Canada's military priorities: more troops, closer relations with U.S.

[tuvor]

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor says his vision for the Canadian Armed Forces is for more troops in the ranks and closer ties with the United States.

The Conservatives made a long list of promises to the military during the election campaign. But O'Connor says the new government's defence policy can be summed up in a few words.

"It's about having a three-ocean navy, a robust army and a revitalized air force," he said in Ottawa on Thursday. "Increasing the strength of the Canadian Forces to at least 75,000 regular force personnel is a clear priority. We will also intend to increase the reserve force by 10,000."

Under this plan Canada will eventually have more than 100,000 full-time and part-time soldiers.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/02/23/defence060223.html

[ClusterFreak]

1. Not surprising to hear this really.

But what does 'closer ties' with the States mean? We've already heard Doris Day say the subject of a national Canadian ID card 'came up' in a meeting (phone conversation?) with Chertoff(or some high ranking fuck). "Came up", huh? As in "I want you guys up in Canada to do this 'came up'"???

[Bassic]

6. I don't think that's going to fly though.

At least not until they can get Karl Rove to work for the cons and hammer us all to idiocy.

[bif]

2. Hopefully, Bush won't pressure Canada

On the whole Star Wars thing. He'd love nothing better than to have Canada help pay for it and put missiles on Canadian soi.

[Spazito]

3. Hmmm, if his intention is to 'get closer to the US" using our armed

forces in bush's 'wars', enlistment will go down very quickly, imo.

[CHIMO]

4. A Little Bit

More than that.

As I remember my history it was our military that was fed up with being cannon fodder and wanted more independence. So expect to see the military becoming more strident in being ourselves.

As much as these political characters love a corporate dictatorial rule, our military won't like it very much.

[Canuck55]

5. Meh, we knew this was coming.

Regardless if it went majority or minority this was an obvious consequence. Hug that fucking lame duck tight Steve-O.

[MrPrax]

7. The contractors...

and the various military vermin are licking their lips over the payday--

NICE deal--all those ridiculous cuts to 'paydown' the Debt in the 90s will now be spent on MORE military...

For the record, Canada's mil spending has actually gone up over 100% since the end of the cold war actually...contrary to Tory and Liberal liars.

[HuffleClaw]

8. erm, how about properly funding the military we have NOW

you neocon wannabe's. good god on a crumpet, they are soooo clueless. and just what the fuck does 'closer ties with the US' mean exactly? that won't make the bloq happy one little bit, no matter their intent, so it won't work.

[Posteritatis]

9. Well, one of those I'd like to see happen... (n/t)

[PM Martin]

10. Well, I warned you this would happen if you voted the Tories in.

Let Canada be Canada.