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Saturday, February 7, 2026

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Scott Taylor

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

U.S. envoy is making Canada’s F-35 decision a no-brainer

  • We need to cancel the remainder of the F-35 purchase, pivot to Saab, and bolster our domestic aviation industry.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 2, 2026
Pete Hoekstra
Pete Hoekstra
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, left, says Canadians could face consequences if they don’t move forward with the full purchase of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to replace the aging C-18s. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and DND photograph by Sgt Norm McLean

U.S. envoy is making Canada’s F-35 decision a no-brainer

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 2, 2026
  • We need to cancel the remainder of the F-35 purchase, pivot to Saab, and bolster our domestic aviation industry.

U.S. envoy is making Canada’s F-35 decision a no-brainer

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 2, 2026
  • We need to cancel the remainder of the F-35 purchase, pivot to Saab, and bolster our domestic aviation industry.
Pete Hoekstra
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, left, says Canadians could face consequences if they don’t move forward with the full purchase of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to replace the aging C-18s. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and DND photograph by Sgt Norm McLean

In defence of Canada

  • It’s truly insane that the Canadian military is having to war game such a heretofore unfathomable scenario of a looming U.S. invasion.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 26, 2026
David McGuinty
David McGuinty
Defence Minister David McGuinty. The Liberals pulled a few clever moves to boost defence spending on an urgent basis, but we’re still not adding actual combat capability or modernizing existing aged weapon platforms, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In defence of Canada

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 26, 2026
  • It’s truly insane that the Canadian military is having to war game such a heretofore unfathomable scenario of a looming U.S. invasion.

In defence of Canada

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 26, 2026
  • It’s truly insane that the Canadian military is having to war game such a heretofore unfathomable scenario of a looming U.S. invasion.
David McGuinty
Defence Minister David McGuinty. The Liberals pulled a few clever moves to boost defence spending on an urgent basis, but we’re still not adding actual combat capability or modernizing existing aged weapon platforms, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New helicopters on the horizon

  • The good news for aviation buffs is the plan envisions a mixed fleet of distinctly different types of helicopters to support the Army.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 19, 2026
We are being told that the Air Force will see a return to a ‘balanced fleet concept’ for the Army's rotary aircraft, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet

New helicopters on the horizon

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 19, 2026
  • The good news for aviation buffs is the plan envisions a mixed fleet of distinctly different types of helicopters to support the Army.

New helicopters on the horizon

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 19, 2026
  • The good news for aviation buffs is the plan envisions a mixed fleet of distinctly different types of helicopters to support the Army.
We are being told that the Air Force will see a return to a ‘balanced fleet concept’ for the Army's rotary aircraft, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet

How to foil Trump’s annexation of Greenland

  • NATO leaders should immediately offer the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland permanent membership in the alliance.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 13, 2026
The Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Triton passes an iceberg in the waters around Greenland. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr

How to foil Trump’s annexation of Greenland

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 13, 2026
  • NATO leaders should immediately offer the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland permanent membership in the alliance.

How to foil Trump’s annexation of Greenland

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 13, 2026
  • NATO leaders should immediately offer the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland permanent membership in the alliance.
The Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Triton passes an iceberg in the waters around Greenland. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr

All eyes on the Arctic

  • Canada may now have to play catch-up on procuring vessels to protect the North after years of passing up projects.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 6, 2026
Angus Topshee
Angus Topshee
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, recently spoke to CBC News about the value of acquiring an amphibious ship for the North. DND photograph by Corporal Connor Bennett

All eyes on the Arctic

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 6, 2026
  • Canada may now have to play catch-up on procuring vessels to protect the North after years of passing up projects.

All eyes on the Arctic

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 6, 2026
  • Canada may now have to play catch-up on procuring vessels to protect the North after years of passing up projects.
Angus Topshee
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, recently spoke to CBC News about the value of acquiring an amphibious ship for the North. DND photograph by Corporal Connor Bennett

In Canada’s defence: re-establishing a true militia

  • Instead of disarming law-abiding gun owners across Canada, why not offer them the opportunity to enlist in a supplementary reserve by taking an oath
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 29, 2025
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. The hare-brained scheme to coerce reluctant civil servants into a third-rate volunteer force comes from the same government that is intent on disarming registered and law-abiding gun owners across Canada, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In Canada’s defence: re-establishing a true militia

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 29, 2025
  • Instead of disarming law-abiding gun owners across Canada, why not offer them the opportunity to enlist in a supplementary reserve by taking an oath

In Canada’s defence: re-establishing a true militia

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 29, 2025
  • Instead of disarming law-abiding gun owners across Canada, why not offer them the opportunity to enlist in a supplementary reserve by taking an oath
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. The hare-brained scheme to coerce reluctant civil servants into a third-rate volunteer force comes from the same government that is intent on disarming registered and law-abiding gun owners across Canada, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The rush to re-arm the Army

  • As military defence procurements go, the plan to purchase new rifles for the CAF is something of a no-brainer.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 15, 2025
If the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle program were ramped up, the country would actually have the genesis of a national defence force worthy of the name, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Private Kareen Brochu-Harvey

The rush to re-arm the Army

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 15, 2025
  • As military defence procurements go, the plan to purchase new rifles for the CAF is something of a no-brainer.

The rush to re-arm the Army

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 15, 2025
  • As military defence procurements go, the plan to purchase new rifles for the CAF is something of a no-brainer.
If the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle program were ramped up, the country would actually have the genesis of a national defence force worthy of the name, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Private Kareen Brochu-Harvey

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
More Stories

Trump’s pressuring of Ukraine is foreign interference on steroids

  • OTTAWA—Now that we are in the midst of our federal election, Canadians are constantly reminded by our security agencies that foreign “malign actors” are
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 2, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured, is now facing an impeachment inquiry following a whistleblower’s complaint alleging the president had attempted 'to solicit interference' from Ukraine in advance of the 2020 elections in the U.S.A., writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore

Trump’s pressuring of Ukraine is foreign interference on steroids

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 2, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Now that we are in the midst of our federal election, Canadians are constantly reminded by our security agencies that foreign “malign actors” are

Trump’s pressuring of Ukraine is foreign interference on steroids

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 2, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Now that we are in the midst of our federal election, Canadians are constantly reminded by our security agencies that foreign “malign actors” are
U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured, is now facing an impeachment inquiry following a whistleblower’s complaint alleging the president had attempted 'to solicit interference' from Ukraine in advance of the 2020 elections in the U.S.A., writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore

Recent strikes on Saudi oil production are a global concern

  • OTTAWA—On Sept. 14, there were a series of missile and drone attacks that struck Saudi Arabian oil processing facilities near the city of Abqaiq.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2019
In the wake of the latest strike on Saudi oil production, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, pictured at a press conference in Ottawa with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland in August, has reaffirmed the position that America is firmly backing Saudi Arabia and that all possible means of military retaliation against Iran are on the table. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Recent strikes on Saudi oil production are a global concern

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Sept. 14, there were a series of missile and drone attacks that struck Saudi Arabian oil processing facilities near the city of Abqaiq.

Recent strikes on Saudi oil production are a global concern

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Sept. 14, there were a series of missile and drone attacks that struck Saudi Arabian oil processing facilities near the city of Abqaiq.
In the wake of the latest strike on Saudi oil production, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, pictured at a press conference in Ottawa with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland in August, has reaffirmed the position that America is firmly backing Saudi Arabia and that all possible means of military retaliation against Iran are on the table. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s cancellation of Taliban peace talks means indefinite continuation of unwinnable war

  • OTTAWA—In the days leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, U.S. President Donald Trump sent out a bizarre tweet claiming that he had just
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2019
Trump will spin this whole cancellation and claim that this incident only proves he is still a master negotiator who was not intimidated by the Taliban’s continued campaign of terror, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Trump’s cancellation of Taliban peace talks means indefinite continuation of unwinnable war

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In the days leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, U.S. President Donald Trump sent out a bizarre tweet claiming that he had just

Trump’s cancellation of Taliban peace talks means indefinite continuation of unwinnable war

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In the days leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, U.S. President Donald Trump sent out a bizarre tweet claiming that he had just
Trump will spin this whole cancellation and claim that this incident only proves he is still a master negotiator who was not intimidated by the Taliban’s continued campaign of terror, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Canadian soldiers shouldn’t be props in controversial commemoration

  • OTTAWA—There was a bizarre little story last week out of Ukraine, which was picked up by Radio-Canada International. It centred on Canada’s official participation
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2019
Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk and at least three uniformed Canadian military personnel took part in the formal ceremony dedicating a new monument in honour of 17 members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) who were allegedly executed by the German Gestapo in 1944 on Aug. 21. Photograph courtesy of Roman Waschuk’s Twitter

Canadian soldiers shouldn’t be props in controversial commemoration

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There was a bizarre little story last week out of Ukraine, which was picked up by Radio-Canada International. It centred on Canada’s official participation

Canadian soldiers shouldn’t be props in controversial commemoration

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There was a bizarre little story last week out of Ukraine, which was picked up by Radio-Canada International. It centred on Canada’s official participation
Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk and at least three uniformed Canadian military personnel took part in the formal ceremony dedicating a new monument in honour of 17 members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) who were allegedly executed by the German Gestapo in 1944 on Aug. 21. Photograph courtesy of Roman Waschuk’s Twitter

Military was too slow to act after finding hate group recruiter in its ranks

  • OTTAWA—The saga of Master Cpl. Patrik Mathews continues to be a puzzler, with a plethora of unanswered questions. What we do know for sure
News | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2019
Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, pictured speaking to reporters in West Block on June 17, 2019, has said reservist Patrik Mathews was under investigation by the military’s counter-intelligence unit. So why, asks Scott Taylor, did his local brigade commander say they were unaware of his extra-curricular activities until a newspaper reporter went undercover and reported them? The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Military was too slow to act after finding hate group recruiter in its ranks

News | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—The saga of Master Cpl. Patrik Mathews continues to be a puzzler, with a plethora of unanswered questions. What we do know for sure

Military was too slow to act after finding hate group recruiter in its ranks

News | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—The saga of Master Cpl. Patrik Mathews continues to be a puzzler, with a plethora of unanswered questions. What we do know for sure
Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, pictured speaking to reporters in West Block on June 17, 2019, has said reservist Patrik Mathews was under investigation by the military’s counter-intelligence unit. So why, asks Scott Taylor, did his local brigade commander say they were unaware of his extra-curricular activities until a newspaper reporter went undercover and reported them? The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadian military needs to do more to quash sexual misconduct among its ranks

  • OTTAWA—On Aug. 13, the Canadian Armed Forces tabled a report which reflected some progress is being made towards reducing rampant sexual misconduct in the
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2019
Dutch and Canadian air crew watch a training exercise off the flight deck of the Dutch ship Evertsen in the Adriatic Sea during Operation Reassurance, on May 20, 2019. Based on the latest report, it remains crystal clear that the Canadian military has a huge problem with sexual misconduct, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. Daan Meijerman

Canadian military needs to do more to quash sexual misconduct among its ranks

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Aug. 13, the Canadian Armed Forces tabled a report which reflected some progress is being made towards reducing rampant sexual misconduct in the

Canadian military needs to do more to quash sexual misconduct among its ranks

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Aug. 13, the Canadian Armed Forces tabled a report which reflected some progress is being made towards reducing rampant sexual misconduct in the
Dutch and Canadian air crew watch a training exercise off the flight deck of the Dutch ship Evertsen in the Adriatic Sea during Operation Reassurance, on May 20, 2019. Based on the latest report, it remains crystal clear that the Canadian military has a huge problem with sexual misconduct, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. Daan Meijerman

Banning tattooed soldiers only scratches the surface of potential problem recruits

  • OTTAWA—What started out as an almost comical, albeit embarrassing, incident in Halifax has led the Canadian Armed Forces to once again amend their policy
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2019
On Aug. 12, Gen. Jonathan Vance issued new guidelines warning against tattoos on military members of anything considered to be sexually explicit, discriminatory, racist, extremist, homophobic, misogynistic, sexist, or evidence of membership in a criminal organization. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

Banning tattooed soldiers only scratches the surface of potential problem recruits

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2019
  • OTTAWA—What started out as an almost comical, albeit embarrassing, incident in Halifax has led the Canadian Armed Forces to once again amend their policy

Banning tattooed soldiers only scratches the surface of potential problem recruits

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2019
  • OTTAWA—What started out as an almost comical, albeit embarrassing, incident in Halifax has led the Canadian Armed Forces to once again amend their policy
On Aug. 12, Gen. Jonathan Vance issued new guidelines warning against tattoos on military members of anything considered to be sexually explicit, discriminatory, racist, extremist, homophobic, misogynistic, sexist, or evidence of membership in a criminal organization. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

Liberal lip service to peacekeeping didn’t live up to election pledge

  • OTTAWA—Aug. 9 was National Peacekeepers’ Day, and in honour of this momentous occasion Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted out the following message: “Canadian Peacekeepers
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2019
Members of the Mali Task Force are pictured during the Operation Presence medals parade at Camp Castor on June 8, 2019. Despite a Liberal promise to have Canada play a significant role in UN peacekeeping efforts, not extending the Mali mission comes in stark contrast to the rapidity with which Canada has been extending all of our current non-UN foreign military deployments, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. François Charest

Liberal lip service to peacekeeping didn’t live up to election pledge

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Aug. 9 was National Peacekeepers’ Day, and in honour of this momentous occasion Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted out the following message: “Canadian Peacekeepers

Liberal lip service to peacekeeping didn’t live up to election pledge

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Aug. 9 was National Peacekeepers’ Day, and in honour of this momentous occasion Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted out the following message: “Canadian Peacekeepers
Members of the Mali Task Force are pictured during the Operation Presence medals parade at Camp Castor on June 8, 2019. Despite a Liberal promise to have Canada play a significant role in UN peacekeeping efforts, not extending the Mali mission comes in stark contrast to the rapidity with which Canada has been extending all of our current non-UN foreign military deployments, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. François Charest

Damage control: China pulls out all the stops in an effort to denounce international claims of human rights abuse

  • XINJIANG, CHINA—In early July, a group of 22 countries, including Canada, Japan, the U.K., France, and Australia, signed a letter to the United Nations
Feature | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
Traditional dance routines are taught to the Uighur students of vocational schools—alleged to be re-education detention camps by the West—in Xinjiang, China, complete with elaborate costumes and a fog machine. A week-long media tour featured numerous cultural displays to counter international claims Uighur culture is being suppressed. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor

Damage control: China pulls out all the stops in an effort to denounce international claims of human rights abuse

Feature | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
  • XINJIANG, CHINA—In early July, a group of 22 countries, including Canada, Japan, the U.K., France, and Australia, signed a letter to the United Nations

Damage control: China pulls out all the stops in an effort to denounce international claims of human rights abuse

Feature | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
  • XINJIANG, CHINA—In early July, a group of 22 countries, including Canada, Japan, the U.K., France, and Australia, signed a letter to the United Nations
Traditional dance routines are taught to the Uighur students of vocational schools—alleged to be re-education detention camps by the West—in Xinjiang, China, complete with elaborate costumes and a fog machine. A week-long media tour featured numerous cultural displays to counter international claims Uighur culture is being suppressed. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor

Cenotaph rededication a reminder of an unjustified sacrifice

  • OTTAWA—On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Department of National Defence will host a dedication ceremony for what has come to be known as the Kandahar
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. It will be rededicated that the DND headquarters on Aug. 17. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Cenotaph rededication a reminder of an unjustified sacrifice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Department of National Defence will host a dedication ceremony for what has come to be known as the Kandahar

Cenotaph rededication a reminder of an unjustified sacrifice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Department of National Defence will host a dedication ceremony for what has come to be known as the Kandahar
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. It will be rededicated that the DND headquarters on Aug. 17. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Open mouth, insert sock: foreign actors have no need for trumped-up Trump framing

  • OTTAWA—For years now we have been told by various Western intelligence agencies that Russia is using social media platforms to interfere in foreign elections
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 31, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured at the White House on July 22, 2019, bids farewell to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Trump blew up a storm of controversy during an Oval Office meeting with Mr. Khan after he told reporters that he could win the war in Afghanistan within a week by simply blowing it ‘off the face of the earth.’ White House photograph courtesy of Shealah Craighead

Open mouth, insert sock: foreign actors have no need for trumped-up Trump framing

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 31, 2019
  • OTTAWA—For years now we have been told by various Western intelligence agencies that Russia is using social media platforms to interfere in foreign elections

Open mouth, insert sock: foreign actors have no need for trumped-up Trump framing

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 31, 2019
  • OTTAWA—For years now we have been told by various Western intelligence agencies that Russia is using social media platforms to interfere in foreign elections
U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured at the White House on July 22, 2019, bids farewell to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Trump blew up a storm of controversy during an Oval Office meeting with Mr. Khan after he told reporters that he could win the war in Afghanistan within a week by simply blowing it ‘off the face of the earth.’ White House photograph courtesy of Shealah Craighead

There are no easy labels in the Omar Khadr saga

  • OTTAWA—There is continued debate about how and why the widow of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan could lay claim to the $10.5-million payout,
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2019
Omar Khadr was 15 when he went to Guantano Bay, and eight years later plead guilty to murder in violation of the law of war, which he later recanted. Scott Taylor writes that he has always been perplexed that the U.S. authorities could consider a soldier killed in battle to have been murdered. Screenshot courtesy of CBC’s The National

There are no easy labels in the Omar Khadr saga

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There is continued debate about how and why the widow of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan could lay claim to the $10.5-million payout,

There are no easy labels in the Omar Khadr saga

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There is continued debate about how and why the widow of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan could lay claim to the $10.5-million payout,
Omar Khadr was 15 when he went to Guantano Bay, and eight years later plead guilty to murder in violation of the law of war, which he later recanted. Scott Taylor writes that he has always been perplexed that the U.S. authorities could consider a soldier killed in battle to have been murdered. Screenshot courtesy of CBC’s The National

Honouring our fallen is a noble exercise—but so is questioning the fight

  • OTTAWA—Back in mid-May, the Department of National Defence blew up a media storm of controversy when they held a private dedication ceremony for what
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2019
Lt.-Col. Mark Chinner lays a wreath during a 2016 Remembrance Day ceremony at the Afghanistan Memorial at 12 Wing Shearwater, N.S. Controversy over the location and dedication of the repatriated Kandahar cenotaph in Ottawa has raised other questions about how the government honours fallen soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by LS Brad Upshall

Honouring our fallen is a noble exercise—but so is questioning the fight

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Back in mid-May, the Department of National Defence blew up a media storm of controversy when they held a private dedication ceremony for what

Honouring our fallen is a noble exercise—but so is questioning the fight

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Back in mid-May, the Department of National Defence blew up a media storm of controversy when they held a private dedication ceremony for what
Lt.-Col. Mark Chinner lays a wreath during a 2016 Remembrance Day ceremony at the Afghanistan Memorial at 12 Wing Shearwater, N.S. Controversy over the location and dedication of the repatriated Kandahar cenotaph in Ottawa has raised other questions about how the government honours fallen soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by LS Brad Upshall

Military second-in-command shouldn’t be praised for making a beneficial personal choice

  • OTTAWA—On July 1, Postmedia broke the story that Canada’s Vice Chief of the Defence Staff has been collecting benefits, known as an imposed restriction
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2019
National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Lt.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk, vice chief of the defence staff, attend the Ukrainian community’s Canadian Armed Forces appreciation evening in February. The official statement from DND about Wynnyk’s benefits makes it sound like he was volunteering his time to serve Canada out of the goodness of his heart, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Military second-in-command shouldn’t be praised for making a beneficial personal choice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On July 1, Postmedia broke the story that Canada’s Vice Chief of the Defence Staff has been collecting benefits, known as an imposed restriction

Military second-in-command shouldn’t be praised for making a beneficial personal choice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On July 1, Postmedia broke the story that Canada’s Vice Chief of the Defence Staff has been collecting benefits, known as an imposed restriction
National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Lt.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk, vice chief of the defence staff, attend the Ukrainian community’s Canadian Armed Forces appreciation evening in February. The official statement from DND about Wynnyk’s benefits makes it sound like he was volunteering his time to serve Canada out of the goodness of his heart, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Here’s hoping for success in Iraq—whatever that is

  • OTTAWA—On Wednesday, June 26, the government of Canada announced that we are extending the current mission in Iraq by a full 12 months, to
Feature | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2019
Brigadier-General Jennie Carignan, pictured in April visiting the flooded areas in Gatineau, Que., will assume the rank of major-general and command of the Canada-led NATO Mission Iraq in the fall. DND photograph by Pte. Hugo Montpetit

Here’s hoping for success in Iraq—whatever that is

Feature | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Wednesday, June 26, the government of Canada announced that we are extending the current mission in Iraq by a full 12 months, to

Here’s hoping for success in Iraq—whatever that is

Feature | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Wednesday, June 26, the government of Canada announced that we are extending the current mission in Iraq by a full 12 months, to
Brigadier-General Jennie Carignan, pictured in April visiting the flooded areas in Gatineau, Que., will assume the rank of major-general and command of the Canada-led NATO Mission Iraq in the fall. DND photograph by Pte. Hugo Montpetit

Navy SEAL court martial may be a futile exercise, thanks to executive intervention

  • OTTAWA—In the summer of 2017, Canadian Special Forces operatives were deployed to northern Iraq to act as advisors to Kurdish militia who were battling
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump has already intervened once in the case of a Navy SEAL on trial for several serious charges, including murder, for alleged actions in Iraq. Flickr photograph by Gage Skidmore

Navy SEAL court martial may be a futile exercise, thanks to executive intervention

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In the summer of 2017, Canadian Special Forces operatives were deployed to northern Iraq to act as advisors to Kurdish militia who were battling

Navy SEAL court martial may be a futile exercise, thanks to executive intervention

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In the summer of 2017, Canadian Special Forces operatives were deployed to northern Iraq to act as advisors to Kurdish militia who were battling
U.S. President Donald Trump has already intervened once in the case of a Navy SEAL on trial for several serious charges, including murder, for alleged actions in Iraq. Flickr photograph by Gage Skidmore

It’s time to dangle more than financial carrots to keep our fighter pilots

  • OTTAWA—On June 10, Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, sent out a message to all personnel outlining several new
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
A CF-188 Hornet pilot prepares for take off from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania during Operation REASSURANCE in November 2018. When in Canada, fighter pilots are based in northern Alberta and Quebec, but maybe it’s time to allow them to be stationed in more-urban centres, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Dominic Duchesne-Beaulieu

It’s time to dangle more than financial carrots to keep our fighter pilots

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On June 10, Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, sent out a message to all personnel outlining several new

It’s time to dangle more than financial carrots to keep our fighter pilots

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On June 10, Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, sent out a message to all personnel outlining several new
A CF-188 Hornet pilot prepares for take off from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania during Operation REASSURANCE in November 2018. When in Canada, fighter pilots are based in northern Alberta and Quebec, but maybe it’s time to allow them to be stationed in more-urban centres, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Dominic Duchesne-Beaulieu

If Trump wants Americans out of Cuba, start by closing Gitmo

  • OTTAWA—On June 4, the Trump administration made the surprise announcement that it was imposing a new set of travel restrictions on Americans wishing to
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the new travel restrictions to Cuba are the result of the island nation ‘propping up’ American adversaries in Venezuela and Nicaragua. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks

If Trump wants Americans out of Cuba, start by closing Gitmo

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On June 4, the Trump administration made the surprise announcement that it was imposing a new set of travel restrictions on Americans wishing to

If Trump wants Americans out of Cuba, start by closing Gitmo

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On June 4, the Trump administration made the surprise announcement that it was imposing a new set of travel restrictions on Americans wishing to
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the new travel restrictions to Cuba are the result of the island nation ‘propping up’ American adversaries in Venezuela and Nicaragua. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks

Feds, Irving need to clean up their act and find a better PR move than threatening reporters

  • OTTAWA—Last week the Globe and Mail broke the story about Irving Shipbuilding being allowed to claim a $40-million industrial benefit for a french fry
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
The departments headed by National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Public Services and Procurement Minister Carla Qualtrough, and Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains need a better response to the practice of turning over reporters’ information to private companies, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds, Irving need to clean up their act and find a better PR move than threatening reporters

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Last week the Globe and Mail broke the story about Irving Shipbuilding being allowed to claim a $40-million industrial benefit for a french fry

Feds, Irving need to clean up their act and find a better PR move than threatening reporters

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Last week the Globe and Mail broke the story about Irving Shipbuilding being allowed to claim a $40-million industrial benefit for a french fry
The departments headed by National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Public Services and Procurement Minister Carla Qualtrough, and Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains need a better response to the practice of turning over reporters’ information to private companies, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Move Kandahar monument to Beechwood National Memorial Centre to save face

  • OTTAWA—On Monday, May 13, a low-key, invitation-only, VIP ceremony took place at the Department of National Defence’s new Carling Campus. This was held to
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. After its relocation to DND's publicly inaccessible headquarters received backlash, Chief of Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, vowed to 'turn this around.' Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Move Kandahar monument to Beechwood National Memorial Centre to save face

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Monday, May 13, a low-key, invitation-only, VIP ceremony took place at the Department of National Defence’s new Carling Campus. This was held to

Move Kandahar monument to Beechwood National Memorial Centre to save face

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Monday, May 13, a low-key, invitation-only, VIP ceremony took place at the Department of National Defence’s new Carling Campus. This was held to
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. After its relocation to DND's publicly inaccessible headquarters received backlash, Chief of Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, vowed to 'turn this around.' Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

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