http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/news/story.html?id=58836c30-452a-4058-b3ee-4224d48d0c60

Planners told to prepare for expanded military

David Pugliese

CanWest News Service
August 17, 2004

OTTAWA-- Defence planners have been told to push ahead with a scheme to add 5,000 troops to the ranks of the Canadian Forces and are now working on options to present to government on how to expand the military, says a senior adviser to Prime Minister Paul Martin.

The boost in the overall strength of the military could give a much-needed break to soldiers already serving in the ranks, but some analysts question where the money and personnel will come from to fuel the expansion.

The Liberals made the promise during the election to increase the number of troops by 5,000. "There is no question that the core commitment of an increase in the Forces to the tune of 5,000 will be upheld," said Scott Reid, a senior adviser in the Prime Minister's Office.

He noted defence officials are working on various options which will be presented to cabinet by Defence Minister Bill Graham. Reid said those could include increasing the number of troops in existing units, creating a new brigade or establishing a specialized formation devoted to peacekeeping.

"The minister of defence is tasked with bringing forth to cabinet how best to proceed, over what time period, the cost options, and so on," Reid added. "It would be unfairly restrictive to the minister to suggest it will be this or it will be that."

During the election there was also a commitment to increase the army reserves to 18,500 from 15,500. The government acknowledged it would like to make more use of the reserves, not only to deal with domestic emergencies such as forest fires and other natural disasters but also on overseas missions.

That increase in reserve force ranks had been made by former defence minister John McCallum but since there was not enough money to cover the salaries of new recruits, military officials did not proceed.

Various defence ministers have noted that Canadian soldiers need a break from overseas missions so they can spend more time training and with their families. That acknowledgement hasn't stopped the government from continuing to commit them to operations. Canadian troops just came back from Haiti while a new contingent has been shipped out to Afghanistan.

During the election the Liberal campaign promise of boosting the military by 5,000 noted that such an increase would significantly increase Canada's ability to participate in missions and allow the Canadian Forces to play a greater role in bringing security to troubled nations.

Canada has a regular force of about 60,000.

Defence analyst and retired colonel Howie Marsh said he believes it will take at least a decade before the Canadian Forces can boost its ranks by 5,000. That's because over the next six years it faces an exodus of experienced personnel who will reach early retirement, noted Marsh, a senior analyst with the pro-military lobby group, the Conference of Defence Associations.

In addition, the military's existing training is not capable of handling a large influx of new recruits, he said. Troops who should be instructing new soldiers are finding themselves shipped off to overseas missions, he added.

"I don't think much can happen before 2012," said Marsh. "A fully manned and equipped fourth brigade by 2020 is a realistic goal."

Other analysts have warned the funding needed to pay for the proposed increase in troop strength could come out of the military's existing budget -- a move that would hurt plans to buy new equipment.

"...some analysts question where the money and personnel will come from to fuel the expansion...Other analysts have warned the funding needed to pay for the proposed increase in troop strength could come out of the military's existing budget -- a move that would hurt plans to buy new equipment..."

you know, like helicopters that can't carry troops, or submarines that sink.

"During the election there was also a commitment to increase the army reserves to 18,500 from 15,500...but since there was not enough money...military officials did not proceed."

one promise broken already

"...the Liberal campaign promise of boosting the military by 5,000 noted that such an increase would significantly increase Canada's...Forces to play a greater role in bringing security to troubled nations."

'peacekeeping' again.

"Canada has a regular force of about 60,000."

no, my American friends, that is not a typo. We have around 60,00 - 65,00 full-time pers in our entire Army, Navy, and Air Force. That's what, about the same number in your Ranger Regt?

WOW! You guys are already handing over equipment to others that are going into theater. WTF are they thinking? Canada needs to get someone into office that supports the military.

I feel for you PC, I really do.

"Oh bother," mumbles Pooh as he chambers another round.

CR6 to Cherokeekate - Another poser busted.  One shot one kill should be YOUR motto.  Or is it MOS?

"Defence analyst and retired colonel Howie Marsh said he believes it will take at least a decade before the Canadian Forces can boost its ranks by 5,000."

10 years to increase by only 5,000 troops????  LOL!!!!  Damn, that is pitifull.

There are almost as many Army Soldiers at Ft. Bragg than numbers of service members in the entire Canadian Armed Forces.

http://www.bragg.army.mil/18abn/default.htm

"Oh bother," mumbles Pooh as he chambers another round.

CR6 to Cherokeekate - Another poser busted.  One shot one kill should be YOUR motto.  Or is it MOS?

PM's brigade for peace imperils navy, air force:

http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/news/story.html?id=a991133d-c408-4627-ae69-4db95d4ff50c

OTTAWA -- The Canadian Armed Forces are considering scrapping navy destroyers and air force fighter jets to pay for what they believe was an ill-considered campaign promise by Prime Minister Paul Martin to create a new brigade of 5,000 peacekeepers...

Senior Defence Department planners presented Defence Minister Bill Graham with a doomsday scenario this week that called for grounding one-quarter of Canada's CF-18 fighter jets and mothballing the navy's three active destroyers.

Senior military officials say they have no choice because Martin has not earmarked new money for the Forces...

Martin backed away from conducting a broad review of Canada's defence policy, as he promised when he was sworn in as prime minister in December. Graham announced last month that there would be no formal defence policy review, just an "in-house" examination that would have no public consultation.

Defence analysts say Martin's actions show he is not interested in revitalizing the Forces...

"The government doesn't seem to want defence as an issue in the future," said Alain Pellerin, the executive director of the Conference of Defence Associations, the military's largest lobby group. "It's disappointing to see how it all turned out because there have been so many promises."...

Defence officials say the Forces are already running a $1-billion annual deficit to pay for current operations. Adding a new brigade would cost $2.5 billion in startup costs, and an additional $400 million to $500 million a year to sustain.

With no additional money, the new brigade has to be financed out of the current $13-billion annual budget...

The plan to ground 20 of Canada's 80 CF-18 fighter jets will not sit well with the United States, which expects Canada to make a meaningful contribution to North American air defences following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said Shadwick.