The issue of how Canadians feel about so-called defence spending is being presented in polling and mainstream media without context and alternatives. First of all, Canada does not do defence: it does military. What kind of defence was involved in Canada's role in Afghanistan, which was propping up a correct government? NATO's record is abominable: creating a failed state in Libya, bombing civilians in the former Yogoslavia, adopting a first nuclear strike doctrine, etc. Second, Canada's needs for water bomber aircraft and search aircraft are far more relevant than fighter bombers. Moreover, the notion that fighter jets can protect us from an American invasion or any other is laughable. Canada should be investing in a public telecom based on fibre optics across the country and especailly in underserved regions (rural, Indigenous) as an alternative to using Musk's inferior Sky Net. People need to be presented with meaningful alternatives. Public investment is real defence.
Thanks Steve for this piece. Living back here in the U.S., questioning military spending or, for that matter, discussing foreign policy, is far more challenging than in Canada and I am indeed starting to wonder if peaceniks like myself are a dying breed. I like your approach, which is to not to approach it in the abstract but to break it down, and focus on what folks really want in terms of government services and "entitlements". I have always maintained that both Americans and Canadians would be shocked to learn just how much money is spent on the military (compared to essential services) but there is no education or media attention on military spending beyond abstract high-level percentages of the GDP or dollar figures that by themselves don't mean much to the average voter.
I am against spending a penny on military forces. Let's follow the example of Costa Rica and spend money instead on health, housing, education and the arts. How come you didn't list "no military budge" as a choice of your supporters? What good do you seen in military spending? Martin D.
The issue of how Canadians feel about so-called defence spending is being presented in polling and mainstream media without context and alternatives. First of all, Canada does not do defence: it does military. What kind of defence was involved in Canada's role in Afghanistan, which was propping up a correct government? NATO's record is abominable: creating a failed state in Libya, bombing civilians in the former Yogoslavia, adopting a first nuclear strike doctrine, etc. Second, Canada's needs for water bomber aircraft and search aircraft are far more relevant than fighter bombers. Moreover, the notion that fighter jets can protect us from an American invasion or any other is laughable. Canada should be investing in a public telecom based on fibre optics across the country and especailly in underserved regions (rural, Indigenous) as an alternative to using Musk's inferior Sky Net. People need to be presented with meaningful alternatives. Public investment is real defence.
We seem to be on a runaway train, but it is still good to be pulling on the brakes as hard as we can.
Thanks Steve for this piece. Living back here in the U.S., questioning military spending or, for that matter, discussing foreign policy, is far more challenging than in Canada and I am indeed starting to wonder if peaceniks like myself are a dying breed. I like your approach, which is to not to approach it in the abstract but to break it down, and focus on what folks really want in terms of government services and "entitlements". I have always maintained that both Americans and Canadians would be shocked to learn just how much money is spent on the military (compared to essential services) but there is no education or media attention on military spending beyond abstract high-level percentages of the GDP or dollar figures that by themselves don't mean much to the average voter.
I am against spending a penny on military forces. Let's follow the example of Costa Rica and spend money instead on health, housing, education and the arts. How come you didn't list "no military budge" as a choice of your supporters? What good do you seen in military spending? Martin D.