Answers needed on Canada’s fighter jet replacement
Yesterday, the auditor general released his report on the process to procure new fighter aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The current fleet of 76 operational CF-18 fighter aircraft perform a range of tasks that are essential for Canada’s defence. They monitor and protect Canadian airspace against potential threats. They contribute to the […]
Sajjan says progress made to diversify Canadian military, but work must continue
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says the Canadian military is “making progress” when it comes to recruiting women, something his government and senior military leaders have emphasized as part of a new defence policy. Mr. Sajjan (Vancouver South, B.C.), who was a speaker at the Halifax International Security Forum last weekend, said in an email Q&A interview […]
Canada working to close the gender gap for women in peace operations
One year ago, Canada hosted the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial in Vancouver, where 80 UN member states and five international organizations came together to discuss how we can do peacekeeping better and differently. As we mark the one-year anniversary of this important summit, now is an important time to reflect upon the progress we’ve […]
Women’s rights: we still have far to go
OTTAWA—After hockey the other night, one of my fellow old-timers complained about the demand for gender equality on boards of directors. He pointed out his organization is composed of engineers, and given directors are normally fairly senior people, they would have to be drawn from people who graduated a few decades ago. However, he noted […]
Security and Intelligence Committee members should be more actively monitored in wake of Clement scandal: Green Party leader
A national security expert and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May say that in the wake of former Conservative MP Tony Clement’s sexting scandal, members of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, of which he was a member, should submit to having their online activity, including their private social media exchanges such as direct […]
Bill C-59 empowers our national security agencies by respecting our rights and freedoms
Debate on Bill C-59, the National Security Act, has begun in the Senate, and the position of its opposition critics is already clear: Bill C-59 will weaken national security. They make two general claims. First, that the new system of oversight and review will impose a burden on our intelligence and security agencies and do […]
Procurement update: fighter jet replacement still a problem for feds, say experts, auditor general
The plan to replace Canada’s aging fleet of fighter jets has been a failing of both the Harper and Trudeau governments, say defence procurement observers. And, according to the federal auditor general, even if the planes are purchased, it will be tough to get them off the ground without enough pilots. “Successive governments haven’t really […]
Pulling out of Mali in July could leave UN in ‘lurch,’ says peacekeeping expert
With the federal government doubling down on its commitment to leave the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali next summer, a Canadian peacekeeping observer says Canada is undermining the UN by withdrawing from its post in Mali before a replacement is deployed. Since the beginning of August, about 250 Canadian soldiers have been stationed in […]
Open CAF to non-citizens, be flexible in personnel structure to help reach diversity goals, experts say
Opening up the military to non-citizens, providing more flexibility with work locales, and offering new outreach programs to get young people to consider a military career are ways to increase recruitment among marginalized groups, experts say. The Liberal government and senior military officials have made diversifying the ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces a key […]
Budget bill’s Copyright Act changes undermine committee’s ongoing review, say critics
The Liberals’ decision to include changes to the Copyright Act in the year’s second budget implementation bill has effectively “castrated” the ongoing statutory review of the law, says NDP MP Brian Masse, vice-chair of one of the two committees engaged in the study. Bill C-86, clocking in at 854 pages, includes changes to intellectual property […]
