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Monday, September 8, 2025

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Scott Taylor

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

Are we offering human bait in Ukraine?

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

Are we offering human bait in Ukraine?

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

Are we offering human bait in Ukraine?

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

The hits keep coming for the CAF

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

The hits keep coming for the CAF

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

The hits keep coming for the CAF

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

The case for making national service mandatory

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

The case for making national service mandatory

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

The case for making national service mandatory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Armed Forces’ selective accountability

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

The Armed Forces’ selective accountability

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

The Armed Forces’ selective accountability

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

Sniffing out alleged terrorists in the military’s ranks

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

Sniffing out alleged terrorists in the military’s ranks

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

Sniffing out alleged terrorists in the military’s ranks

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

Standing on ceremony

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

Standing on ceremony

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

Standing on ceremony

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is the CAF past the point of no return?

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

Is the CAF past the point of no return?

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

Is the CAF past the point of no return?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time to walk the walk

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

Time to walk the walk

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

Time to walk the walk

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

Carney’s CAF spending spree

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

Carney’s CAF spending spree

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

Carney’s CAF spending spree

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The misadventures of Navy procurement

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

The misadventures of Navy procurement

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

The misadventures of Navy procurement

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

Soldiers left out in the cold—again

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

Soldiers left out in the cold—again

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

Soldiers left out in the cold—again

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

New defence minister, same old woes

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

New defence minister, same old woes

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

New defence minister, same old woes

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

Martial pride on parade

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

Martial pride on parade

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

Martial pride on parade

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

Can the Canadian Forces avoid getting goosed by wild geese?

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

Can the Canadian Forces avoid getting goosed by wild geese?

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

Can the Canadian Forces avoid getting goosed by wild geese?

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

Canada’s sub-standard submarines

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

Canada’s sub-standard submarines

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

Canada’s sub-standard submarines

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

Federal election brings new crop of defence promises to break

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

Federal election brings new crop of defence promises to break

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

Federal election brings new crop of defence promises to break

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

There goes the neighbourhood

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

There goes the neighbourhood

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

There goes the neighbourhood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Does the military have room to get its elbows up?

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

Does the military have room to get its elbows up?

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

Does the military have room to get its elbows up?

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

Another major procurement project FUBAR

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

Another major procurement project FUBAR

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

Another major procurement project FUBAR

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

Trumped again

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

Trumped again

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

Trumped again

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

Casting a wider recruiting net

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

Casting a wider recruiting net

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

Casting a wider recruiting net

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

In a Trump world, Canada’s Baltic force less protected

  • OTTAWA—Now that the dust has settled in Cleveland following the United States Republican Party National Convention, it is time for the world to start
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 27, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alongside Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance, meet with Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis and his officials during the NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland, July 9. Canada is set to lead a NATO troop deployment in Latvia. PMO photograph by Adam Scotti

In a Trump world, Canada’s Baltic force less protected

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 27, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Now that the dust has settled in Cleveland following the United States Republican Party National Convention, it is time for the world to start

In a Trump world, Canada’s Baltic force less protected

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 27, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Now that the dust has settled in Cleveland following the United States Republican Party National Convention, it is time for the world to start
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alongside Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance, meet with Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis and his officials during the NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland, July 9. Canada is set to lead a NATO troop deployment in Latvia. PMO photograph by Adam Scotti

Canadian sacrifice in Korean War not in vain

  • OTTAWA—From the Canadian military’s perspective, the Korean War is one of the very few post-Second World War international combat interventions that have been truly
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 20, 2016
The skyline in Seoul, Korea. The scale of the city’s urbanization was simply astounding, writes Scott Taylor. Flickr photograph by Tracy Hunter

Canadian sacrifice in Korean War not in vain

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 20, 2016
  • OTTAWA—From the Canadian military’s perspective, the Korean War is one of the very few post-Second World War international combat interventions that have been truly

Canadian sacrifice in Korean War not in vain

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 20, 2016
  • OTTAWA—From the Canadian military’s perspective, the Korean War is one of the very few post-Second World War international combat interventions that have been truly
The skyline in Seoul, Korea. The scale of the city’s urbanization was simply astounding, writes Scott Taylor. Flickr photograph by Tracy Hunter

New mission in Africa? Why not fix the mess in Libya, Afghanistan first

  • OTTAWA—Last Thursday, Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance presided over a rain-soaked ceremony on Parliament Hill to formally recognize the change of command
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 20, 2016
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance inspects troops during a change-of-command ceremony for the commander of the Canadian Army on Parliament Hill on July 14. Canadian Army photograph by Cpl. Andrew Wesley

New mission in Africa? Why not fix the mess in Libya, Afghanistan first

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 20, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Last Thursday, Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance presided over a rain-soaked ceremony on Parliament Hill to formally recognize the change of command

New mission in Africa? Why not fix the mess in Libya, Afghanistan first

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 20, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Last Thursday, Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance presided over a rain-soaked ceremony on Parliament Hill to formally recognize the change of command
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance inspects troops during a change-of-command ceremony for the commander of the Canadian Army on Parliament Hill on July 14. Canadian Army photograph by Cpl. Andrew Wesley

Iraq’s divisions run deep

  • OTTAWA—With the release last week of Sir John Chilcot’s damning report on the United Kingdom’s role in the Iraq war and its aftermath—which concluded
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 13, 2016
A Kurdish peshmerga soldier participates in training near Irbil, Iraq, Oct. 29, 2015. U.S. Army photograph by Spc. Tristan Bolden

Iraq’s divisions run deep

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 13, 2016
  • OTTAWA—With the release last week of Sir John Chilcot’s damning report on the United Kingdom’s role in the Iraq war and its aftermath—which concluded

Iraq’s divisions run deep

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 13, 2016
  • OTTAWA—With the release last week of Sir John Chilcot’s damning report on the United Kingdom’s role in the Iraq war and its aftermath—which concluded
A Kurdish peshmerga soldier participates in training near Irbil, Iraq, Oct. 29, 2015. U.S. Army photograph by Spc. Tristan Bolden

Canada’s enfeebled Navy needs some real muscle

  • On Thursday, June 23, Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance presided over the change of command ceremony between outgoing Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 6, 2016
The HMCS Charlottetown departs the Halifax Dockyard in Nova Scotia for Operation Reassurance on June 27, 2016. Photograph by John Clevett courtesy of the Canadian Forces.

Canada’s enfeebled Navy needs some real muscle

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 6, 2016
  • On Thursday, June 23, Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance presided over the change of command ceremony between outgoing Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)

Canada’s enfeebled Navy needs some real muscle

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 6, 2016
  • On Thursday, June 23, Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance presided over the change of command ceremony between outgoing Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)
The HMCS Charlottetown departs the Halifax Dockyard in Nova Scotia for Operation Reassurance on June 27, 2016. Photograph by John Clevett courtesy of the Canadian Forces.

We massively screwed up in Libya, now we need to help fix it

  • OTTAWA—Although it is largely eclipsed by mainstream media coverage of Britain’s startling Brexit referendum results, Donald Trump’s inexplicable Republican Party presidential candidacy, and allegations
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 29, 2016
Demonstrators protest the ongoing use of weapons by rebel militias in Tripoli, Libya, on Dec. 7, 2011. The lawlessness has not let up five years later, as militias battle for control of the country. UN photograph by Iason Foounten

We massively screwed up in Libya, now we need to help fix it

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 29, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Although it is largely eclipsed by mainstream media coverage of Britain’s startling Brexit referendum results, Donald Trump’s inexplicable Republican Party presidential candidacy, and allegations

We massively screwed up in Libya, now we need to help fix it

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 29, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Although it is largely eclipsed by mainstream media coverage of Britain’s startling Brexit referendum results, Donald Trump’s inexplicable Republican Party presidential candidacy, and allegations
Demonstrators protest the ongoing use of weapons by rebel militias in Tripoli, Libya, on Dec. 7, 2011. The lawlessness has not let up five years later, as militias battle for control of the country. UN photograph by Iason Foounten

War drums beaten anew for Canada to join Baltic NATO force

  • OTTAWA—There was a bit of a media flap last week, ignited by a recent Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report, which claimed that Vladimir
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 22, 2016
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks at press conference on June 5. He has personally pleaded with Canada to be the fourth contributing nation to the brigades set to patrol the Baltic states. Photo courtesy NATO

War drums beaten anew for Canada to join Baltic NATO force

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 22, 2016
  • OTTAWA—There was a bit of a media flap last week, ignited by a recent Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report, which claimed that Vladimir

War drums beaten anew for Canada to join Baltic NATO force

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 22, 2016
  • OTTAWA—There was a bit of a media flap last week, ignited by a recent Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report, which claimed that Vladimir
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks at press conference on June 5. He has personally pleaded with Canada to be the fourth contributing nation to the brigades set to patrol the Baltic states. Photo courtesy NATO

The downsides of joining NATO’s Baltic reassurance effort

  • OTTAWA—All the old warhorses in Ottawa are abuzz over the fact that NATO has apparently singled out Canada to provide troops for a new
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 15, 2016
Private Thomas Roulin, deployed with the Operation Reassurance Land Task Force, fires during training as part of a multinational military exercise involving 23 countries, in Wędrzyn, Poland on June 9. DND photograph by Cpl. Guillaume Gagnon

The downsides of joining NATO’s Baltic reassurance effort

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 15, 2016
  • OTTAWA—All the old warhorses in Ottawa are abuzz over the fact that NATO has apparently singled out Canada to provide troops for a new

The downsides of joining NATO’s Baltic reassurance effort

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 15, 2016
  • OTTAWA—All the old warhorses in Ottawa are abuzz over the fact that NATO has apparently singled out Canada to provide troops for a new
Private Thomas Roulin, deployed with the Operation Reassurance Land Task Force, fires during training as part of a multinational military exercise involving 23 countries, in Wędrzyn, Poland on June 9. DND photograph by Cpl. Guillaume Gagnon

Canada right to reconsider wearing Kurdish flag

  • OTTAWA—Since Canadian special operations soldiers first deployed into Erbil in September 2014 they have been sporting the bright red, white, and green striped flag
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 8, 2016
This Canadian soldier was wearing the Kurdish flag on his uniform while at work in Iraq in April. Screenshot courtesy of CTV/Toronto Star

Canada right to reconsider wearing Kurdish flag

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 8, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Since Canadian special operations soldiers first deployed into Erbil in September 2014 they have been sporting the bright red, white, and green striped flag

Canada right to reconsider wearing Kurdish flag

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 8, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Since Canadian special operations soldiers first deployed into Erbil in September 2014 they have been sporting the bright red, white, and green striped flag
This Canadian soldier was wearing the Kurdish flag on his uniform while at work in Iraq in April. Screenshot courtesy of CTV/Toronto Star

Not worth getting caught up in East Asian island disputes

  • Prior to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s participation in the G7 Summit in Japan, there was rampant speculation among hawkish pundits that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 1, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a ceremony welcoming him to Japan with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on May 24 in Tokyo. PMO photograph by Adam Scotti

Not worth getting caught up in East Asian island disputes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 1, 2016
  • Prior to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s participation in the G7 Summit in Japan, there was rampant speculation among hawkish pundits that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo

Not worth getting caught up in East Asian island disputes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 1, 2016
  • Prior to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s participation in the G7 Summit in Japan, there was rampant speculation among hawkish pundits that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a ceremony welcoming him to Japan with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on May 24 in Tokyo. PMO photograph by Adam Scotti

Operation Reassurance, or Provocation?

  • OTTAWA—A number of recent international headlines had the war-mongering tone and pubescent maturity of the old The Hotspur comic books: “NATO and Russia preparing
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 25, 2016
The Canadian ship HMCS Fredericton, centre, patrols the Black Sea alongside a Bulgarian frigate, right, and Romanian frigate, during Operation Reassurance on April 5. DND photograph by MCpl. Sebastian Allain

Operation Reassurance, or Provocation?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 25, 2016
  • OTTAWA—A number of recent international headlines had the war-mongering tone and pubescent maturity of the old The Hotspur comic books: “NATO and Russia preparing

Operation Reassurance, or Provocation?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 25, 2016
  • OTTAWA—A number of recent international headlines had the war-mongering tone and pubescent maturity of the old The Hotspur comic books: “NATO and Russia preparing
The Canadian ship HMCS Fredericton, centre, patrols the Black Sea alongside a Bulgarian frigate, right, and Romanian frigate, during Operation Reassurance on April 5. DND photograph by MCpl. Sebastian Allain

The tangled web of Canada’s support for Iraq’s Kurds

  • It has been more than two years now since the phenom known alternately as ISIS, ISIL, Islamic State, and Daesh first swept out of
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 18, 2016

The tangled web of Canada’s support for Iraq’s Kurds

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 18, 2016
  • It has been more than two years now since the phenom known alternately as ISIS, ISIL, Islamic State, and Daesh first swept out of

The tangled web of Canada’s support for Iraq’s Kurds

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 18, 2016
  • It has been more than two years now since the phenom known alternately as ISIS, ISIL, Islamic State, and Daesh first swept out of

Why Canada shouldn’t heed Trump’s call to boost defence spending

  • OTTAWA—With Donald Trump being the last man standing in the Republican Party’s presidential candidate race, it would appear that even the most cynical among
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 11, 2016
Donald Trump, pictured speaking to supporters in Arizona on March 19, says he would get tough on allied freeloaders who have come to rely on the United States to protect them. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Why Canada shouldn’t heed Trump’s call to boost defence spending

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 11, 2016
  • OTTAWA—With Donald Trump being the last man standing in the Republican Party’s presidential candidate race, it would appear that even the most cynical among

Why Canada shouldn’t heed Trump’s call to boost defence spending

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 11, 2016
  • OTTAWA—With Donald Trump being the last man standing in the Republican Party’s presidential candidate race, it would appear that even the most cynical among
Donald Trump, pictured speaking to supporters in Arizona on March 19, says he would get tough on allied freeloaders who have come to rely on the United States to protect them. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Why are Canadians in Iraq wearing the Kurdish flag?

  • OTTAWA—Last Thursday, CTV News broadcast a story from the front lines in Kurdistan. The hook for this feature was Chief of Defence Staff General
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 4, 2016
This Canadian soldier was wearing the Kurdish flag on his uniform while at work in Iraq last week. Screenshot courtesy of CTV/Toronto Star

Why are Canadians in Iraq wearing the Kurdish flag?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 4, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Last Thursday, CTV News broadcast a story from the front lines in Kurdistan. The hook for this feature was Chief of Defence Staff General

Why are Canadians in Iraq wearing the Kurdish flag?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 4, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Last Thursday, CTV News broadcast a story from the front lines in Kurdistan. The hook for this feature was Chief of Defence Staff General
This Canadian soldier was wearing the Kurdish flag on his uniform while at work in Iraq last week. Screenshot courtesy of CTV/Toronto Star

How to focus the defence review

  • OTTAWA—Earlier this month, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced that the Liberal government would consult experts and laypersons in advance of Canada drafting its first
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 27, 2016
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, pictured in January, should focus public consultations on the big picture rather than spending and equipment, says Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

How to focus the defence review

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 27, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Earlier this month, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced that the Liberal government would consult experts and laypersons in advance of Canada drafting its first

How to focus the defence review

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 27, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Earlier this month, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced that the Liberal government would consult experts and laypersons in advance of Canada drafting its first
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, pictured in January, should focus public consultations on the big picture rather than spending and equipment, says Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Don’t believe the hype—Vimy battle didn’t make Canada

  • OTTAWA—In a recent poll conducted by the Vimy Foundation, more than 80 per cent of Canadians surveyed supported the idea that the centenary of
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 20, 2016
A naval gun fires over Vimy Ridge behind Canadian lines at night in May, 1917. Photograph courtesy of DND/Library and Archives Canada

Don’t believe the hype—Vimy battle didn’t make Canada

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 20, 2016
  • OTTAWA—In a recent poll conducted by the Vimy Foundation, more than 80 per cent of Canadians surveyed supported the idea that the centenary of

Don’t believe the hype—Vimy battle didn’t make Canada

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 20, 2016
  • OTTAWA—In a recent poll conducted by the Vimy Foundation, more than 80 per cent of Canadians surveyed supported the idea that the centenary of
A naval gun fires over Vimy Ridge behind Canadian lines at night in May, 1917. Photograph courtesy of DND/Library and Archives Canada

We failed in Afghanistan, let’s admit it

  • OTTAWA—While Canada pulled the plug on the Afghanistan mission two years ago, the United States and a handful of other NATO countries have continued
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 13, 2016
Afghan national police and army personnel and U.S. army soldiers patrol in July 2009 in Zabul province, Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army

We failed in Afghanistan, let’s admit it

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 13, 2016
  • OTTAWA—While Canada pulled the plug on the Afghanistan mission two years ago, the United States and a handful of other NATO countries have continued

We failed in Afghanistan, let’s admit it

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 13, 2016
  • OTTAWA—While Canada pulled the plug on the Afghanistan mission two years ago, the United States and a handful of other NATO countries have continued
Afghan national police and army personnel and U.S. army soldiers patrol in July 2009 in Zabul province, Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army

The pitfalls of training foreign fighters

  • There has been considerable debate recently as to whether Canada is at war with Daesh, and whether Canadian trainers in frontline firefights are in
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 6, 2016
Canadian Cpl. Christen Blake gives a demonstration to Afghan National Police at a training centre in Panjwa’i District, Afghanistan in 2010. Photograph courtesy of DND/Cpl. Shilo Adamson

The pitfalls of training foreign fighters

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 6, 2016
  • There has been considerable debate recently as to whether Canada is at war with Daesh, and whether Canadian trainers in frontline firefights are in

The pitfalls of training foreign fighters

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 6, 2016
  • There has been considerable debate recently as to whether Canada is at war with Daesh, and whether Canadian trainers in frontline firefights are in
Canadian Cpl. Christen Blake gives a demonstration to Afghan National Police at a training centre in Panjwa’i District, Afghanistan in 2010. Photograph courtesy of DND/Cpl. Shilo Adamson

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