's time for the 5 eyes to become 4.
That's what the liberals wanted. This confederation is toast.
This is why China put Trudeau in office.
I think there has been too much negative focus on allowing non-citizens to enroll. This is not new. Until the 90s we allowed permanent residents to enroll (at least in the PRes) on the understanding that they would become citizens within a certain time. When it was taken away as an option, this made recruiting for the PRes (which was already a challenge) even more difficult. When you hear 'non-citizen' you make certain assumptions.
Here's an example to help clarify. In my last unit, a recent immigrant tried to join. He had been a Maj in our affiliated the regiment from the UK. He had been a company commander at Sandhurst and was the recipient of the Military Cross. He was told he'd have to wait 3 years minimum until he became a citizen. Somewhere in those 3 years, he lost interest in serving in the CAF and imparting his knowledge to young Canadian soldiers.
A few years earlier, another former Brit soldier tried to enroll. He was a former SSgt from the R Engineers who was keen on becoming an infantry officer. He had several deployments under his belt and had put himself through law school. He lost interest while waiting as well.
We’ve always had a poor budget, it’s not why people leave, they aren’t leaving because “we’ve been doing the same thing for decades and it’s not working” they leave because the government is creating a hostile workplace full of new recruits with no discipline and all the entitlement. People love recognition and hate hard work don’t mix well with silent professionals. Stop forcing us to adapt to the artificial and hostile environment you’re creating for the sake DEI. We’ve always looked out for each other so long as we are all green.
at this point civilian militia's would be as good as the military force we have.
He and the last idiot minister broke it .
More like every Defense Minister we had after 1945...
And the ones before that!
I'm in the CAF for 15 years as a Combat Engineer, still serving, and with all the culture change in the CAF ( woke ). I've seen so many people releasing because the way the CAF go. People want to be a warrior, they want to do cool shit.
Spent 3 years in the military. I would never put that uniform on again. ESPECIALLY if someone like trudeau is in power.
If our leaders hire foreign nationals (how’d that work out for the Romans?) and the government then asks those same foreigners to turn their weapons against Canadian nationals, then we’ve got a serious problem.
WHy would they agree? Citizenship gives them nothing more than what the gubmint already gives them.
Don't worry be happy, Indians take care of them.
Do you remember when the government produced a white paper outlining what it expects the military to do and explain how they were going to provide the the tools to do that job? Well it has been decades since Canada had a white paper that I am aware. The government has spent decades teaching French and championing women. In the last decade the military has pushed inclusiveness as long as you are not a white male and writing and rewriting job descriptions and processes. Until Canada has a defense policy and provides the funds to meet that policy, it will continue to discriminate against white males, strive for French exclusivity, teach inclusiveness and not be very wartime ready.
Actually Charles the last "white" or "defense" policy paper was released in 2017. Its called the Strong Secure Engage (SSE). It was actually drafted by the conservatives with a very ambitious agenda to modernize us. But failed with the Liberals to meet the paper's resource allocation to make it work. You can easily find it doing a google search mate. I am leaning towards agreeing with your other insertions on the CPCC aggressive agenda on "doing everything we can to address the problem that we have too many white males in the military".. yeah the DEI social engineering project went sideways and no-one will take responsibility at NDHQ for that fiasco.
French exclusivity? I don't think so. We all know the CF's language program is a joke. People get just enough French to get a profile and forget any French they have learned. (Colonel and above is a different story). Is it a terrible idea to at least pretend that people in leadership position be able to communicate with 30% of the troops that do speak French? Past basic trades training, we're still at the level of "french assist" in most training.
Some thoughts to share…
1. This is not a former government problem, it’s been 8 years with the current party. It’s grossly unrealistic to assign blame to the Conservatives after this length of time. Own your shit Liberals, passing blame does nobody any good, get on with solving the problem;
2. Revamp our broken procurement process to make it more agile, and current with not only the present demand but that of the future too;
3. Hire civilians to take up more administrative and logistic roles (actual workers, not more leaders). Contracted ones like CBO in Meaford, On. This is to afford flexibility in support trades to fulfill deployment requirements. This in turn would allow for the further professionalization of roles, and assure workplace continuity rather than restarting “new training” every-time someone is posted;
4. Embrace a digital culture in order to maximize productivity of our uniformed people, remove antiquated processes and embrace new and novel work concepts;
5. Hire out recruiting administration processes to civilian employees, again, system familiarity and continuity.Better yet, hire veterans specifically for this role. And, re-examine how and when the CFAT is administered;
6. Last, and most important, messaging, not the Defence Team and the institutional narrative. Demonstrate to Canadians why the CAF, and all its elements are important. It makes no difference who you show, it’s what you show! Professionals of all stripes providing service to Canada.
It’s governments going back to at least the 50’s that has been the problem. The current one had the opportunity many times over to fix this and they’ve squandered it. Now, we’re behind the eight ball. Had they done something (I know, couda, shouda, wouda..) we’d be further ahead no doubt. Look at the squawking over the P8 purchase and all of the chirping out of Bombardier and QC?? I call a spade a spade.. Unfortunately, we may need ‘outside’ help from our allies to consult with on how to fix this in a hurry. No longer a Made in 🇨🇦 nor Canadian solution is gonna work here. Embarrassing, but what needs to be done, needs to be done ✈️
And this is only the gear. I bet they wouldn't be able to crew 2 frigates on the East Coast if they had to deploy tomorrow.
When your priority is tampons in the men’s room, you know it’s broken.
Not a priority. lol. Why do tampons bother you so much?
Are you that stupid or just pretending?
And Trudeau shrugged.
Ahh yes, the incompetency of the government never ceases to amuse.... 21,472 applicants and 77 accepted due to paperwork...
The citizens of this country never demand any better from our politicians, so they get the military (and the government) they deserve.
Sorry Scott, But you need to update your dictionary because Canadian lawyers have changed the definition of “soon.” Back in 2014, some lawyers (Superior Court of British Columbia) promised me “The parties have reached an agreement and you will be paid soon.” Hah! They withheld payment for 10 months while I struggled to recover from surgery, financial collapse and an emotional break-down.
Lawyers dominate the House of Commons and they like to promise defence purchases “soon” as a polite way of delaying purchases or postponing purchases or eventually cancelling purchases.
M/Cpl Rob Warner, CD, BA, etc.
Scott.. Thank you for informing me. Scott as an American saw after Viet Nam ( Fully paid holiday in the tropics by Uncle Sam ) a real drop off w/ the military. When Regan was elected the situation changed. Today, am aware of massive R&D into several platforms, and tactics to address our mutual friends in China.
Yes! Canadians must address their military. As an American, I would view a member of CAF as a brother or sister!
Can a way forward be joint CanAm integrated units? The units will train, communicate, and operate as one. ? Or is this pie in the sky??? We BOTH need to think out if the box!
Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance
Trudeau and Trump had a strained personal relationship. Trump once said Trudeau was “two-faced,” describing the prime minister as “very dishonest and weak.”
Justin Trudeau acknowledged that Canada’s military is woefully short on supplies, but blamed the situation on our contributions to Ukraine.
"Why are we still fighting certain veterans groups in court? Because they're asking for more than we are able to give right now,"
Justin 🇨🇦
Trump called him out 2 %
half of the military's equipment is considered "unavailable and unserviceable" - says a recent internal Department of National Defence (DND)
“All things being equal, the simplest solution tends to be best one”
I’m 100% to vote ☑️ Poilievre!!
Remove the archaic idea that officers have to be university grads! I wanted to go back to the Forces 20 years or so after my time in the Army, interested in flight school; after time overseas as a civilian medic, I wanted to be part of delivering and supplying humanitarian aid as my ancestors and colleagues in blue helmets did (yeah, I'm old enough to have served with Canadian casques bleu) . They asked me, "do you have a university degree?"
"In what?" I replied.
"In anything." said the recruiter.
Wow. So I can't possibly be a viable candidate because I don't have a degree... but if I had gotten a degree in English Lit, that makes me an officer and therefore eligible for CAF flight school?? Sorry my life experience, trade school and previous service isn't valuable!
I agree to this.
The requirement for a degree was introduced in the wake of the Somalia affair. Many big mouth wags with opinions kept saying things like, "how can you call yourselves a profession when officers don't even have to have degrees". I had a friend in recruiting at the time and he said immediately following the requirement there was a 30% drop in applicants for pilots and combat arms officers.
A degree is not a guarantee of quality. Field Marshal Montgomery didn't have a degree. Winston Churchill didn't. Neither did Pres. Harry Truman. You know who did have degrees? Heinrich Himmler. Joseph Goebbels had a PhD. Josef Mengele (of Auschwitz) was an MD.
Why is it archaic, what would set the 2 roles apart then?
@@s66458--- Good question. One I have struggled somewhat to explain over the decades. We are not the UK of Waterloo when soldiers were from a lower class, usually unable to read, and officers were rich men who purchased their commissions. Most volunteers for the CAF, both officers and NCMs, come from the same middle class. I have seen (more common in the reserves) NCOs with degrees and post grad degrees who refuse to be officers.
It is a question of committing to a slightly different set of responsibilities. It's a different job - like being army or navy is similar but different.
I've often felt, that there is merit to a system of everyone starting off as a pte and that officer commissioning be part of career progression where a decision is made at some point which stream to select: management suit or a more hands-on foreman.
@@lib556But for me there is management at NCM level. I mean, for most trades, above MCpl, all are managers to some extend. NCOs, especially senior levels are middle management. Officers, start middle and can end up upper... So it is not just about management and non-management. They would be better off having a tech track and a management track, both with good, decent pay and get rid of the officer/NCM system. That is one way to go.
Canada should consider asking the USA for advice and training on how to operate a military
We can't just expect them to defend us
USA is in a world of hurt of their own. Most NATO countries are facing the exact same recruitment problems and culture changes. It's not just Canada.
Have you seen the shortfalls and retention rates in the US military? Wtf are you talking about? A big part of the problem is that we no longer have a defense industry here in Canada. We send all our taxes to the American defense industry and pay ridiculous amounts of money for their kit.
Do you have any idea of the scale and quality of the military kit Sweden has? And they are a lot smaller than we are.
Wtf would we need the US to “defend “ us and from who? The last time we were attacked was from the USA. How is it that so many other countries in the world aren’t allied with a major power but somehow don’t get attacked?
Get Canada out of NATO and NORAD and make sure that 80% of our military equipment is made here ffs!
Maybe we should seek the advice from Sweden then, but get it from somewhere at least. It is probably cheaper to buy equipment off the shelf though from someone who already spent the money to develop it, in the short term at least until we can ramp up our own production. But they got to start buying from somewhere either domestic or international.
I think we should have a larger Military also 70 thousand soldiers is not enough in my opinion
@@Caminator952
We should go domestic, there’s no current threats to the country.
@@marcusaetius9309Not true we were attacked by Germany during WW2 they sent U-boats right up the St. Lawrence and Ottawa did nothing.
"There is a sense of urgency" and yet, the elephant in the room is still not acknowledged. No one wants to serve Canada's New WOKE Order! Bill Blair and the CDS were here at CFB Trenton this week at a town hall with the troops and the message--succinctly--was, essentially, "what needs to change will not change and is set in stone". No one is joining; the women and foreigners they want to attract aren't joining; the hard workers with expertise are leaving.
Non citizens can join the military to have access to firearms, while law abiding citizens are being disarmed?
Maybe we should look to the swiss for their military defense policy.
For decades I have been telling people that Canada's only 2 ruling parties have been more destructive to Canada then they have constructive. Canada and Canadians no longer mattered. Canada's industries suffered and so did the people. And it shows as 70 of Canada's natural resources and industries are either owned or controlled by non Canadian entities. In the 1970's while I lived and worked in Resolute and the military came up for what was termed Arctic training, It was not nothing more then a bad joke. The over the decades since things got visibly worse as the Canadian government repeatedly neglected or fought each other over military aircraft and search and rescue aircraft. But the public only see and hear what they want. Worse is the political backstabbing and propaganda that has been spewed for mouths of politicians who care little about the country and more about their political egos and the next election. Both parties need to be thrown out and replaced with competent people who actually care about this country. Not the garbage the electorate likes because their lies are better.
Maybe stop giving all this money to Ukraine
CAF have been in the toilet for decades...nothing to do with Ukraine...Slava Ukraini.
And the next goverment liberal or conservative will keep kicking the can. Nothing will happen that is actually substantial
Not broken but purposely destroyed. Both from within and from without. The culture that allowed the military to function and do the tasks they have done before and since Canada became a nation has been suborned and thrown in the dustbin for more "modern" sensibilities. Unless this country finds itself in a fight for pure survival it is doubtful the forces will ever recover.
Perhaps people are leaving and not enrolling because of the Woke direction the Forces have taken. After 37 years in the Infantry, I am saddened to see the sate of the Armed Forces today. No way I could recommend it to a young person as a career option any longer.
Bill Blair is a drunk.
Bill Blair is the problem
Tip of the iceberg, but your reporting is a start
This is to be expected when you have a Quebec politician in charge. You would think that CANADA would learn after 8 years. Remember what the goals of my fellow Quebec residents are. Such the money from CANADA.
How about spend 3 billion on our military instead of a foreign military that’s not even a nato member on the other side of the world.
Want Canadian citizenship mandate 2 years in military service.
Very true and it’s the fault of both the Liberals AND the Conservatives!!!!!
Absolutely. This has been an issue for decades. It's nothing new. And it's disgraceful how this issue has become a weapon for each side to attack the other.
Sad that I’m willing to take simple acknowledgement of the problems as a small beacon of hope.
Get rid of Trudeau and the vaccine mandate and make pay better and you will get more service members.
How many politicians I mean generals do we have?????
We have a (female) 3 star in charge of "culture change". Not kidding.
Ease the application for the armed forces.
We have more generals now than when we had a million man army at the height of ww2
ive lost all hope for canada and im not even sure if id defend it in a time of crisis
I emailed the MND's office and Mr. Blair's staffers could not even send a reply. I suggested that he should step down rather than support Trudeau and Freeland's plan to cut $1B from the CAF. We need an election immediately and have a Conservative government that will restore funding and dignity to the CAF. Blair is a joke.
They cut 1 billion from us and gave a foreign non nato country 3 billion. JT prioritizes NON Canadians.
Something that is considered “urgent” and it is basically still pending after 2 years - with zero decisions for any implementation. Plus, how long do we need to wait for all decisions to go through the public service offices for equipment purchases? It is going to take so long that once we get the equipment that “we need” it will be so outdated that it will all get bounced back to the supplying companies for updating - if we have the money for that. Follow up this video in 3 years and sadly we are probably no further ahead, unless we go to sole source purchasing.
We will be following up this video every week, Lord willing.
They will improve things by cutting 1 billion from the defense budget. The only "pure JT LPC" procurement project out there is the addition of the new aircraft transports and tankers.
While at the same time giving away 3 billion to a foreign non nato country.
Ukraine is in a life or death fight with Russia, if Russia wins that fight, Canada and the west will eventually be fighting Russia and/or China directly, is that what you want? I rather send treasure than blood. @@fromontario6954
I believe BB. NOT!
All of the Latest Submarines are beached. This has to stop. The Last Support Ship we had? Gone to the ship breakers. This has to stop!
And the new artic patrol shipd are sinking in water...
We need Barracuda Suffern types of submarines ..
Point lepreau...
This is the perfect time to now up our Defense to at least 2.5% if not 3% GDP. Fix our Equipment, Get some new Ships and for God sakes... Get The Avro Super Arrow Going like yesterday... We are A founding Member of NATO it's disgusting at 1.2% we should be ashamed of our selves
We have no more to give.
-Justin Trudeau
And all of these fools think anyone will join.
Why would we send most of our valuable equipment to Ukraine when we can't even afford the equipment ourselves.
The equipment is the least of the worries.
Just count how many billions of dollars are you paying for the ukrianian brave defenders heros which are here in Canada instead of trenches in the ukriane
@@dkrawk8309 It is a very big worry. Our Armoured forces unit has very minimal equipment with tanks and armour that is "Non serviceable" or has been sent to Ukraine. Keep in mind we only have like 82 leopard A2 tanks in the country. We can't even afford housing for the troops in general. Your completely wrong if you want Canada to be demilitarized, it can affect your freedom and security if you thrive in this country under those conditions.
@@inu5926 freedom?? Canada?
Uhm.......how thick is your forehead?
We had freedom convoy, we all saw what happened.
Like who do you need protection from?
I'll tell you, your current regime!!
In 1980, the corporate tax rate was 36%.
Today? 15%, one of the lowest in the oecd.
Corporations only contribute 25% of the revenue of the government.
During the same period, the feds decided to cut building in public housing, and reduce investment in health and defense.
So here we are.
That’s the most truly I’ve ever heard Bill Blair speaking. He seems truely shocked to realize how badly in shape the CAF are. And the downward spiral and neglect didn’t start in 2015… bolts were coming loose shortly after we pulled out of Kandahar in 2011, under the conservatives.
Both governments neglected the CAF and ignored many signs and warning calls.
My respect to all mens and womens still serving for the good reasons and thank you for your service.
A Kandahar Vet
This circumstance is due to multiple federal governments of every political stripe failing to maintain funding for the CAF at reasonable levels, failing to spend (even completely ignoring it as recently confessed by Crime Minister Turdeau) the 2% of GDP expenditure NATO target. Federal governments since 1867 all share in the blame and the shame for multiple failures to take Canadian sovereignty seriously, promoting and preserving it with a healthy well trained, equipped, properly functioning CAF, and all the necessary supports that go along with it! The Canadian Armed Farces are in need of political prioritization and political will to become somewhat functional and prepared again. The CAF has always demonstrated its professionalism and commitment even with the 💩 it puts up with from the federal government of the day. Imagine what they could be if they were treated more effectively than an occasional political photo op!!
It should be considered criminal negligence when a Country like Canada has not been ready 25 years, not even meeting the basic NATO agreement either. Will be more than living HELL if something rolls-😮 if not held accountable NOW
This is sad. I served for 23 years in the RCN. I would think that this report would be a wake-up call to remove the ridiculous equipment acquisition process we are required to undergo just to get ships, aircraft and tanks. With all that said though, none of this equipment will mean anything if you don't have personnel to operate it. Maybe if the Government made an actual commitment to care for those who have served, maybe Canadians would consider signing-up. People are probably well aware of the dismal treatment of Veterans, and they simply don't want the same for themselves.
It hurts my soul. I proudly served for 17 years and to see what was once a proud Military is now a Joke amongst the vary people it was designed to protect. "UBIQUE"
I was in for 36 years. It’s ALL Governments ( Liberals and Conservatives)that are responsible for this spiral. ALL Defence Ministers and Snr Officers play a part in this as well. Canadians in general don’t care about the CAF except when we’re needed for responding to an emergency or on November 11th , then soldiers and veterans are quickly put away. Canadians need to become a little more patriotic towards their military and first responders, like our American counterparts and then the money and proper spending might start happening.
Also, start taking care of the veterans better. Word of mouth from a veteran who is taken care of goes a long way.
Our military spending should be AT LEAST 2% of GDP, and more closer to 3% because we have lagged far behind for far too long.
Troop numbers and equipment should also be tripled. There should be massive recruitment drives, and if that fails, then limited conscription should be considered.
The world is becoming ever more unstable. We need to be able to at least defend ourselves reasonably in case of an invasion.
The Government has sapped the morale, education, and desire to join and fulfill the required minimum number of future replacement Operators of military Equipment - especially knowing that they have to pay for their own Kit and are left to defend themselves without Government support when 'Discharged'. Even Sheep know when they are getting fleeced by the Golden Glove...
Bobblehead Blair, ever the opportunist, JT likely won’t survive a leadership review, so he’s talking tough and strutting around like he’s the leadership alternative. It’s all about him. Soon other rats will start positioning themselves to jump the NDP-Liberal Coalition sinking ship. Blair likes to hear himself talk, that’s all.
Close but not exactly correct. Talking with many of the reservist Vets, coming back from deployment, they were told their jobs are protected until they return. In the mean time civilians have decided to fill the positions in their absence. When they come back they are allowed to return to their new job, and on more then one occasion asked by managers if this will be a regular thing. If the civilians get the unwanted answer the reservist;s days are numbered with no recourse as some issue for their termination will be found. Alliteratively as was my experience in over 43 jobs and hundreds of job interviews, if you state you are a member of the CAF reserve, then you don;t get the job when fully qualified or offer a lower position that cn be filled by a civilian. , And now with this no scab law that was passed reservist are SCREWED!! Thank You Trudeau , hope the next military parade, present arms with bayonets does not help end your political career!!!
Procurement is, and always has been, broken. DND doesn't buy its own stuff, it has to go through government. Government has become so inept that Government policy regarding procurement is preventing the Government from implementing its own Defense policy. Ten years to buy a frigging pistol.
Wasn't so long ago DND shouted on rooftops that its number one priority was culture change. That's from the Minister's mouth, marching orders from the PM. How's that working out for readiness?
Been out sence 2017, medical release after 35 years.
When we left kandahar in 2011, we sent bashed out junk home. I didn't notice any race to replace it .
Not working one reason NO proud in your Country what a Shame for All the Fallen Don't Remember That Lost . Easy Living PEOPLE to forget What Hard times are So So Out of Touch When love ones start to die from losing what a Canadian is and Was What a Shameful day that will be Already here Tic Toc Alarms bells ringing be the Nation We Are Take care All ONE Foundation Or Nothing
Before I left, I had nothing but contempt for the Canadian forces in 2020. They made it very clear that they did not want male pale and stale. What a truly criminal organization they've become.
This is understandable, being defended by the United States with no enemies anywhere near Canada's shores... Canada does OK considering 30 million people live there.
When I was 21, I was working as a mechanic and I aspired for more in my life. I tried to enrol in the CAF. I thought I would get a chance of becoming a aircraft or tank technician. I made the mistake of being honest and admitted I had tried magic mushrooms once in my youth, they denied my application, the officer seemed disappointed because he was exited to have someone motivated enrol. Seing the state of everything right now, telling the truth was probably the best thing that ever happened to me.
Bill Blair, the face of a day drinker.
heres an idea! pay me more! as a private i make like 115 a day, and a days work could be 12 hours... making less then 5 dollars an hour at that point. why would anyone wanna serve their country for that little of money? you cant even afford to live off that.
I don’t see why the CAF shouldn’t be recruiting people from FVEY nations.
Didn't the liberals cut or trying to cut $1 billion dollars from their military budget but sent $3billion to Ukraine? We need more tax??? 😂
I know everybody’s been freaking out about how much money the government is spending, but we need a military capable of defending Canada and its citizens, I want me and my family to feel and be safe in our own country from foreign threats. And if my taxes go up significantly to resolve this issue then, so be it, this one’s not negotiable.
The forces have been broken for years. My dad told me before he died that Canada would become a neutral country like Switzerland in 5 years & that was back in 2005