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Scott Taylor

Scott Taylor is editor and publisher of Esprit de Corps magazine.

The hits keep coming for the CAF

  • If soldiers do know what the Nazi salute symbolizes and do it anyway, then they have no business wearing a Canadian uniform.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 25, 2025
Due to alleged soldier misconduct, Canada’s military has received three black eyes in rapid succession, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Brian Lindgren

The hits keep coming for the CAF

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 25, 2025
  • If soldiers do know what the Nazi salute symbolizes and do it anyway, then they have no business wearing a Canadian uniform.

The hits keep coming for the CAF

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 25, 2025
  • If soldiers do know what the Nazi salute symbolizes and do it anyway, then they have no business wearing a Canadian uniform.
Due to alleged soldier misconduct, Canada’s military has received three black eyes in rapid succession, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Brian Lindgren

The case for making national service mandatory

  • If one-year military engagements were part of a mandatory youth national service program, there would be a steady flow of new recruits for the
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 18, 2025
A 12-month stint of required youth service with the military could be a much-enhanced version of the current Naval Experience Program, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Braden Trudeau

The case for making national service mandatory

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 18, 2025
  • If one-year military engagements were part of a mandatory youth national service program, there would be a steady flow of new recruits for the

The case for making national service mandatory

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 18, 2025
  • If one-year military engagements were part of a mandatory youth national service program, there would be a steady flow of new recruits for the
A 12-month stint of required youth service with the military could be a much-enhanced version of the current Naval Experience Program, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Braden Trudeau

It’s time to strike back at Trump’s tactics

  • Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed whacked Canada with a whopping trade tariff, perhaps it's time to make sure that economic pain
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 11, 2025
There are downsides to cancelling the remainder of the F-35 purchase and operating a mixed fighter fleet into the future, but the savings may balance out, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo Sr.

It’s time to strike back at Trump’s tactics

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 11, 2025
  • Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed whacked Canada with a whopping trade tariff, perhaps it's time to make sure that economic pain

It’s time to strike back at Trump’s tactics

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 11, 2025
  • Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed whacked Canada with a whopping trade tariff, perhaps it's time to make sure that economic pain
There are downsides to cancelling the remainder of the F-35 purchase and operating a mixed fighter fleet into the future, but the savings may balance out, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo Sr.

The Armed Forces’ selective accountability

  • Two senior officers have already been sanctioned in the early days of the Blue Hackle Mafia affair, which contrasts oddly with previous military scandals.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 4, 2025
Heads have begun to roll in the ‘Blue Hackle Mafia’ scandal, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Facebook first published by The Ottawa Citizen

The Armed Forces’ selective accountability

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 4, 2025
  • Two senior officers have already been sanctioned in the early days of the Blue Hackle Mafia affair, which contrasts oddly with previous military scandals.

The Armed Forces’ selective accountability

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 4, 2025
  • Two senior officers have already been sanctioned in the early days of the Blue Hackle Mafia affair, which contrasts oddly with previous military scandals.
Heads have begun to roll in the ‘Blue Hackle Mafia’ scandal, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Facebook first published by The Ottawa Citizen

Sniffing out alleged terrorists in the military’s ranks

  • This is exactly what the hard-pressed CAF did not need at this juncture—another bad news story to throw on the pile.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 28, 2025
The RCMP arrested four men on July 8 who were allegedly involved in activities intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Québec City area. Military-style training in which the accused took part. Photograph courtesy of the RCMP

Sniffing out alleged terrorists in the military’s ranks

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 28, 2025
  • This is exactly what the hard-pressed CAF did not need at this juncture—another bad news story to throw on the pile.

Sniffing out alleged terrorists in the military’s ranks

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 28, 2025
  • This is exactly what the hard-pressed CAF did not need at this juncture—another bad news story to throw on the pile.
The RCMP arrested four men on July 8 who were allegedly involved in activities intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Québec City area. Military-style training in which the accused took part. Photograph courtesy of the RCMP

Standing on ceremony

  • With the current state of the Canadian Armed Forces, perhaps it is time to drop the historical re-enactment duties.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 21, 2025
Members of Lord Strathcona's Horse spent 10 days as the King’s Life Guard. Using regular force and reserve combat soldiers to parade in period costume is no longer necessary, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Standing on ceremony

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 21, 2025
  • With the current state of the Canadian Armed Forces, perhaps it is time to drop the historical re-enactment duties.

Standing on ceremony

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 21, 2025
  • With the current state of the Canadian Armed Forces, perhaps it is time to drop the historical re-enactment duties.
Members of Lord Strathcona's Horse spent 10 days as the King’s Life Guard. Using regular force and reserve combat soldiers to parade in period costume is no longer necessary, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Raising hackles: why can’t the CAF help stepping on their own dicks?

  • Protecting the military’s reputation should never take priority over actually handling an issue, like that of the service members involved in a Facebook group sharing
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 14, 2025
The self-proclaimed ‘Blue Hackle Mafia’ Facebook group posted images of male soldiers in uniform exposing their genitals, others posing naked with Canadian Forces weapons, or simulating sexual acts with each other in uniform. Photograph courtesy of Facebook first published by The Ottawa Citizen

Raising hackles: why can’t the CAF help stepping on their own dicks?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 14, 2025
  • Protecting the military’s reputation should never take priority over actually handling an issue, like that of the service members involved in a Facebook group sharing

Raising hackles: why can’t the CAF help stepping on their own dicks?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 14, 2025
  • Protecting the military’s reputation should never take priority over actually handling an issue, like that of the service members involved in a Facebook group sharing
The self-proclaimed ‘Blue Hackle Mafia’ Facebook group posted images of male soldiers in uniform exposing their genitals, others posing naked with Canadian Forces weapons, or simulating sexual acts with each other in uniform. Photograph courtesy of Facebook first published by The Ottawa Citizen

Is the CAF past the point of no return?

  • Perhaps the Liberals need to do more than make promises of massive budget increases if there are too few personnel left in uniform to
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 7, 2025
Senior leadership may be accurate in assessing a seven-year window to recover the military. However, in what universe can that be considered a plan, asks Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Brendan Gamache

Is the CAF past the point of no return?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 7, 2025
  • Perhaps the Liberals need to do more than make promises of massive budget increases if there are too few personnel left in uniform to

Is the CAF past the point of no return?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 7, 2025
  • Perhaps the Liberals need to do more than make promises of massive budget increases if there are too few personnel left in uniform to
Senior leadership may be accurate in assessing a seven-year window to recover the military. However, in what universe can that be considered a plan, asks Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Brendan Gamache

Investing in critical minerals would be a win-win for Canada

  • An investment in tungsten production could benefit all of our NATO allies, allowing them to source Canadian rather than Chinese tungsten.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, with U.S. President Donald Trump at the recent G7 Summit in Alberta. Carney has indicated that defence infrastructure investment could include things like the development of Canada's critical minerals, notes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

Investing in critical minerals would be a win-win for Canada

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 30, 2025
  • An investment in tungsten production could benefit all of our NATO allies, allowing them to source Canadian rather than Chinese tungsten.

Investing in critical minerals would be a win-win for Canada

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 30, 2025
  • An investment in tungsten production could benefit all of our NATO allies, allowing them to source Canadian rather than Chinese tungsten.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, with U.S. President Donald Trump at the recent G7 Summit in Alberta. Carney has indicated that defence infrastructure investment could include things like the development of Canada's critical minerals, notes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

Time to walk the walk

  • A clear way to demonstrate to Canadians that he is not simply posturing would be for PM Mark Carney to cancel the remaining F-35 order.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2025
There's an ongoing review of Canada’s acquisition of 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen

Time to walk the walk

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2025
  • A clear way to demonstrate to Canadians that he is not simply posturing would be for PM Mark Carney to cancel the remaining F-35 order.

Time to walk the walk

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2025
  • A clear way to demonstrate to Canadians that he is not simply posturing would be for PM Mark Carney to cancel the remaining F-35 order.
There's an ongoing review of Canada’s acquisition of 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen

Carney’s CAF spending spree

  • Unfortunately, the one resource which the military is critically lacking is something that cannot be easily bought: trained personnel.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 16, 2025
A bigger paycheque may cause some existing soldiers to stick around, but simply wearing a uniform does not provide relief for the burnt-out personnel who are trades qualified, and in high demand for operations, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician

Carney’s CAF spending spree

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 16, 2025
  • Unfortunately, the one resource which the military is critically lacking is something that cannot be easily bought: trained personnel.

Carney’s CAF spending spree

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 16, 2025
  • Unfortunately, the one resource which the military is critically lacking is something that cannot be easily bought: trained personnel.
A bigger paycheque may cause some existing soldiers to stick around, but simply wearing a uniform does not provide relief for the burnt-out personnel who are trades qualified, and in high demand for operations, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician

How soon should we expect this ‘immediate’ military overhaul?

  • The defence minister said the feds will take ‘immediate and decisive action to rebuild Canada's defence capacity’—but announced nothing further.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2025
David McGuinty
David McGuinty
In Europe, Defence Minister David McGuinty backed away from the word ‘immediate,’ noting the federal government will have more to say ‘very soon’ about its plans, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How soon should we expect this ‘immediate’ military overhaul?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2025
  • The defence minister said the feds will take ‘immediate and decisive action to rebuild Canada's defence capacity’—but announced nothing further.

How soon should we expect this ‘immediate’ military overhaul?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2025
  • The defence minister said the feds will take ‘immediate and decisive action to rebuild Canada's defence capacity’—but announced nothing further.
David McGuinty
In Europe, Defence Minister David McGuinty backed away from the word ‘immediate,’ noting the federal government will have more to say ‘very soon’ about its plans, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The misadventures of Navy procurement

  • Successive governments routinely state ‘nothing is too good for our military,’ and therefore ‘nothing’ is what they get.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2025
Canadian and French helicopters sit on the flight deck of the Mistral off the coast of Gaspé, Que., on June 20, 2014. DND photograph by MCpl Patrick Blanchard

The misadventures of Navy procurement

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2025
  • Successive governments routinely state ‘nothing is too good for our military,’ and therefore ‘nothing’ is what they get.

The misadventures of Navy procurement

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2025
  • Successive governments routinely state ‘nothing is too good for our military,’ and therefore ‘nothing’ is what they get.
Canadian and French helicopters sit on the flight deck of the Mistral off the coast of Gaspé, Que., on June 20, 2014. DND photograph by MCpl Patrick Blanchard

Soldiers left out in the cold—again

  • Despite all the bluster about defending our Arctic, our military procurement system is proving incapable of providing resources durable enough for use in our
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2025
Perhaps we need to better highlight those multimillion-dollar contracts that just piss away money on equipment that is unusable in the North, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Dan Bard

Soldiers left out in the cold—again

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2025
  • Despite all the bluster about defending our Arctic, our military procurement system is proving incapable of providing resources durable enough for use in our

Soldiers left out in the cold—again

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2025
  • Despite all the bluster about defending our Arctic, our military procurement system is proving incapable of providing resources durable enough for use in our
Perhaps we need to better highlight those multimillion-dollar contracts that just piss away money on equipment that is unusable in the North, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Dan Bard

New defence minister, same old woes

  • Defence Minister David McGuinty is going to need a lot of support from Carney's Liberal government to truly right the CAF ship.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 21, 2025
David McGuinty brings a modicum of cabinet experience and a modicum of intelligence awareness to his new defence portfolio, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

New defence minister, same old woes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 21, 2025
  • Defence Minister David McGuinty is going to need a lot of support from Carney's Liberal government to truly right the CAF ship.

New defence minister, same old woes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 21, 2025
  • Defence Minister David McGuinty is going to need a lot of support from Carney's Liberal government to truly right the CAF ship.
David McGuinty brings a modicum of cabinet experience and a modicum of intelligence awareness to his new defence portfolio, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Martial pride on parade

  • Trump's planned spectacle will look like amateur hour compared to what Russia, China, and North Korea routinely stage for their masses.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2025
The U.S. president is handing international viewers a direct comparison of his country’s military fitness, drill, and deportment against the super well-rehearsed Russian showboats, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Dmitriy Fomin

Martial pride on parade

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2025
  • Trump's planned spectacle will look like amateur hour compared to what Russia, China, and North Korea routinely stage for their masses.

Martial pride on parade

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2025
  • Trump's planned spectacle will look like amateur hour compared to what Russia, China, and North Korea routinely stage for their masses.
The U.S. president is handing international viewers a direct comparison of his country’s military fitness, drill, and deportment against the super well-rehearsed Russian showboats, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Dmitriy Fomin

Can the Canadian Forces avoid getting goosed by wild geese?

  • Perhaps our military planners could avoid a repeat of this year's Canada goose dilemma by having service dogs on the Carling Campus grounds.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2025
Residents of our nation's capital are all-too aware of how threatening these geese can be during the spring mating season after they have laid their eggs, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Sunny

Can the Canadian Forces avoid getting goosed by wild geese?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2025
  • Perhaps our military planners could avoid a repeat of this year's Canada goose dilemma by having service dogs on the Carling Campus grounds.

Can the Canadian Forces avoid getting goosed by wild geese?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2025
  • Perhaps our military planners could avoid a repeat of this year's Canada goose dilemma by having service dogs on the Carling Campus grounds.
Residents of our nation's capital are all-too aware of how threatening these geese can be during the spring mating season after they have laid their eggs, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Sunny

Canada’s sub-standard submarines

  • Can the Royal Canadian Navy really lose a capability that it doesn't actually possess?
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2025
HMCS Windsor takes part in Exercise Cutlass Fury on Sept. 18, 2016. It is the only one of Canada's four Victoria-class submarines that has been to sea since 2021, notes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of DND/Cpl. Chris Ringius

Canada’s sub-standard submarines

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2025
  • Can the Royal Canadian Navy really lose a capability that it doesn't actually possess?

Canada’s sub-standard submarines

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2025
  • Can the Royal Canadian Navy really lose a capability that it doesn't actually possess?
HMCS Windsor takes part in Exercise Cutlass Fury on Sept. 18, 2016. It is the only one of Canada's four Victoria-class submarines that has been to sea since 2021, notes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of DND/Cpl. Chris Ringius

Federal election brings new crop of defence promises to break

  • Both governing parties have a proven track record of neglecting Canada's national defence and veterans.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2025
Whichever way you cast your vote in the coming election, do not believe the promises made regarding defence investment, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Corporal Alana Morin

Federal election brings new crop of defence promises to break

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2025
  • Both governing parties have a proven track record of neglecting Canada's national defence and veterans.

Federal election brings new crop of defence promises to break

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2025
  • Both governing parties have a proven track record of neglecting Canada's national defence and veterans.
Whichever way you cast your vote in the coming election, do not believe the promises made regarding defence investment, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Corporal Alana Morin

There goes the neighbourhood

  • If our old relationship with the U.S. ‘is over,’ then we can learn from our southernmost neighbour how to be creative in rethinking what
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 14, 2025
Mexican marines perform drills at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in June 2018. The Mexican military is structured almost entirely for internal defence and security, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by OS Justin Spinello

There goes the neighbourhood

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 14, 2025
  • If our old relationship with the U.S. ‘is over,’ then we can learn from our southernmost neighbour how to be creative in rethinking what

There goes the neighbourhood

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 14, 2025
  • If our old relationship with the U.S. ‘is over,’ then we can learn from our southernmost neighbour how to be creative in rethinking what
Mexican marines perform drills at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in June 2018. The Mexican military is structured almost entirely for internal defence and security, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by OS Justin Spinello

This isn’t the ‘Whisky War’: in defence of Greenland and Denmark

  • We cannot sit back as the Trump administration bullies Denmark into submission with false claims of neglected defence.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2025
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance used Pituffik Space Base as a podium to espouse his negative views of the Danish government and Greenland during a March 28 visit to the country. Screenshot courtesy of ABC News

This isn’t the ‘Whisky War’: in defence of Greenland and Denmark

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2025
  • We cannot sit back as the Trump administration bullies Denmark into submission with false claims of neglected defence.

This isn’t the ‘Whisky War’: in defence of Greenland and Denmark

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2025
  • We cannot sit back as the Trump administration bullies Denmark into submission with false claims of neglected defence.
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance used Pituffik Space Base as a podium to espouse his negative views of the Danish government and Greenland during a March 28 visit to the country. Screenshot courtesy of ABC News

Will the F-35 become a casualty as Trump’s trade war widens?

  • The U.S. president badgering Canada into spending more on American defence technology under threat of economic punishment does not sit well with most patriotic
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2025
Then-Air Force Commander Lt.-Gen. Yvan Blondin gets ready for a flight at Solenzara Air Force Base in Corsica, France, on Dec. 4, 2013. DND photograph by Master Seaman Steeve Picard

Will the F-35 become a casualty as Trump’s trade war widens?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2025
  • The U.S. president badgering Canada into spending more on American defence technology under threat of economic punishment does not sit well with most patriotic

Will the F-35 become a casualty as Trump’s trade war widens?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2025
  • The U.S. president badgering Canada into spending more on American defence technology under threat of economic punishment does not sit well with most patriotic
Then-Air Force Commander Lt.-Gen. Yvan Blondin gets ready for a flight at Solenzara Air Force Base in Corsica, France, on Dec. 4, 2013. DND photograph by Master Seaman Steeve Picard

Does the military have room to get its elbows up?

  • Sadly for patriotic Canadians, the majority of the military hardware that the government does purchase is from American defence companies.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2025
Royal Canadian Air Force ground crew perform post flight checks on a CF-18 fighter jet in Kuwait on Nov. 3, 2014. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces Combat Camera/DND

Does the military have room to get its elbows up?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2025
  • Sadly for patriotic Canadians, the majority of the military hardware that the government does purchase is from American defence companies.

Does the military have room to get its elbows up?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2025
  • Sadly for patriotic Canadians, the majority of the military hardware that the government does purchase is from American defence companies.
Royal Canadian Air Force ground crew perform post flight checks on a CF-18 fighter jet in Kuwait on Nov. 3, 2014. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces Combat Camera/DND

Another major procurement project FUBAR

  • Buried in the fine print of the Canadian Surface Combatant announcement was the fact that the total cost to build these three warships is expected
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2025
Bill Blair
Bill Blair
Defence Minister Bill Blair’s March 8 shipbuilding contract announcement was unsurprisingly dropped into a media void, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Another major procurement project FUBAR

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2025
  • Buried in the fine print of the Canadian Surface Combatant announcement was the fact that the total cost to build these three warships is expected

Another major procurement project FUBAR

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2025
  • Buried in the fine print of the Canadian Surface Combatant announcement was the fact that the total cost to build these three warships is expected
Bill Blair
Defence Minister Bill Blair’s March 8 shipbuilding contract announcement was unsurprisingly dropped into a media void, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trumped again

  • For President Donald Trump to question Canada’s military resolve is an insult to the sacrifices which were made in support of the U.S.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently cast baseless aspersions on NATO's reliability, given its history in the wake of 9/11, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Trumped again

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2025
  • For President Donald Trump to question Canada’s military resolve is an insult to the sacrifices which were made in support of the U.S.

Trumped again

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2025
  • For President Donald Trump to question Canada’s military resolve is an insult to the sacrifices which were made in support of the U.S.
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently cast baseless aspersions on NATO's reliability, given its history in the wake of 9/11, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Casting a wider recruiting net

  • Why is the CAF trying to fix a problem that does not exist instead of addressing the issue of a lack of trainers in
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2025
Major-General Scott Malcolm was among the officials who announced changes to the CAF recruiting process on Feb. 19. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Casting a wider recruiting net

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2025
  • Why is the CAF trying to fix a problem that does not exist instead of addressing the issue of a lack of trainers in

Casting a wider recruiting net

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2025
  • Why is the CAF trying to fix a problem that does not exist instead of addressing the issue of a lack of trainers in
Major-General Scott Malcolm was among the officials who announced changes to the CAF recruiting process on Feb. 19. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Trump’s flip-flop on Ukraine

  • The lesson that Canadians need to take from the U.S. president’s complete reversal on Ukraine is that we could easily be next.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2025
Volodomyr Zelenskyy
Volodomyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been excluded from peace talks between the United States and Russia to end the war against his country. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s flip-flop on Ukraine

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2025
  • The lesson that Canadians need to take from the U.S. president’s complete reversal on Ukraine is that we could easily be next.

Trump’s flip-flop on Ukraine

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2025
  • The lesson that Canadians need to take from the U.S. president’s complete reversal on Ukraine is that we could easily be next.
Volodomyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been excluded from peace talks between the United States and Russia to end the war against his country. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
More Stories

Steep bonuses for DND execs a real head-scratcher

  • If it were a private sector company, one would expect to see much of DND's senior leadership being escorted to the elevator with their
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
According to documents released under the Access to Information Act, some 252 executives at the Department of National Defence—now overseen by Minister Bill Blair—received a performance bonus between April 2021 and March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Steep bonuses for DND execs a real head-scratcher

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
  • If it were a private sector company, one would expect to see much of DND's senior leadership being escorted to the elevator with their

Steep bonuses for DND execs a real head-scratcher

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
  • If it were a private sector company, one would expect to see much of DND's senior leadership being escorted to the elevator with their
According to documents released under the Access to Information Act, some 252 executives at the Department of National Defence—now overseen by Minister Bill Blair—received a performance bonus between April 2021 and March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Blair should push back on arbitrary NATO spending goal

  • To meet that magical two per cent of GDP NATO goal, Canada would need to spend an extra $20-billion on the military every year.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 2, 2023
Coming into his new job, Defence Minister Bill Blair will, among other things, be faced with warding off pressure from our NATO allies—the U.S. in particular—to spend more money on defence, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Blair should push back on arbitrary NATO spending goal

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 2, 2023
  • To meet that magical two per cent of GDP NATO goal, Canada would need to spend an extra $20-billion on the military every year.

Why Blair should push back on arbitrary NATO spending goal

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 2, 2023
  • To meet that magical two per cent of GDP NATO goal, Canada would need to spend an extra $20-billion on the military every year.
Coming into his new job, Defence Minister Bill Blair will, among other things, be faced with warding off pressure from our NATO allies—the U.S. in particular—to spend more money on defence, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A legion of our own

  • Creating a Canadian foreign legion might be considered extreme, but it would solve a personnel shortage within our military that has reached a critical
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš speak at the Ādaži military base in Latvia on July 10. The question is where our under-strength Army units are going to find and train the prerequisite number of personnel to keep the necessary Canadian soldiers forward deployed in Latvia, writes Scott Taylor. Latvian State Chancellery photograph by Gatis Rozenfelds

A legion of our own

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2023
  • Creating a Canadian foreign legion might be considered extreme, but it would solve a personnel shortage within our military that has reached a critical

A legion of our own

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2023
  • Creating a Canadian foreign legion might be considered extreme, but it would solve a personnel shortage within our military that has reached a critical
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš speak at the Ādaži military base in Latvia on July 10. The question is where our under-strength Army units are going to find and train the prerequisite number of personnel to keep the necessary Canadian soldiers forward deployed in Latvia, writes Scott Taylor. Latvian State Chancellery photograph by Gatis Rozenfelds

NATO Summit a cluster of missed chances to prep for the future

  • The increased use of cluster munitions is a dangerous escalation with harmful implications for innocent Ukrainian civilians on both sides of the battle lines
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attend a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr

NATO Summit a cluster of missed chances to prep for the future

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2023
  • The increased use of cluster munitions is a dangerous escalation with harmful implications for innocent Ukrainian civilians on both sides of the battle lines

NATO Summit a cluster of missed chances to prep for the future

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2023
  • The increased use of cluster munitions is a dangerous escalation with harmful implications for innocent Ukrainian civilians on both sides of the battle lines
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attend a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr

Martial law by mercenary is nothing new

  • Historically, the employment of mercenaries has rarely—if ever—resulted in a positive long-lasting result.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2023
The Wagner Group’s aborted mutiny in Russia is only one in a long line of escapades by privately owned mercenary armies who have been employed by global super powers to extend their martial authority without having to endanger the lives of their own citizenry, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Martial law by mercenary is nothing new

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2023
  • Historically, the employment of mercenaries has rarely—if ever—resulted in a positive long-lasting result.

Martial law by mercenary is nothing new

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2023
  • Historically, the employment of mercenaries has rarely—if ever—resulted in a positive long-lasting result.
The Wagner Group’s aborted mutiny in Russia is only one in a long line of escapades by privately owned mercenary armies who have been employed by global super powers to extend their martial authority without having to endanger the lives of their own citizenry, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Pushed by Prigozhin, Putin remains the devil we know

  • Vladimir Putin may be a madman, but Yevgeny Prigozhin is a ruthless lunatic who was never advocating for a peaceful resolution to the war
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2023
It does not take much imagination to ponder what would have happened if Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin had succeeded in ousting Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CNN

Pushed by Prigozhin, Putin remains the devil we know

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2023
  • Vladimir Putin may be a madman, but Yevgeny Prigozhin is a ruthless lunatic who was never advocating for a peaceful resolution to the war

Pushed by Prigozhin, Putin remains the devil we know

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2023
  • Vladimir Putin may be a madman, but Yevgeny Prigozhin is a ruthless lunatic who was never advocating for a peaceful resolution to the war
It does not take much imagination to ponder what would have happened if Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin had succeeded in ousting Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CNN

Chinook helicopter tragedy evokes past military comms confusion

  • The communication gaffes in this incident were eerily reminiscent of DND’s handling of the April 29, 2020, CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crash which claimed the
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2023
The recent tragic loss of Captains David Domagala, left, and Marc Larouche will reverberate throughout the entire defence community, writes Scott Taylor. Handout photograph

Chinook helicopter tragedy evokes past military comms confusion

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2023
  • The communication gaffes in this incident were eerily reminiscent of DND’s handling of the April 29, 2020, CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crash which claimed the

Chinook helicopter tragedy evokes past military comms confusion

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2023
  • The communication gaffes in this incident were eerily reminiscent of DND’s handling of the April 29, 2020, CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crash which claimed the
The recent tragic loss of Captains David Domagala, left, and Marc Larouche will reverberate throughout the entire defence community, writes Scott Taylor. Handout photograph

Navigating the narratives of the Russian invasion

  • If victory is indeed now assured for Ukraine, perhaps it is time that we begin a debate on what a ‘just’ and ‘humane’ outcome
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participates in a ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the National Guard of Ukraine on March 24. On the battlefield, it is apparent the Ukrainian military has begun its counteroffensive, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the office the President of Ukraine/Flickr

Navigating the narratives of the Russian invasion

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2023
  • If victory is indeed now assured for Ukraine, perhaps it is time that we begin a debate on what a ‘just’ and ‘humane’ outcome

Navigating the narratives of the Russian invasion

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2023
  • If victory is indeed now assured for Ukraine, perhaps it is time that we begin a debate on what a ‘just’ and ‘humane’ outcome
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participates in a ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the National Guard of Ukraine on March 24. On the battlefield, it is apparent the Ukrainian military has begun its counteroffensive, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the office the President of Ukraine/Flickr

Changing climate, wildfire risk a chance for Canada to refit military

  • A huge investment in Canadian aerospace to build an iconic Canadian-designed water bomber should be a popular one.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2023
Members from the 41 Canadian Brigade and local firefighters participate in fire prevention operations in Drayton Valley, Alta., on May 15. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe

Changing climate, wildfire risk a chance for Canada to refit military

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2023
  • A huge investment in Canadian aerospace to build an iconic Canadian-designed water bomber should be a popular one.

Changing climate, wildfire risk a chance for Canada to refit military

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2023
  • A huge investment in Canadian aerospace to build an iconic Canadian-designed water bomber should be a popular one.
Members from the 41 Canadian Brigade and local firefighters participate in fire prevention operations in Drayton Valley, Alta., on May 15. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe

It may be time to eschew tradition to beef up Canada’s military

  • Given the developments on the battlefield in the ongoing war in Ukraine, maybe it’s time the CAF rethinks the structure of our military entirely.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2023
An Avidrone Avipak30 automated cargo delivery system is displayed at the Avidrone Aerospace booth at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on May 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It may be time to eschew tradition to beef up Canada’s military

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2023
  • Given the developments on the battlefield in the ongoing war in Ukraine, maybe it’s time the CAF rethinks the structure of our military entirely.

It may be time to eschew tradition to beef up Canada’s military

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2023
  • Given the developments on the battlefield in the ongoing war in Ukraine, maybe it’s time the CAF rethinks the structure of our military entirely.
An Avidrone Avipak30 automated cargo delivery system is displayed at the Avidrone Aerospace booth at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on May 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The tide has changed for the Russian war machine

  • It would seem that after 15 months of fighting, the tables have been turned and it is the Russian military that has become the
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2023
As a sort of chess-move counter to Russia losing the battlefield advantage, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently ordered the forward deployment of tactical nuclear weapons into neighbouring Belarus, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia/Flickr

The tide has changed for the Russian war machine

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2023
  • It would seem that after 15 months of fighting, the tables have been turned and it is the Russian military that has become the

The tide has changed for the Russian war machine

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2023
  • It would seem that after 15 months of fighting, the tables have been turned and it is the Russian military that has become the
As a sort of chess-move counter to Russia losing the battlefield advantage, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently ordered the forward deployment of tactical nuclear weapons into neighbouring Belarus, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia/Flickr

South Korea visit a chance to dive into Canada’s submarine quagmire

  • Korean military analysts were quick to note that Korea's KSS-III submarines would be a perfect fit for the Royal Canadian Navy’s future requirements.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Ottawa on Sept. 23, 2022. There was media speculation that during a recent meeting in Korea, talks between the two leaders involved a potential submarine deal, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

South Korea visit a chance to dive into Canada’s submarine quagmire

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 24, 2023
  • Korean military analysts were quick to note that Korea's KSS-III submarines would be a perfect fit for the Royal Canadian Navy’s future requirements.

South Korea visit a chance to dive into Canada’s submarine quagmire

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 24, 2023
  • Korean military analysts were quick to note that Korea's KSS-III submarines would be a perfect fit for the Royal Canadian Navy’s future requirements.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Ottawa on Sept. 23, 2022. There was media speculation that during a recent meeting in Korea, talks between the two leaders involved a potential submarine deal, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Despite passport polemic, Canada wasn’t ‘born’ at Vimy Ridge

  • Canada first cut the umbilical cord to Mother Britain during the Chanak crisis of September 1922, but there are no monuments to the wars
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2023
To give them credit, the Vimy Foundation has been hugely successful in promoting the Vimy Ridge myth over the past two decades, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Andy Hay/Flickr

Despite passport polemic, Canada wasn’t ‘born’ at Vimy Ridge

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2023
  • Canada first cut the umbilical cord to Mother Britain during the Chanak crisis of September 1922, but there are no monuments to the wars

Despite passport polemic, Canada wasn’t ‘born’ at Vimy Ridge

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2023
  • Canada first cut the umbilical cord to Mother Britain during the Chanak crisis of September 1922, but there are no monuments to the wars
To give them credit, the Vimy Foundation has been hugely successful in promoting the Vimy Ridge myth over the past two decades, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Andy Hay/Flickr

Finding the silver lining in a cloudy Sudan evacuation operation

  • MV Asterix proved to be a very valuable asset to all those allied nations toiling to evacuate their nationals via the port of Sudan.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 8, 2023
Members of MV Asterix perform a replenishment at sea with HMS Lancaster in the Red Sea during Operation Savanne on April 27. DND photograph by S1 Taylor Congdon

Finding the silver lining in a cloudy Sudan evacuation operation

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 8, 2023
  • MV Asterix proved to be a very valuable asset to all those allied nations toiling to evacuate their nationals via the port of Sudan.

Finding the silver lining in a cloudy Sudan evacuation operation

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 8, 2023
  • MV Asterix proved to be a very valuable asset to all those allied nations toiling to evacuate their nationals via the port of Sudan.
Members of MV Asterix perform a replenishment at sea with HMS Lancaster in the Red Sea during Operation Savanne on April 27. DND photograph by S1 Taylor Congdon

Canada playing catch up with its Sudan response

  • The efforts of the Canadian military would have been enhanced if we had kept some sort of diplomatic foothold on the ground.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2023
On April 27, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the Canadian Armed Forces would be belatedly riding to the rescue for Canadian nationals in Sudan, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada playing catch up with its Sudan response

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2023
  • The efforts of the Canadian military would have been enhanced if we had kept some sort of diplomatic foothold on the ground.

Canada playing catch up with its Sudan response

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2023
  • The efforts of the Canadian military would have been enhanced if we had kept some sort of diplomatic foothold on the ground.
On April 27, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the Canadian Armed Forces would be belatedly riding to the rescue for Canadian nationals in Sudan, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s military is past the point of a quick fix

  • Far beyond the size of Canada’s defence budget, the real crisis facing the Canadian military right now is its chronic shortfall in personnel.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 26, 2023
Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre speaks with soldiers deployed on Operation Unifier in the U.K. on Oct. 28, 2022. Last October, Eyre declared the personnel shortage to be the CAF’s No. 1 priority, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the CAF/Corp. Eric Greico

Canada’s military is past the point of a quick fix

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 26, 2023
  • Far beyond the size of Canada’s defence budget, the real crisis facing the Canadian military right now is its chronic shortfall in personnel.

Canada’s military is past the point of a quick fix

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 26, 2023
  • Far beyond the size of Canada’s defence budget, the real crisis facing the Canadian military right now is its chronic shortfall in personnel.
Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre speaks with soldiers deployed on Operation Unifier in the U.K. on Oct. 28, 2022. Last October, Eyre declared the personnel shortage to be the CAF’s No. 1 priority, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the CAF/Corp. Eric Greico

Trudeau’s rose-tinted history avoids reality of Ukrainian support

  • By every conventional measure, Canada is involved in a proxy war with Russia. 
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 19, 2023
While I am certainly in agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the fact that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal, to claim this act of aggression shattered eight decades of world peace is just dumb, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s rose-tinted history avoids reality of Ukrainian support

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 19, 2023
  • By every conventional measure, Canada is involved in a proxy war with Russia. 

Trudeau’s rose-tinted history avoids reality of Ukrainian support

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 19, 2023
  • By every conventional measure, Canada is involved in a proxy war with Russia. 
While I am certainly in agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the fact that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal, to claim this act of aggression shattered eight decades of world peace is just dumb, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The challenge with using old ideas to solve the CAF staffing crisis

  • The Naval Experience Program mirrors that of standard recruitment into the Canadian Armed Forces.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 10, 2023
The Naval Experience Program is intended to give Canadians the opportunity to experience the Navy as a sailor on a one-year contract before deciding if a career in the Navy is the right fit for them, Scott Taylor writes. DND photograph by MCpl Manuela Berger

The challenge with using old ideas to solve the CAF staffing crisis

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 10, 2023
  • The Naval Experience Program mirrors that of standard recruitment into the Canadian Armed Forces.

The challenge with using old ideas to solve the CAF staffing crisis

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 10, 2023
  • The Naval Experience Program mirrors that of standard recruitment into the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Naval Experience Program is intended to give Canadians the opportunity to experience the Navy as a sailor on a one-year contract before deciding if a career in the Navy is the right fit for them, Scott Taylor writes. DND photograph by MCpl Manuela Berger

The last thing we need is more of the Iraq conflict

  • On March 27, National Defence Minister Anita Anand announced a further extension of Operation Impact until at least March 31, 2025.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 3, 2023
A door gunner with the Tactical Aviation Detachment watches out of a CH-146 Griffon helicopter during Operation Impact on Sept. 27, 2017. The last thing the Canadian Armed Forces needs is this further extension of the mission in Iraq, a mission that has no clear aim and zero chance of success, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence

The last thing we need is more of the Iraq conflict

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 3, 2023
  • On March 27, National Defence Minister Anita Anand announced a further extension of Operation Impact until at least March 31, 2025.

The last thing we need is more of the Iraq conflict

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 3, 2023
  • On March 27, National Defence Minister Anita Anand announced a further extension of Operation Impact until at least March 31, 2025.
A door gunner with the Tactical Aviation Detachment watches out of a CH-146 Griffon helicopter during Operation Impact on Sept. 27, 2017. The last thing the Canadian Armed Forces needs is this further extension of the mission in Iraq, a mission that has no clear aim and zero chance of success, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence

Our soldiers should not be used as political pawns

  • As a proud Canadian, I would like to think that our defence budget is spent for the purpose of providing security, rather than simply
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 27, 2023
National Defence Minister Anita Anand, left, speaks with Maj.-Gen. Steve Boivin, commander of the Canadian Special Operations Command, after a press conference at National Defence headquarters in downtown Ottawa on March 21 to announce $1.4-billion in funding to revitalize the JTF-2 training site at Dwyer Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Our soldiers should not be used as political pawns

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 27, 2023
  • As a proud Canadian, I would like to think that our defence budget is spent for the purpose of providing security, rather than simply

Our soldiers should not be used as political pawns

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 27, 2023
  • As a proud Canadian, I would like to think that our defence budget is spent for the purpose of providing security, rather than simply
National Defence Minister Anita Anand, left, speaks with Maj.-Gen. Steve Boivin, commander of the Canadian Special Operations Command, after a press conference at National Defence headquarters in downtown Ottawa on March 21 to announce $1.4-billion in funding to revitalize the JTF-2 training site at Dwyer Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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