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Monday, December 15, 2025

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Scott Taylor

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

Between a rock and a hard place

  • Canada’s latest contribution to a Ukraine aid package will once again reward U.S. firms while the Trump administration is trying to force Ukraine to
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 8, 2025
Defence Minister David McGuinty. The money Canada and allies are donating to the Ukraine war effort is actually being spent in the U.S. to buy the weapons and ammunition that only the Americans can produce in the quantity necessary, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Between a rock and a hard place

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 8, 2025
  • Canada’s latest contribution to a Ukraine aid package will once again reward U.S. firms while the Trump administration is trying to force Ukraine to

Between a rock and a hard place

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 8, 2025
  • Canada’s latest contribution to a Ukraine aid package will once again reward U.S. firms while the Trump administration is trying to force Ukraine to
Defence Minister David McGuinty. The money Canada and allies are donating to the Ukraine war effort is actually being spent in the U.S. to buy the weapons and ammunition that only the Americans can produce in the quantity necessary, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

F-35 fighter purchase takes flak

  • The Air Force brass can’t control public perception and the longer this Gripen versus F-35 debate continues, the more people become aware of the
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 1, 2025
There appears to be some wiggle room for Canada to back out of the full program to buy American jets to replace Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18 Hornets, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt. Norm McLean

F-35 fighter purchase takes flak

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 1, 2025
  • The Air Force brass can’t control public perception and the longer this Gripen versus F-35 debate continues, the more people become aware of the

F-35 fighter purchase takes flak

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 1, 2025
  • The Air Force brass can’t control public perception and the longer this Gripen versus F-35 debate continues, the more people become aware of the
There appears to be some wiggle room for Canada to back out of the full program to buy American jets to replace Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18 Hornets, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt. Norm McLean

The future fighter debate

  • Saab’s fighter jet offer must be music to the ears of those Canadians who truly want to send a message of patriotic defiance to
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 24, 2025
The fight over who gets to replace Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18 Hornets heated up recently, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt. Norm McLean

The future fighter debate

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 24, 2025
  • Saab’s fighter jet offer must be music to the ears of those Canadians who truly want to send a message of patriotic defiance to

The future fighter debate

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 24, 2025
  • Saab’s fighter jet offer must be music to the ears of those Canadians who truly want to send a message of patriotic defiance to
The fight over who gets to replace Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18 Hornets heated up recently, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt. Norm McLean

Chief of defence staff in full retreat

  • To try and deny or diminish your own comments once they have been ridiculed in public is not good leadership.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 17, 2025
One has to wonder what sort of advice Chief of Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan is getting from her current legion of public affairs experts, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Chief of defence staff in full retreat

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 17, 2025
  • To try and deny or diminish your own comments once they have been ridiculed in public is not good leadership.

Chief of defence staff in full retreat

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 17, 2025
  • To try and deny or diminish your own comments once they have been ridiculed in public is not good leadership.
One has to wonder what sort of advice Chief of Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan is getting from her current legion of public affairs experts, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is our military ready to be a half a million strong?

  • Before looking to enlist hundreds of thousands more soldiers, the CAF needs to start taking proper care of those already in uniform.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 10, 2025
Jennie Carignan
Jennie Carignan
Chief of Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan recently told MPs that the Canadian Armed Forces is on track to recruit 7,000 personnel this fiscal year, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is our military ready to be a half a million strong?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 10, 2025
  • Before looking to enlist hundreds of thousands more soldiers, the CAF needs to start taking proper care of those already in uniform.

Is our military ready to be a half a million strong?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 10, 2025
  • Before looking to enlist hundreds of thousands more soldiers, the CAF needs to start taking proper care of those already in uniform.
Jennie Carignan
Chief of Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan recently told MPs that the Canadian Armed Forces is on track to recruit 7,000 personnel this fiscal year, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The CAF’s emotional apology for racism

  • The general consensus at the Oct. 30 ceremony was that this emotional apology is a starting point, not the closure of an historical chapter.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 3, 2025
Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan delivered the Canadian Armed Forces’ formal apology for racial discrimination and harassment suffered by current and former members of the military on Oct. 30. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The CAF’s emotional apology for racism

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 3, 2025
  • The general consensus at the Oct. 30 ceremony was that this emotional apology is a starting point, not the closure of an historical chapter.

The CAF’s emotional apology for racism

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 3, 2025
  • The general consensus at the Oct. 30 ceremony was that this emotional apology is a starting point, not the closure of an historical chapter.
Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan delivered the Canadian Armed Forces’ formal apology for racial discrimination and harassment suffered by current and former members of the military on Oct. 30. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Room for improvement in the CAF? Yeah, I’ll say

  • There is a time-honoured tradition when it comes to Canada's defence procurement: seeing is believing.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 27, 2025
Jennie Carignan
Jennie Carignan
Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan is doing her best to point to the progress being made, but the fact is that the Canadian military needs nearly everything in their inventory replaced—yesterday, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Room for improvement in the CAF? Yeah, I’ll say

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 27, 2025
  • There is a time-honoured tradition when it comes to Canada's defence procurement: seeing is believing.

Room for improvement in the CAF? Yeah, I’ll say

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 27, 2025
  • There is a time-honoured tradition when it comes to Canada's defence procurement: seeing is believing.
Jennie Carignan
Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan is doing her best to point to the progress being made, but the fact is that the Canadian military needs nearly everything in their inventory replaced—yesterday, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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
More Stories

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

Call in the RCMP to dig military police out of no-win scenario

  • OTTAWA—It was on Sunday, Feb. 2 that the current military sexual misconduct scandal first emerged. Global News reporter Mercedes Stephenson broke the story that
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2021
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki is pictured at September 2019 Ottawa press conference. The RCMP should be called in to conduct an independent investigation into the various misconduct allegations against military leaders, writes Scott Taylor, to pre-empt any public perception that the process is tainted. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Call in the RCMP to dig military police out of no-win scenario

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2021
  • OTTAWA—It was on Sunday, Feb. 2 that the current military sexual misconduct scandal first emerged. Global News reporter Mercedes Stephenson broke the story that

Call in the RCMP to dig military police out of no-win scenario

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2021
  • OTTAWA—It was on Sunday, Feb. 2 that the current military sexual misconduct scandal first emerged. Global News reporter Mercedes Stephenson broke the story that
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki is pictured at September 2019 Ottawa press conference. The RCMP should be called in to conduct an independent investigation into the various misconduct allegations against military leaders, writes Scott Taylor, to pre-empt any public perception that the process is tainted. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Memo reveals Iraq prophecy come to fruition

  • On June 9, the Canadian Press reported on a memo which they had obtained from the Department of National Defence under the Access-to-Information law.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 14, 2021
In a September 2018 column about the then-impending training mission, Scott Taylor included a side note to Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, pictured right with then-Major General Jennie Carignan at a November 2019 change of command ceremony in Iraq, which read: ‘I cannot wish you success in your mission because you are embarked on a fool’s errand. Training more Iraqis to kill in the name of a corrupt regime is insane.’ DND photograph by Cpl. Ryan Moulton

Memo reveals Iraq prophecy come to fruition

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 14, 2021
  • On June 9, the Canadian Press reported on a memo which they had obtained from the Department of National Defence under the Access-to-Information law.

Memo reveals Iraq prophecy come to fruition

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 14, 2021
  • On June 9, the Canadian Press reported on a memo which they had obtained from the Department of National Defence under the Access-to-Information law.
In a September 2018 column about the then-impending training mission, Scott Taylor included a side note to Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, pictured right with then-Major General Jennie Carignan at a November 2019 change of command ceremony in Iraq, which read: ‘I cannot wish you success in your mission because you are embarked on a fool’s errand. Training more Iraqis to kill in the name of a corrupt regime is insane.’ DND photograph by Cpl. Ryan Moulton

Papering over the ‘cracks’ not a long-term solution to CAF woes

  • OTTAWA—Last week, in an interview with the Canadian Press, Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre, Canada’s acting chief of the defence staff, admitted that the Canadian military
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2021
Brigadier-General Krista Brodie, left, was named the head of the country’s vaccine rollout effort, and Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan, right, was tapped as the new head of professional conduct and culture. These recent promotions will definitely change the face of the ‘old boys’ club,’ which was previously the composition of our senior military leadership. However, this in itself will not be enough to change an institutional culture that has been defined as highly sexualized, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of Parlvu, photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence

Papering over the ‘cracks’ not a long-term solution to CAF woes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, in an interview with the Canadian Press, Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre, Canada’s acting chief of the defence staff, admitted that the Canadian military

Papering over the ‘cracks’ not a long-term solution to CAF woes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, in an interview with the Canadian Press, Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre, Canada’s acting chief of the defence staff, admitted that the Canadian military
Brigadier-General Krista Brodie, left, was named the head of the country’s vaccine rollout effort, and Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan, right, was tapped as the new head of professional conduct and culture. These recent promotions will definitely change the face of the ‘old boys’ club,’ which was previously the composition of our senior military leadership. However, this in itself will not be enough to change an institutional culture that has been defined as highly sexualized, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of Parlvu, photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence

Lukashenko’s ‘lose-lose’ air caper

  • OTTAWA—On May 23, a Ryanair flight from Athens, Greece, en route to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted while in Belarus airspace and forced to land
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2021
If the flight diversion and arrest of Roman Protasevich was in fact an elaborate and diabolical plot conceived by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, he has to be one of the dumbest dictators to ever rule a country, writes Scott Taylor. Wikimedia Commons photograph by Serge Serebro

Lukashenko’s ‘lose-lose’ air caper

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On May 23, a Ryanair flight from Athens, Greece, en route to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted while in Belarus airspace and forced to land

Lukashenko’s ‘lose-lose’ air caper

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On May 23, a Ryanair flight from Athens, Greece, en route to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted while in Belarus airspace and forced to land
If the flight diversion and arrest of Roman Protasevich was in fact an elaborate and diabolical plot conceived by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, he has to be one of the dumbest dictators to ever rule a country, writes Scott Taylor. Wikimedia Commons photograph by Serge Serebro

Court of public opinion swifter than military investigative processes

  • OTTAWA—Late in the afternoon of Friday, May 14, the Department of National Defence issued a curt, three-line press release announcing that Major-General Dany Fortin
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2021
The Fortin saga has, of course, sparked the opposition parties to demand answers of who-knew-what-when among the top Trudeau Liberals, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Court of public opinion swifter than military investigative processes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Late in the afternoon of Friday, May 14, the Department of National Defence issued a curt, three-line press release announcing that Major-General Dany Fortin

Court of public opinion swifter than military investigative processes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Late in the afternoon of Friday, May 14, the Department of National Defence issued a curt, three-line press release announcing that Major-General Dany Fortin
The Fortin saga has, of course, sparked the opposition parties to demand answers of who-knew-what-when among the top Trudeau Liberals, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

See-no-evil approach puts good soldiers in a tough spot

  • OTTAWA—Last week, a very disturbing story surfaced in the media which once again clearly illustrates how the Canadian military leadership is totally out of
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 19, 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. On March 30, Canada extended Operation Impact, the mission to Iraq and the Middle East, for one more year. DND photograph by Cpl. Jerome Lessard

See-no-evil approach puts good soldiers in a tough spot

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 19, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, a very disturbing story surfaced in the media which once again clearly illustrates how the Canadian military leadership is totally out of

See-no-evil approach puts good soldiers in a tough spot

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 19, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, a very disturbing story surfaced in the media which once again clearly illustrates how the Canadian military leadership is totally out of
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. On March 30, Canada extended Operation Impact, the mission to Iraq and the Middle East, for one more year. DND photograph by Cpl. Jerome Lessard

Controversial parade not the way to honour Ukraine’s contribution to Second World War

  • OTTAWA—On April 28, approximately 250 people marched through the streets of Kiev, Ukraine, to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Second World War Waffen
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2021
A recruitment poster from a 1943 SS Galicia newspaper. For those who would paint the SS Galicia volunteers as fighters for Ukraine’s independence, this theory cannot be justified in view of the fact they actually fought against civilian patriots in Slovakia and Slovenia to enforce Hitler’s Nazi occupation, writes Scott Taylor. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Controversial parade not the way to honour Ukraine’s contribution to Second World War

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On April 28, approximately 250 people marched through the streets of Kiev, Ukraine, to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Second World War Waffen

Controversial parade not the way to honour Ukraine’s contribution to Second World War

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2021
  • OTTAWA—On April 28, approximately 250 people marched through the streets of Kiev, Ukraine, to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Second World War Waffen
A recruitment poster from a 1943 SS Galicia newspaper. For those who would paint the SS Galicia volunteers as fighters for Ukraine’s independence, this theory cannot be justified in view of the fact they actually fought against civilian patriots in Slovakia and Slovenia to enforce Hitler’s Nazi occupation, writes Scott Taylor. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Suffering from PTSD should not be a literal ‘get out of jail free’ card

  • OTTAWA—Last week, yet another disturbing story surfaced regarding the military and sexual misconduct. A retired Special Forces major told the CBC that he felt
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2021
One can easily understand the sense of betrayal Annalise and Kevin Schamuhn must have felt when they were victimized, and both Kevin’s commanding officer and his regimental officer showed support to his attacker, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Suffering from PTSD should not be a literal ‘get out of jail free’ card

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, yet another disturbing story surfaced regarding the military and sexual misconduct. A retired Special Forces major told the CBC that he felt

Suffering from PTSD should not be a literal ‘get out of jail free’ card

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, yet another disturbing story surfaced regarding the military and sexual misconduct. A retired Special Forces major told the CBC that he felt
One can easily understand the sense of betrayal Annalise and Kevin Schamuhn must have felt when they were victimized, and both Kevin’s commanding officer and his regimental officer showed support to his attacker, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

If allegations against Vance prove true, there’s a lot of explaining to do

  • OTTAWA—The more bombshell revelations that drop in the military sexual misconduct scandal, the more one understands the scale of the complicity of those who
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2021
Then-chief of defence staff General Jonathan Vance is pictured during a press conference on the Hill on April 30, 2020. If Brennan’s allegations prove to be true—and to be fair, Vance has maintained he has done nothing wrong, including fathering any of Brennan’s children—there will be a lot of people who will have some explaining to do, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If allegations against Vance prove true, there’s a lot of explaining to do

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The more bombshell revelations that drop in the military sexual misconduct scandal, the more one understands the scale of the complicity of those who

If allegations against Vance prove true, there’s a lot of explaining to do

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The more bombshell revelations that drop in the military sexual misconduct scandal, the more one understands the scale of the complicity of those who
Then-chief of defence staff General Jonathan Vance is pictured during a press conference on the Hill on April 30, 2020. If Brennan’s allegations prove to be true—and to be fair, Vance has maintained he has done nothing wrong, including fathering any of Brennan’s children—there will be a lot of people who will have some explaining to do, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

U.S. finally admitting defeat in unwinnable war

  • OTTAWA—Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden finally admitted that the war in Afghanistan is unwinnable. Starting in May, the remaining American troops—roughly 3,500—will begin
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2021
U.S. Army Capt. Kevin Mercer, the officer in charge of the 205th Corps Training Team, observes as an Afghan National Army trainer adjusts the site on an M-16 rifle in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Jan. 23, 2008. Without the martial ‘stiffening’ supplied by U.S. special forces and the availability of American air support, the Afghan security forces are no match for the Taliban, writes Scott Taylor. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David M. Votroubek

U.S. finally admitting defeat in unwinnable war

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden finally admitted that the war in Afghanistan is unwinnable. Starting in May, the remaining American troops—roughly 3,500—will begin

U.S. finally admitting defeat in unwinnable war

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden finally admitted that the war in Afghanistan is unwinnable. Starting in May, the remaining American troops—roughly 3,500—will begin
U.S. Army Capt. Kevin Mercer, the officer in charge of the 205th Corps Training Team, observes as an Afghan National Army trainer adjusts the site on an M-16 rifle in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Jan. 23, 2008. Without the martial ‘stiffening’ supplied by U.S. special forces and the availability of American air support, the Afghan security forces are no match for the Taliban, writes Scott Taylor. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David M. Votroubek

Finding proper leadership is only a matter of time

  • OTTAWA—The repetitious routine that has become the pandemic norm gives one the false sense that society has been put on hold. However, one need
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 12, 2021
Former chief of defence staff General Rick Hillier, pictured in April with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, right, and other Ontario government officials, left his role as head of the province’s vaccine distribution task force at the end of March. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Finding proper leadership is only a matter of time

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 12, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The repetitious routine that has become the pandemic norm gives one the false sense that society has been put on hold. However, one need

Finding proper leadership is only a matter of time

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 12, 2021
  • OTTAWA—The repetitious routine that has become the pandemic norm gives one the false sense that society has been put on hold. However, one need
Former chief of defence staff General Rick Hillier, pictured in April with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, right, and other Ontario government officials, left his role as head of the province’s vaccine distribution task force at the end of March. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Aesthetic display of skills not worth the human, financial cost

  • OTTAWA—In the past week, the RCAF’s famed Snowbirds air demonstration squadron has found itself in the media spotlight on two separate occasions. The first
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2021
The Tutor training planes are unarmed and cannot in any way contribute to the defence of our nation. Plus, by their very nature, acrobatic formation stunt fliers put themselves and their aircraft at great risk, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sergeant Robert Bottrill

Aesthetic display of skills not worth the human, financial cost

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2021
  • OTTAWA—In the past week, the RCAF’s famed Snowbirds air demonstration squadron has found itself in the media spotlight on two separate occasions. The first

Aesthetic display of skills not worth the human, financial cost

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2021
  • OTTAWA—In the past week, the RCAF’s famed Snowbirds air demonstration squadron has found itself in the media spotlight on two separate occasions. The first
The Tutor training planes are unarmed and cannot in any way contribute to the defence of our nation. Plus, by their very nature, acrobatic formation stunt fliers put themselves and their aircraft at great risk, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sergeant Robert Bottrill

CAF crisis a case study in attracting the wrong kind of global focus

  • OTTAWA—This past week saw the burgeoning military sexual misconduct scandal continue to spiral out of control. Inspired by what many are referring to as
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2021
In a March 10 Facebook video, retired Corporal Sherry Bordage outlined her experience with sexual assault in the military, the latest in a string of survivors coming forward as part of the Canadian Armed Forces’ 'Me Too' moment, as victims who were long silenced and sidelined are finding their voice, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of Facebook

CAF crisis a case study in attracting the wrong kind of global focus

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2021
  • OTTAWA—This past week saw the burgeoning military sexual misconduct scandal continue to spiral out of control. Inspired by what many are referring to as

CAF crisis a case study in attracting the wrong kind of global focus

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2021
  • OTTAWA—This past week saw the burgeoning military sexual misconduct scandal continue to spiral out of control. Inspired by what many are referring to as
In a March 10 Facebook video, retired Corporal Sherry Bordage outlined her experience with sexual assault in the military, the latest in a string of survivors coming forward as part of the Canadian Armed Forces’ 'Me Too' moment, as victims who were long silenced and sidelined are finding their voice, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of Facebook

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