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This came from the website of Belinda Stronach, who is campaining for the PC Prime Minister candidate.
Backgrounder - Canada‘s Place in the World
http://belinda.ca/Belinda/english/mediarelease_mar2_backgrounder.shtml
REBUILDING CANADA'S MILITARY
The Canadian military has been plagued by years of under-funding and spending cuts. While Paul Martin was Finance Minister, military spending was cut from $12 billion in 1993-94 to $9.3 billion in 1998-99, a decrease of over 20 per cent.
In 2002-03, the Canadian military budget was $11.8 billion. This was approximately $395 in per capita military spending in comparison to $1,425 per capita in the United Kingdom. In terms of 2002 military spending as a percentage of GDP, Canada ranked 17 out of 19 NATO members at 1.2 per cent, one position above Luxembourg.
Although Canada has the world's 34th largest population, it has the 56th largest regular military force and the 77th largest military reserves.
In its February 2002 report, â Å“Canadian Security and Military Preparednessâ ?, the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence concluded the current level of funding for the Department of National Defence was insufficient to fulfill the many tasks assigned to the military. The Committee recommended an immediate budget increase of $4 billion to sustain current operations; increase the number of Canadian Forces personnel; increase training and capacity for new types of operations; and address the continuing â Å“rust-outâ ? of equipment.
In its October 2002 report, â Å“A Nation At Risk: The Decline of the Canadian Forces.â ? the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) identified problems common to all three armed services including: inadequate funding; large budget allocations not available for spending on military capabilities; a shortage of personnel; a shortage of spare parts and other supplies; â Å“rusting outâ ? equipment; and decaying infrastructure on military bases. The study indicated that aircraft holdings had dropped from 700 to 300 over the past decade. It also noted that there is a severe shortage of spare parts and skilled technical people to maintain new equipment in the Army, which could result in 40 to 50 per cent of army weapons and vehicles being grounded. The CDA recommended that the military budget be increased immediately by $1.5 billion annually.
As part of her plan to rebuild the military, Belinda Stronach would increase military funding by at least $1 billion each year to reach and maintain funding at 2 per cent of Canada's GDP.
REBUILDING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES
Canada's economic livelihood depends on an open and secure Canada-United States (U.S.) border. In 2003, over $500 billion in trade crossed the Canada-U.S. border â “ almost $2 billion in trade every day. With 87 per cent of Canada's exports destined to the U.S., there are approximately 2 million Canadian jobs that rely on the free flow of goods across the Canada-U.S. border.
The federal Liberal government has jeopardized relations with Canada's largest trading partner and closest ally. Due to perceived inadequate security measures in Canada, U.S. security concerns have led to severe border clampdowns during heightened levels of alert since September 11, 2001. Border delays that result in production down time can cost a vehicle assembler up to $1.5 million per hour.
As part of her plan to rebuild Canada-U.S. relations and secure Canada's competitiveness, Belinda Stronach would place Canada inside an integrated North American security perimeter. The security perimeter would provide:
Enhanced security at points of departure to North America;
Enhanced security at points of entry to North America;
Focused domestic security measures; and
Enhanced security at the Canada-U.S. border
Belinda Stronach would build a cooperative relationship with the U.S. in which commitments are honoured and political differences are communicated in a respectful way.
SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD
As of January 31, 2004, Canada had 231 personnel serving in United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping missions, including 193 troops, 24 civilian police and 14 military observers. Canada is also currently providing another 1,900 personnel as part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
At less than 1 per cent of the total 48,590 U.N. peacekeepers from 94 countries, Canada's contribution was smaller than other industrialized countries like the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia.
In a 2003 report, the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre concluded that the current military funding in Canada is inadequate to meet peacekeeping needs. The Centre also suggested that the cumulative under-investment in Canada's foreign policy through the Department of National Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Canadian International Development Agency has led to a decline in Canada's reputation and influence as a peacekeeping nation.
As part of her plan to support democracy around the world, Belinda Stronach would re-establish Canada's leadership role in peacekeeping operations around the world. The plan would also focus on sharing Canadian expertise to help fledgling democracies establish themselves more successfully.
Backgrounder - Canada‘s Place in the World
http://belinda.ca/Belinda/english/mediarelease_mar2_backgrounder.shtml
REBUILDING CANADA'S MILITARY
The Canadian military has been plagued by years of under-funding and spending cuts. While Paul Martin was Finance Minister, military spending was cut from $12 billion in 1993-94 to $9.3 billion in 1998-99, a decrease of over 20 per cent.
In 2002-03, the Canadian military budget was $11.8 billion. This was approximately $395 in per capita military spending in comparison to $1,425 per capita in the United Kingdom. In terms of 2002 military spending as a percentage of GDP, Canada ranked 17 out of 19 NATO members at 1.2 per cent, one position above Luxembourg.
Although Canada has the world's 34th largest population, it has the 56th largest regular military force and the 77th largest military reserves.
In its February 2002 report, â Å“Canadian Security and Military Preparednessâ ?, the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence concluded the current level of funding for the Department of National Defence was insufficient to fulfill the many tasks assigned to the military. The Committee recommended an immediate budget increase of $4 billion to sustain current operations; increase the number of Canadian Forces personnel; increase training and capacity for new types of operations; and address the continuing â Å“rust-outâ ? of equipment.
In its October 2002 report, â Å“A Nation At Risk: The Decline of the Canadian Forces.â ? the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) identified problems common to all three armed services including: inadequate funding; large budget allocations not available for spending on military capabilities; a shortage of personnel; a shortage of spare parts and other supplies; â Å“rusting outâ ? equipment; and decaying infrastructure on military bases. The study indicated that aircraft holdings had dropped from 700 to 300 over the past decade. It also noted that there is a severe shortage of spare parts and skilled technical people to maintain new equipment in the Army, which could result in 40 to 50 per cent of army weapons and vehicles being grounded. The CDA recommended that the military budget be increased immediately by $1.5 billion annually.
As part of her plan to rebuild the military, Belinda Stronach would increase military funding by at least $1 billion each year to reach and maintain funding at 2 per cent of Canada's GDP.
REBUILDING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES
Canada's economic livelihood depends on an open and secure Canada-United States (U.S.) border. In 2003, over $500 billion in trade crossed the Canada-U.S. border â “ almost $2 billion in trade every day. With 87 per cent of Canada's exports destined to the U.S., there are approximately 2 million Canadian jobs that rely on the free flow of goods across the Canada-U.S. border.
The federal Liberal government has jeopardized relations with Canada's largest trading partner and closest ally. Due to perceived inadequate security measures in Canada, U.S. security concerns have led to severe border clampdowns during heightened levels of alert since September 11, 2001. Border delays that result in production down time can cost a vehicle assembler up to $1.5 million per hour.
As part of her plan to rebuild Canada-U.S. relations and secure Canada's competitiveness, Belinda Stronach would place Canada inside an integrated North American security perimeter. The security perimeter would provide:
Enhanced security at points of departure to North America;
Enhanced security at points of entry to North America;
Focused domestic security measures; and
Enhanced security at the Canada-U.S. border
Belinda Stronach would build a cooperative relationship with the U.S. in which commitments are honoured and political differences are communicated in a respectful way.
SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD
As of January 31, 2004, Canada had 231 personnel serving in United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping missions, including 193 troops, 24 civilian police and 14 military observers. Canada is also currently providing another 1,900 personnel as part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
At less than 1 per cent of the total 48,590 U.N. peacekeepers from 94 countries, Canada's contribution was smaller than other industrialized countries like the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia.
In a 2003 report, the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre concluded that the current military funding in Canada is inadequate to meet peacekeeping needs. The Centre also suggested that the cumulative under-investment in Canada's foreign policy through the Department of National Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Canadian International Development Agency has led to a decline in Canada's reputation and influence as a peacekeeping nation.
As part of her plan to support democracy around the world, Belinda Stronach would re-establish Canada's leadership role in peacekeeping operations around the world. The plan would also focus on sharing Canadian expertise to help fledgling democracies establish themselves more successfully.
