Weekly Roll Up of CAF/Veteran/Invictus News - 10 April
MND
A high-ranking cabinet minister says he was not concerned about allegations China interfered in the Toronto Liberal nomination race because Canada's spy agency could not back up the claims. Intelligence isn't necessarily factual evidence of what took place, former public safety minister Bill Blair, now the defence minister, told the foreign interference inquiry Wednesday. Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue's inquiry is investigating claims that China and others meddled in Canada's past two elections. She is also assessing the flow of information within government related to alleged meddling in the previous two federal elections.
Canada's spy agency saw low-level Chinese meddling activities in 2019 election: Gould (msn.com)
… Dong left the Liberal caucus last year following media reports of allegations that he willingly participated in Chinese meddling and won his seat in 2019 with Beijing’s help — a claim he denies. Bill Blair was told about the irregularities after the election in his role as public safety minister at the time, but Blair said in a classified interview with the commission that he "was not concerned." During public hearings Wednesday, Blair said security officials had no additional supporting information. "They indicated to me that they did not, at that time, have other corroborating evidence in any way to substantiate that." Blair, now defence minister, also told the inquiry CSIS did not indicate that Dong had any knowledge of the irregularities. He trusted the spy agency to take the appropriate action, he said.
CAF | DND
No money for housing at CFB Esquimalt until 2026 - Squamish Chief
Canada’s newly announced multi-billion-dollar military spending plan is missing the mark on housing, says a former adviser to Maritime Forces Pacific headquarters in Esquimalt. New money for future housing development at CFB Esquimalt or any other military base in Canada won’t be available until 2026, according to the country’s latest $8.1-billion defence spending plan released on Monday. Just $1 million of that $8.1 billion will go toward housing in the 2026-27 financial year. That figure doubles twice in the next two years, to a total of $7 million by 2029.
Canada pledges billions in new defence spending, but doesn't reach NATO's 2% commitment | CBC News
Two years after being ordered on an urgent basis, a new defence policy for Canada that promises to bolster the military's surveillance and combat capabilities in the Arctic was unveiled Monday. The strategy promises to deliver new equipment, including airborne early warning aircraft (AWACs), long-range surface-to-surface missiles for the army and utility helicopters that may or may not be manned.
New defence spending will still leave Canada $6B to $7B short of NATO target, Blair says | CBC News
Even if Canada reaches its defence spending targets by the end of the decade, it would still be "$6 billion to $7 billion" short of NATO's two per cent of GDP benchmark for member nations, says Defence Minister Bill Blair. The federal government's new national defence strategy, released Monday, pledged an increase in military spending of $8.1 billion over the next five years — which would move the needle on the country's investment in defence from 1.33 per cent of the gross domestic product to 1.76 per cent.
CTV News Channel LIVE | CTV News
… The future of Canada's military includes billions of dollars in new spending on new capabilities, but the long-awaited defence policy update released Monday does not include a plan to reach NATO's spending target. The federal government says the plan, which includes new submarines, long-range missiles and early-warning aircraft, will boost military spending to 1.76 per cent of GDP by 2030. That includes setting aside another $8.1 billion over the next five years and spending $73 billion by 2044.
Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence - Canada.ca
This is a link to the defence plan released on Monday April 8.
Canada will buy a new fleet of early warning aircraft as well as helicopters and missiles as part of a boost by the Liberal government to the country’s defence capabilities. The Liberal government released its long-awaited defence policy update on Monday, promising to increase the military’s annual budget from the current $30 billion to almost $50 billion by the end of the decade.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is exploring the possibility of joining the second phase of AUKUS, a U.S.-led alliance with the United Kingdom and Australia. The initial pillar of the alliance, forged in 2021, was focused on developing nuclear-powered submarines for Australia. Trudeau says Canada will consider whether it needs to purchase nuclear-powered submarines to better ensure it can defend Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.
The U.S. ambassador to Canada is cutting Ottawa some slack on meeting NATO's benchmark for defence spending.Speaking Friday at a panel at the Canadian War Museum marking the 75th anniversary of NATO's formation, Ambassador David Cohen said the United States takes "a broader view" that goes beyond the alliance's military spending target for member nations — two per cent of national gross domestic product. "We choose to look at Canada's overall commitment to defence," Cohen said. "We do look at the percentage of GDP that is spent on defence but we look at a wide range of other factors."
Trudeau late to fix ‘years of neglect’ of military: CPC members | Belleville Intelligencer
Not everyone is convinced a new defence policy rolled out by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair Monday at 8 Wing Trenton will bring about real change in Canada’s military any time soon. … Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams told The Intelligencer Tuesday he welcomes upgrades to Canada’s military. But, he isn’t putting much stock in the latest Liberal promises while past project announcements for 8 Wing continue to bubble away on the backburner. Williams said, “it’s good to see 8-Wing at the centre for another announcement as this base and its men and women are incredibly important to the Canadian military. But again, these announcements are met with skepticism. When will the 50 homes for our military [at 8 Wing] that were promised over three years ago be built? When will the $415 million Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit announced two years ago be started?”
Public comments on the official social media account of Canada’s top soldier have been blocked by the military because of the nasty remarks being made about the general as well as government policies. The move was made in January after Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre faced an increase in negative comments about his alleged poor leadership and his decision to bring in what some describe as the Liberal government’s “woke” agenda.
VAC
Coming into effect on April 1, 2024, “further planned changes” to the 2019 Pension For Life (PFL) Legislation regarding Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) benefits were implemented. “These changes may impact the benefits and service delivery to CAF members releasing for medical reasons where the health problem does not result primarily from service. For this reason, it is important that all affected CAF members understand the upcoming changes,” stated the CANFORGEN 034/24.
RICK HILLIER
Op-ed: Ideology masking as leadership killed the Canadian dream | National Post
“This is not Canada,” is a phrase we hear far too often. It seems to come from every politician, from all levels. It’s exclaimed after every illegal demonstration, hate crime, blocked street, gang shooting, home invasion, car theft and emergency room horror story. Those exclamations ring hollow as food bank lines stretch longer and as hopeless thousand-yard stares of good men and women grow more prevalent. While dreams of home ownership fade, shantytowns grow and our confidence in the future plummets. We hear the official inflation rate, but it bears little resemblance to our real-life experience. “This is not Canada” grates, harshly, especially when it comes from those who seem so out of touch with reality.
NATO
NATO at 75: Is Canada losing its grip on the world's greatest military alliance? | CBC News
Inarguably bigger and more seasoned than it was when it was born from the ashes of the Second World War, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — the West's great military alliance — celebrated a milestone Thursday: three-quarters of a century of keeping the peace in Europe. NATO formally came into being with the signing of the Washington Treaty in the U.S. capital 75 years ago, when 12 western democracies — including Canada — banded together against what they saw as Soviet Russia's expansionism in Europe. … Canada was one of the founding members of NATO and pushed at the time to make it a political and economic forum as well as a military alliance. But while Canada still contributes to and plays important roles within NATO, Ottawa has appeared increasingly off-side with its NATO allies on the political and policy issues of defence spending and preparation.
REMEMBRANCE | COMMEMORATION
Long-delayed tomb arrives at N.L. cenotaph in preparation for unknown soldier | CBC News
The refurbishment of the century-old Newfoundland National War Memorial in St. John's has taken an important step with the arrival of a portion of a tomb that will become the final resting place of an unknown First World War soldier on July 1. The 3,600-kilogram sarcophagus was made by Nova Scotia-based Heritage Memorials, and was delicately lowed into place at the base of the war memorial on Tuesday morning. … The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the centrepiece of the refurbishment project, which is being overseen by the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, and will be only the second of its kind in Canada. The original contract for the tomb was controversially stripped from a Bishop's Falls company last year, and Heritage Memorials was then awarded the contract, but at more than twice the cost, or nearly $240,000.
Teen follows in fallen WW1 vet's footsteps and travels to Vimy Ridge - Village Report
When 17-year-old Cambridge student Ali Naseer was selected to participate in the Pilgrimage to Vimy Ridge, he never thought that he would have a close connection to a fallen soldier. While choosing a soldier to write a report about, he found one from his side of town and started his research. "I found this soldier and he seemed like he was roughly my age when he passed away in combat and he was from my part of town," said Naseer. "One of the craziest things I found out is that before he left for war he lived on the next street over from me."
Royal Regina Rifles unveil statue to honour D-Day troops (aptnnews.ca)
The Royal Regina Rifles is scheduled to unveil a statue to honour troops who landed on the beaches at Normandy, France on D-Day. The statue, which will be on display starting April 6 at the legislative building in Regina, will eventually make its way to the former battlefield for the 80th anniversary of the attack. The three metre statue commemorates all those who fought with the regiment on June 6, 1944. That includes nearly a quarter of the regiment who came from Peepeekisis First Nation, 350 km southeast of Saskatoon.
104-year-old Sask. Second World War vet to be honoured by French ambassador | 980 CJME
A Saskatoon veteran is to be recognized Saturday in Regina for his service in the Second World War. Nick Kazuska, 104, is to be presented with the French Legion of Honour Medal by Michel Miraillet, France’s ambassador to Canada. Kazuska is being honoured for his contribution to the liberation of France.
Statue honouring Sask. war veterans' bravery on D-Day viewed in Regina | CBC News
A viewing of an eight-foot tall bronze statue was held at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina on Saturday. It was made to commemorate the sacrifices of Saskatchewan soldiers and their role in the pivotal D-Day invasion during World War II. Nearly 80 years ago, on June 6, 1944, more than 14,000 Canadian soldiers landed or parachuted into France as part of the famous invasion — including the Royal Regina Rifles. "It's very moving. It's something that has stuck with me," Ed Staniowski, the former commanding officer of the Canadian Armed Forces' Royal Regina Rifles, said of seeing the statue.
Cameron Highlanders Regiment marches in memory of Battle of Vimy Ridge (msn.com)
Ottawa’s own Cameron Highlanders were on the march Saturday for the annual memorial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The First World War battle in April 1917 is regarded by many historians and writers as a defining moment for Canada. … The Regiment serves as Ottawa’s official regiment, providing ceremonial guides of honour for visiting dignitaries, national ceremonies and other events. Ottawa philanthropist Barbara Farber, honorary lieutenant-colonel of the Cameron Highlanders regiment, led the march on Saturday.
Quebec architects threaten to sue over Afghanistan war monument | CBC.ca
The group of Quebec architects that was first selected and then rejected to build Canada's national monument to Afghan mission veterans is threatening to sue the government if they aren't given the full contract.
Exhibit celebrates the largest PoW escape effort of the Second World War. | CBC.ca
VIDEO: The Military Museums in Calgary are retelling the incredible tale of the Great Escape, one of the most famous examples of ingenuity and determination of the Second World War.
Mayor Alex Nuttall unveiled a logo and website Wednesday showing how the city will honour its many connections to the Canadian Military. Inside Barrie City Hall Rotunda and out of the pouring rain, Nuttall went through the list of events — from marking D-Day on June 6, the Barrie Airshow later that month, and a century of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11 and VE (Victory in Europe) Day in May. … Barrie’s new logo says ‘Honouring Our Canadian Armed Forces, Remembrance-Respect-Gratitude’.
'Worth having': Barrie Airshow to take another summer flight - Bradford News (bradfordtoday.ca)
Barrie Airshow will take to the skies above Kempenfelt Bay this summer. The 2024 show will be part of Canada’s Military heritage celebrations, including the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Barrie city council has approved an $180,000 budget to deliver the airshow, with as much as $110,000 from the tourism reserve and the remaining $70,000 raised through sponsorship.