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Scott Taylor

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

Is Canada at risk of being complicit in U.S. military crimes?

  • The recent U.S. navy attacks on shipping off the coast of Venezuela have raised concerns at DND headquarters in Ottawa. 
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 20, 2025
Canada has partnered with the U.S. on Operation Caribbe, a counter-narcotic effort in the Caribbean, since 2006. DND photograph by 12 Wing Imaging Services

Is Canada at risk of being complicit in U.S. military crimes?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 20, 2025
  • The recent U.S. navy attacks on shipping off the coast of Venezuela have raised concerns at DND headquarters in Ottawa. 

Is Canada at risk of being complicit in U.S. military crimes?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 20, 2025
  • The recent U.S. navy attacks on shipping off the coast of Venezuela have raised concerns at DND headquarters in Ottawa. 
Canada has partnered with the U.S. on Operation Caribbe, a counter-narcotic effort in the Caribbean, since 2006. DND photograph by 12 Wing Imaging Services

Accountability needed after forged documents used to smear journalist and compromise House committee

  • Now that documents used to allege that David Pugliese is a Russian spy have been debunked as forgeries, the Public Safety and National Security
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 13, 2025
Defence reporter David Pugliese, left, was left to defend himself after former Conservative cabinet minister Chris Alexander lobbed now-debunked allegations at an October 2024 House committee meeting that he was a foreign spy. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Accountability needed after forged documents used to smear journalist and compromise House committee

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 13, 2025
  • Now that documents used to allege that David Pugliese is a Russian spy have been debunked as forgeries, the Public Safety and National Security

Accountability needed after forged documents used to smear journalist and compromise House committee

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 13, 2025
  • Now that documents used to allege that David Pugliese is a Russian spy have been debunked as forgeries, the Public Safety and National Security
Defence reporter David Pugliese, left, was left to defend himself after former Conservative cabinet minister Chris Alexander lobbed now-debunked allegations at an October 2024 House committee meeting that he was a foreign spy. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Canada’s moves on procurement overshadowed as the U.S. prepares for war against its citizens

  • As important as Canadian defence issues might seem, what happens south of our border will have a far greater impact on our future as
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 6, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump told a group of assembled generals that their country was ‘under invasion from within’ on Sept. 30. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/PBS NewsHour

Canada’s moves on procurement overshadowed as the U.S. prepares for war against its citizens

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 6, 2025
  • As important as Canadian defence issues might seem, what happens south of our border will have a far greater impact on our future as

Canada’s moves on procurement overshadowed as the U.S. prepares for war against its citizens

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 6, 2025
  • As important as Canadian defence issues might seem, what happens south of our border will have a far greater impact on our future as
U.S. President Donald Trump told a group of assembled generals that their country was ‘under invasion from within’ on Sept. 30. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/PBS NewsHour

The Canadian Armed Forces is a shrinking tribe

  • With only roughly one in 684 Canadians serving in the regular forces, thinking that the country could mount any meaningful deployment to either Ukraine or Gaza
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 29, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke at the High-Level Segment of the International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement on the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York on Sept. 22. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

The Canadian Armed Forces is a shrinking tribe

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 29, 2025
  • With only roughly one in 684 Canadians serving in the regular forces, thinking that the country could mount any meaningful deployment to either Ukraine or Gaza

The Canadian Armed Forces is a shrinking tribe

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 29, 2025
  • With only roughly one in 684 Canadians serving in the regular forces, thinking that the country could mount any meaningful deployment to either Ukraine or Gaza
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke at the High-Level Segment of the International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement on the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York on Sept. 22. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

CAF leadership lacks courage

  • It's the responsibility of military brass to pound on the desks of their political masters to address shortcomings in the institution. Instead, they sugar
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 22, 2025
Canadian soldiers take part in Exercise Resolute Warrior in Latvia in 2024. A House of Commons committee recently heard that the Canadian Army does not have enough vehicles to support the forward deployed NATO mission in Latvia and conduct a similar-sized training exercise in Canada, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence/Cpl. Marc-André Leclerc

CAF leadership lacks courage

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 22, 2025
  • It's the responsibility of military brass to pound on the desks of their political masters to address shortcomings in the institution. Instead, they sugar

CAF leadership lacks courage

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 22, 2025
  • It's the responsibility of military brass to pound on the desks of their political masters to address shortcomings in the institution. Instead, they sugar
Canadian soldiers take part in Exercise Resolute Warrior in Latvia in 2024. A House of Commons committee recently heard that the Canadian Army does not have enough vehicles to support the forward deployed NATO mission in Latvia and conduct a similar-sized training exercise in Canada, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence/Cpl. Marc-André Leclerc

Future planning needed amid Canada’s defence budget boost

  • If we truly wish to provide a deterrent to Russian aggression, we need to learn from the ongoing war in Europe.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 15, 2025
Members of a CH-147F Chinook medical team with Operation Presence in Mali in 2018. With 14 CH-147F Chinooks remaining in RCAF service, Canada possesses a considerable aviation asset, but one suited to wage a counter-insurgency against a poorly equipped foe, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces Combat Camera/MCpl. Jennifer Kusche

Future planning needed amid Canada’s defence budget boost

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 15, 2025
  • If we truly wish to provide a deterrent to Russian aggression, we need to learn from the ongoing war in Europe.

Future planning needed amid Canada’s defence budget boost

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 15, 2025
  • If we truly wish to provide a deterrent to Russian aggression, we need to learn from the ongoing war in Europe.
Members of a CH-147F Chinook medical team with Operation Presence in Mali in 2018. With 14 CH-147F Chinooks remaining in RCAF service, Canada possesses a considerable aviation asset, but one suited to wage a counter-insurgency against a poorly equipped foe, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces Combat Camera/MCpl. Jennifer Kusche

A thin façade of combat capability

  • If your military cupboard is hurting, you can’t throw a coat of fresh paint on a disabled tank and pretend all is good for
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 8, 2025
It’s understandable that the military brass at Camp Adazi would try to impress Prime Minister Mark Carney, but it’s putting lipstick on a pig, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of X

A thin façade of combat capability

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 8, 2025
  • If your military cupboard is hurting, you can’t throw a coat of fresh paint on a disabled tank and pretend all is good for

A thin façade of combat capability

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 8, 2025
  • If your military cupboard is hurting, you can’t throw a coat of fresh paint on a disabled tank and pretend all is good for
It’s understandable that the military brass at Camp Adazi would try to impress Prime Minister Mark Carney, but it’s putting lipstick on a pig, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of X

Are we offering human bait in Ukraine?

  • Canada would need to acquire modern battlefield necessities before it can send any soldiers into Ukraine.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 1, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
If Prime Minister Mark Carney intends to actually put Canadian boots on the ground in Ukraine, he needs to make some tough decisions, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of X

Are we offering human bait in Ukraine?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 1, 2025
  • Canada would need to acquire modern battlefield necessities before it can send any soldiers into Ukraine.

Are we offering human bait in Ukraine?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 1, 2025
  • Canada would need to acquire modern battlefield necessities before it can send any soldiers into Ukraine.
Mark Carney
If Prime Minister Mark Carney intends to actually put Canadian boots on the ground in Ukraine, he needs to make some tough decisions, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of X

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
More Stories

New defence minister has massive problem to tackle—but there’s hope

  • OTTAWA—In naming his new cabinet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has finally relieved long-serving minister of national defence Harjit Sajjan of his embattled portfolio. Since
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 1, 2021
The fact that Anita Anand is a woman potentially sends out the signal to CAF survivors and victims of sexual misconduct that the government is finally serious about tackling the current crisis, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New defence minister has massive problem to tackle—but there’s hope

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 1, 2021
  • OTTAWA—In naming his new cabinet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has finally relieved long-serving minister of national defence Harjit Sajjan of his embattled portfolio. Since

New defence minister has massive problem to tackle—but there’s hope

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 1, 2021
  • OTTAWA—In naming his new cabinet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has finally relieved long-serving minister of national defence Harjit Sajjan of his embattled portfolio. Since
The fact that Anita Anand is a woman potentially sends out the signal to CAF survivors and victims of sexual misconduct that the government is finally serious about tackling the current crisis, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The attack against the Canadian military is coming from within

  • OTTAWA—On Feb. 7, 1981, a Soviet Navy Tupolev-104 passenger plane crashed immediately after taking off from the Pushkin airbase near St. Petersburg. All 50
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 25, 2021
Retired chief of defence staff General Jonathan Vance, left, his successor Admiral Art McDonald, and former vaccine-rollout leader Major-General Dany Fortin have all undergone investigation because of allegations of sexual misconduct or other dubious actions, which they have denied. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of Twitter

The attack against the Canadian military is coming from within

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 25, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On Feb. 7, 1981, a Soviet Navy Tupolev-104 passenger plane crashed immediately after taking off from the Pushkin airbase near St. Petersburg. All 50

The attack against the Canadian military is coming from within

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 25, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On Feb. 7, 1981, a Soviet Navy Tupolev-104 passenger plane crashed immediately after taking off from the Pushkin airbase near St. Petersburg. All 50
Retired chief of defence staff General Jonathan Vance, left, his successor Admiral Art McDonald, and former vaccine-rollout leader Major-General Dany Fortin have all undergone investigation because of allegations of sexual misconduct or other dubious actions, which they have denied. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of Twitter

Ride out of Iraq now instead of flogging the dead horse of a mission

  • OTTAWA—On Sunday, Oct. 10, Iraqi citizens went to the polls to elect a new Parliament. Given that this coincided with Thanksgiving, it is no
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 18, 2021
Among Operation Impact’s objectives is to ‘help Iraq to achieve long-term success in keeping its territory and people secure.’ It’s a noble gesture, writes Scott Taylor, but it’s time to bring our troops home—the Sadrists can prop up their own leader without our assistance. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence

Ride out of Iraq now instead of flogging the dead horse of a mission

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 18, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On Sunday, Oct. 10, Iraqi citizens went to the polls to elect a new Parliament. Given that this coincided with Thanksgiving, it is no

Ride out of Iraq now instead of flogging the dead horse of a mission

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 18, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On Sunday, Oct. 10, Iraqi citizens went to the polls to elect a new Parliament. Given that this coincided with Thanksgiving, it is no
Among Operation Impact’s objectives is to ‘help Iraq to achieve long-term success in keeping its territory and people secure.’ It’s a noble gesture, writes Scott Taylor, but it’s time to bring our troops home—the Sadrists can prop up their own leader without our assistance. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence

Keeping it under wraps always seems to go wrong

  • OTTAWA—Last week, Ottawa Citizen reporter David Pugliese broke the story that Major-General Peter Dawe had been quietly assigned a new post and brought back
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 11, 2021
The sign offs by General Wayne Eyre, acting chief of the defence staff, left, and Lieutenant-General Frances Allen, vice-chief of the defence staff to quietly return Major-General Peter Dawe, right, to a new role involving responses to the various reviews looking into sexual misconduct in the Armed Forces was yet another entirely avoidable black eye for the CAF senior command, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and photograph courtesy of NATO

Keeping it under wraps always seems to go wrong

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 11, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, Ottawa Citizen reporter David Pugliese broke the story that Major-General Peter Dawe had been quietly assigned a new post and brought back

Keeping it under wraps always seems to go wrong

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 11, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, Ottawa Citizen reporter David Pugliese broke the story that Major-General Peter Dawe had been quietly assigned a new post and brought back
The sign offs by General Wayne Eyre, acting chief of the defence staff, left, and Lieutenant-General Frances Allen, vice-chief of the defence staff to quietly return Major-General Peter Dawe, right, to a new role involving responses to the various reviews looking into sexual misconduct in the Armed Forces was yet another entirely avoidable black eye for the CAF senior command, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and photograph courtesy of NATO

Unpunished psyops scheme a blow to CAF credibility

  • OTTAWA—Last week, the Canadian Armed Forces were pummelled with yet another self-inflicted wound to their public trust. The Ottawa Citizen reported the stunning news
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 4, 2021
The initiative to train public affairs officers on behaviour-modification techniques was the brainchild of now retired Brig.-Gen. Jay Janzen, who was at the time the senior officer in the public affairs branch. Photograph courtesy of NATO/SSgt Ian Houlding GBR Army

Unpunished psyops scheme a blow to CAF credibility

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 4, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, the Canadian Armed Forces were pummelled with yet another self-inflicted wound to their public trust. The Ottawa Citizen reported the stunning news

Unpunished psyops scheme a blow to CAF credibility

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 4, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, the Canadian Armed Forces were pummelled with yet another self-inflicted wound to their public trust. The Ottawa Citizen reported the stunning news
The initiative to train public affairs officers on behaviour-modification techniques was the brainchild of now retired Brig.-Gen. Jay Janzen, who was at the time the senior officer in the public affairs branch. Photograph courtesy of NATO/SSgt Ian Houlding GBR Army

Truth and reconciliation holiday a chance to untangle unexamined family ties

  • OTTAWA—The current sense of national shame began on May 28 with the media reports of some 200 unmarked graves discovered on the grounds of
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 29, 2021
Pupils of Mohawk Institute are pictured in Brantford, Ont., in September 1934. Scott Taylor writes that he now knows that under the terms of the 1885 Indian Act, it would have been mandatory for his grandmother Pauline to attend the Mohawk Residential Institute at Brantford until the age of 16. Photograph courtesy of Library and Archives Canada

Truth and reconciliation holiday a chance to untangle unexamined family ties

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 29, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The current sense of national shame began on May 28 with the media reports of some 200 unmarked graves discovered on the grounds of

Truth and reconciliation holiday a chance to untangle unexamined family ties

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 29, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The current sense of national shame began on May 28 with the media reports of some 200 unmarked graves discovered on the grounds of
Pupils of Mohawk Institute are pictured in Brantford, Ont., in September 1934. Scott Taylor writes that he now knows that under the terms of the 1885 Indian Act, it would have been mandatory for his grandmother Pauline to attend the Mohawk Residential Institute at Brantford until the age of 16. Photograph courtesy of Library and Archives Canada

AUKUS alliance could mean it’s time for a NATO rethink

  • OTTAWA—At the United Nations’ general assembly in New York, U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 27, 2021
If a nuclear-powered submarine pact by U.S. President Joe Biden, left, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson can undermine NATO ally France, maybe it is time for Canada to rethink our own membership in NATO? Photographs courtesy of Flicker and Wikimedia Commons

AUKUS alliance could mean it’s time for a NATO rethink

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 27, 2021
  • OTTAWA—At the United Nations’ general assembly in New York, U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson

AUKUS alliance could mean it’s time for a NATO rethink

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 27, 2021
  • OTTAWA—At the United Nations’ general assembly in New York, U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson
If a nuclear-powered submarine pact by U.S. President Joe Biden, left, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson can undermine NATO ally France, maybe it is time for Canada to rethink our own membership in NATO? Photographs courtesy of Flicker and Wikimedia Commons

Canadian track record for wars won as poor as for wars lost

  • OTTAWA—With the Taliban firmly back in control in Afghanistan, many Canadian veterans of that war are conflicted in their emotions. They question the sacrifice
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 20, 2021
After the NATO-assisted Libyan rebels toppled and executed president Muammar Gaddafi, the Harper government proudly staged a patriotic victory parade, complete with an RCAF flypast on Parliament Hill on Nov. 24, 2011, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Canadian track record for wars won as poor as for wars lost

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 20, 2021
  • OTTAWA—With the Taliban firmly back in control in Afghanistan, many Canadian veterans of that war are conflicted in their emotions. They question the sacrifice

Canadian track record for wars won as poor as for wars lost

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 20, 2021
  • OTTAWA—With the Taliban firmly back in control in Afghanistan, many Canadian veterans of that war are conflicted in their emotions. They question the sacrifice
After the NATO-assisted Libyan rebels toppled and executed president Muammar Gaddafi, the Harper government proudly staged a patriotic victory parade, complete with an RCAF flypast on Parliament Hill on Nov. 24, 2011, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Public narrative of victory in Afghanistan contributed to Canada’s lacking response

  • OTTAWA—Last week, the former Hamid Karzai International Airport was back in business under the new moniker of Kabul International Airport (a.k.a. KIA). The first
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2021
The Kabul International Airport, pictured in 2009. We can only pray that this new incarnation of the Taliban remains a kinder, gentler version of itself and that airlifts to safety replace vengeful bloodletting, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Jim Kelly

Public narrative of victory in Afghanistan contributed to Canada’s lacking response

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, the former Hamid Karzai International Airport was back in business under the new moniker of Kabul International Airport (a.k.a. KIA). The first

Public narrative of victory in Afghanistan contributed to Canada’s lacking response

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, the former Hamid Karzai International Airport was back in business under the new moniker of Kabul International Airport (a.k.a. KIA). The first
The Kabul International Airport, pictured in 2009. We can only pray that this new incarnation of the Taliban remains a kinder, gentler version of itself and that airlifts to safety replace vengeful bloodletting, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Jim Kelly

Afghanistan’s fate was there to see, but no one bothered to look

  • OTTAWA—Now that the last U.S. air force plane has departed the Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul, western analysts and pundits remain shell shocked
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 6, 2021
Then-Canadian ambassador Chris Alexander’s inaccurate view that Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum was a remnant of Afghanistan’s past revealed just how little the youthful ambassador grasped the complexity of the Afghan political landscape, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times file photograph

Afghanistan’s fate was there to see, but no one bothered to look

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 6, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Now that the last U.S. air force plane has departed the Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul, western analysts and pundits remain shell shocked

Afghanistan’s fate was there to see, but no one bothered to look

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 6, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Now that the last U.S. air force plane has departed the Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul, western analysts and pundits remain shell shocked
Then-Canadian ambassador Chris Alexander’s inaccurate view that Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum was a remnant of Afghanistan’s past revealed just how little the youthful ambassador grasped the complexity of the Afghan political landscape, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times file photograph

It gets worse than the Taliban

  • OTTAWA—The deadly terrorist attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Aug. 26 was yet another serious blow to American martial pride as
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 30, 2021
There’ve been tough words, but as the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan now consists of nothing more than a desperate rear-guard securing the soon to be renamed Hamid Karzai International Airport, U.S. President Joe Biden’s only hope of punishing the culprits behind the Aug. 26 airport bombing will require the Taliban’s co-operation. Screenshot courtesy of CNN

It gets worse than the Taliban

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 30, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The deadly terrorist attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Aug. 26 was yet another serious blow to American martial pride as

It gets worse than the Taliban

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 30, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The deadly terrorist attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Aug. 26 was yet another serious blow to American martial pride as
There’ve been tough words, but as the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan now consists of nothing more than a desperate rear-guard securing the soon to be renamed Hamid Karzai International Airport, U.S. President Joe Biden’s only hope of punishing the culprits behind the Aug. 26 airport bombing will require the Taliban’s co-operation. Screenshot courtesy of CNN

The collapse no one and everyone saw coming

  • OTTAWA—It has been just over a week since the Taliban shocked the world with their blitzkrieg speed overthrow of the Afghan regime. The first
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 24, 2021
No one can ever question the courage of the average Afghan fighter. Afghanistan has shed a lot of blood over the centuries to earn itself the moniker ‘the graveyard of empires,’ writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of France24

The collapse no one and everyone saw coming

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 24, 2021
  • OTTAWA—It has been just over a week since the Taliban shocked the world with their blitzkrieg speed overthrow of the Afghan regime. The first

The collapse no one and everyone saw coming

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 24, 2021
  • OTTAWA—It has been just over a week since the Taliban shocked the world with their blitzkrieg speed overthrow of the Afghan regime. The first
No one can ever question the courage of the average Afghan fighter. Afghanistan has shed a lot of blood over the centuries to earn itself the moniker ‘the graveyard of empires,’ writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of France24

Reliance on ‘strongmen’ a weak strategy to repel Taliban

  • OTTAWA—At the time of writing, Afghan government security forces had completely collapsed without a fight and Taliban forces in Afghanistan were in control of
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 16, 2021
Afghan president Ashraf Ghani was appealing to ‘regional strongman’ Atta Muhammad Noor, pictured second from the left, to help prevent the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif, as part of his last-ditch appeal to help repulse the Taliban advances, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph by ISAF Public Affairs

Reliance on ‘strongmen’ a weak strategy to repel Taliban

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 16, 2021
  • OTTAWA—At the time of writing, Afghan government security forces had completely collapsed without a fight and Taliban forces in Afghanistan were in control of

Reliance on ‘strongmen’ a weak strategy to repel Taliban

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 16, 2021
  • OTTAWA—At the time of writing, Afghan government security forces had completely collapsed without a fight and Taliban forces in Afghanistan were in control of
Afghan president Ashraf Ghani was appealing to ‘regional strongman’ Atta Muhammad Noor, pictured second from the left, to help prevent the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif, as part of his last-ditch appeal to help repulse the Taliban advances, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph by ISAF Public Affairs

The legacy of Afghanistan, and the lessons not learned

  • OTTAWA—The mad scramble has begun in an effort to extricate those Afghans who will be at risk when the Taliban wrest control of Afghanistan
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 9, 2021
The last Canadians involved in the NATO training mission in Afghanistan board a Chinook helicopter to leave Kabul in March 2014. Sparked by demands from Canadian veterans of that war, the Liberal government has been hurriedly arranging flights and visas for Afghan civilians who were formerly employed as interpreters by our combat forces, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces/Cplc Patrick Blanchard

The legacy of Afghanistan, and the lessons not learned

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 9, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The mad scramble has begun in an effort to extricate those Afghans who will be at risk when the Taliban wrest control of Afghanistan

The legacy of Afghanistan, and the lessons not learned

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 9, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The mad scramble has begun in an effort to extricate those Afghans who will be at risk when the Taliban wrest control of Afghanistan
The last Canadians involved in the NATO training mission in Afghanistan board a Chinook helicopter to leave Kabul in March 2014. Sparked by demands from Canadian veterans of that war, the Liberal government has been hurriedly arranging flights and visas for Afghan civilians who were formerly employed as interpreters by our combat forces, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces/Cplc Patrick Blanchard

Learn lessons from Afghanistan withdrawal and get Canada out of Iraq

  • OTTAWA—The recent withdrawal of the bulk of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan has caused angst and consternation among the thousands of Canadian soldiers who
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 4, 2021
Canadian Armed Forces infantrymen deployed on Joint Task Force Operation Impact board a CC-130J Hercules for Iraq to begin their seven-month tour, at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on Nov. 27, 2019. In March, the feds quietly extended Canada’s own military commitment to Iraq, known as Operation Impact, until the end of March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Jerome Lessard

Learn lessons from Afghanistan withdrawal and get Canada out of Iraq

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 4, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The recent withdrawal of the bulk of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan has caused angst and consternation among the thousands of Canadian soldiers who

Learn lessons from Afghanistan withdrawal and get Canada out of Iraq

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 4, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The recent withdrawal of the bulk of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan has caused angst and consternation among the thousands of Canadian soldiers who
Canadian Armed Forces infantrymen deployed on Joint Task Force Operation Impact board a CC-130J Hercules for Iraq to begin their seven-month tour, at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on Nov. 27, 2019. In March, the feds quietly extended Canada’s own military commitment to Iraq, known as Operation Impact, until the end of March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Jerome Lessard

Amid work to bring interpreters to safety, tell the whole Afghanistan story

  • OTTAWA—The situation on the ground in Afghanistan continues to worsen for Afghan government troops attempting to contain a resurgent Taliban. Since the U.S. pulled
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 26, 2021
Master Corporal Daniel Choong helps stabilize Lieutenant Commander Gina Connor with her fire stance as she fires her C7 rifle during firing practice at the Kabul Military Training Centre range in Kabul, Afghanistan during Operation Attention on Oct. 30, 2013. DND photograph by Sgt. Norm McLean

Amid work to bring interpreters to safety, tell the whole Afghanistan story

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 26, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The situation on the ground in Afghanistan continues to worsen for Afghan government troops attempting to contain a resurgent Taliban. Since the U.S. pulled

Amid work to bring interpreters to safety, tell the whole Afghanistan story

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 26, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The situation on the ground in Afghanistan continues to worsen for Afghan government troops attempting to contain a resurgent Taliban. Since the U.S. pulled
Master Corporal Daniel Choong helps stabilize Lieutenant Commander Gina Connor with her fire stance as she fires her C7 rifle during firing practice at the Kabul Military Training Centre range in Kabul, Afghanistan during Operation Attention on Oct. 30, 2013. DND photograph by Sgt. Norm McLean

Is it time for Canada’s own war with the truth about Afghanistan?

  • OTTAWA—The news out of Afghanistan has gone from bad to worse since the American military virtually fled their main base at Bagram in the
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 20, 2021
Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre, the acting chief of the defence staff and Afghanistan veteran, issued a Forces-wide message on July 13, after the Taliban took the Afghanistan district of Panjwai, acknowledging that it 'has hit many of us particularly hard, and as we question our legacy, it serves as a harbinger for all Canadians who served in the country regardless of when and where.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is it time for Canada’s own war with the truth about Afghanistan?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 20, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The news out of Afghanistan has gone from bad to worse since the American military virtually fled their main base at Bagram in the

Is it time for Canada’s own war with the truth about Afghanistan?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 20, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The news out of Afghanistan has gone from bad to worse since the American military virtually fled their main base at Bagram in the
Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre, the acting chief of the defence staff and Afghanistan veteran, issued a Forces-wide message on July 13, after the Taliban took the Afghanistan district of Panjwai, acknowledging that it 'has hit many of us particularly hard, and as we question our legacy, it serves as a harbinger for all Canadians who served in the country regardless of when and where.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With U.S. departure, no one left to clean up mess made in Afghanistan

  • OTTAWA—Over the past few weeks, the news out of Afghanistan has not been very reassuring. In keeping with U.S. President Joe Biden’s election campaign
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 12, 2021
Almost exactly one decade after Canada withdrew, the Taliban officially rendered our soldiers’ sacrifice meaningless by retaking the ground which we had temporarily held, writes Scott Taylor, spurring an ask to fast track the immigration process for those Afghans who served as translators for the Canadian military. DND photograph by MCpl Dan Shouinard

With U.S. departure, no one left to clean up mess made in Afghanistan

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 12, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Over the past few weeks, the news out of Afghanistan has not been very reassuring. In keeping with U.S. President Joe Biden’s election campaign

With U.S. departure, no one left to clean up mess made in Afghanistan

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 12, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Over the past few weeks, the news out of Afghanistan has not been very reassuring. In keeping with U.S. President Joe Biden’s election campaign
Almost exactly one decade after Canada withdrew, the Taliban officially rendered our soldiers’ sacrifice meaningless by retaking the ground which we had temporarily held, writes Scott Taylor, spurring an ask to fast track the immigration process for those Afghans who served as translators for the Canadian military. DND photograph by MCpl Dan Shouinard

Questions remain over DND’s false Cyclone crash narrative

  • OTTAWA—On June 25, the Royal Canadian Air Force released its final report on the April 29, 2020, CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crash, which claimed the
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 5, 2021
Initial statements by both Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, left, and then-chief of defence staff General Jonathan Vance implied that the helicopter had crashed some distance from HMCS Fredericton, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Questions remain over DND’s false Cyclone crash narrative

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 5, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On June 25, the Royal Canadian Air Force released its final report on the April 29, 2020, CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crash, which claimed the

Questions remain over DND’s false Cyclone crash narrative

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 5, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On June 25, the Royal Canadian Air Force released its final report on the April 29, 2020, CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crash, which claimed the
Initial statements by both Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, left, and then-chief of defence staff General Jonathan Vance implied that the helicopter had crashed some distance from HMCS Fredericton, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Canadians not interested in military spy games

  • OTTAWA—It is now official. Last week, the Department of National Defence released the results of four separate internal investigations into the Canadian military’s recent
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 28, 2021
Canadians want their military to defend Canadian interests and uphold Canadian values at home and abroad. We do not want them spying on us, deceiving us, or trying to modify our behaviour, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

Canadians not interested in military spy games

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 28, 2021
  • OTTAWA—It is now official. Last week, the Department of National Defence released the results of four separate internal investigations into the Canadian military’s recent

Canadians not interested in military spy games

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 28, 2021
  • OTTAWA—It is now official. Last week, the Department of National Defence released the results of four separate internal investigations into the Canadian military’s recent
Canadians want their military to defend Canadian interests and uphold Canadian values at home and abroad. We do not want them spying on us, deceiving us, or trying to modify our behaviour, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

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