Tuesday, June 24, 2025

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Tuesday, June 24, 2025 | Latest Paper

Inside Defence

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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 16, 2025
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2025
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 21, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 14, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2025
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2025
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2025
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2025
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2025
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2025
Volodomyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been excluded from peace talks between the United States and Russia to end the war against his country. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2025
Volodomyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been excluded from peace talks between the United States and Russia to end the war against his country. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 17, 2025
The Conservatives’ plan for the North includes doubling the size of the Canadian Arctic Rangers, but it will hardly serve as a deterrent to those ‘hostile powers’ they want to thwart, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt Jean-François Lauzé
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 17, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 17, 2025
The Conservatives’ plan for the North includes doubling the size of the Canadian Arctic Rangers, but it will hardly serve as a deterrent to those ‘hostile powers’ they want to thwart, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt Jean-François Lauzé
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 10, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's blaming of Canada for the entire drug-overdose tragedy in his country defies all logic, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 10, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 10, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's blaming of Canada for the entire drug-overdose tragedy in his country defies all logic, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 3, 2025
According to a series of briefings to military leaders in June 2024, 44 per cent of personnel in the CAF are overweight, and another 28 per cent are classified as obese. DND photograph by Leading Seaman Sisi Xu
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 3, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 3, 2025
According to a series of briefings to military leaders in June 2024, 44 per cent of personnel in the CAF are overweight, and another 28 per cent are classified as obese. DND photograph by Leading Seaman Sisi Xu
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 27, 2025
Donald J. Trump
Due to his position, even U.S. President Trump’s most glib and offhand threats need to be addressed with diplomacy and tact, but they also need to be countered with some hard truths, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 27, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 27, 2025
Donald J. Trump
Due to his position, even U.S. President Trump’s most glib and offhand threats need to be addressed with diplomacy and tact, but they also need to be countered with some hard truths, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 20, 2025
Canadian soldiers have been called on to help battle flames, but boosting the ranks of the Air Force with a reserve to fly water bombers would be a boon, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Dan Bard
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 20, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 20, 2025
Canadian soldiers have been called on to help battle flames, but boosting the ranks of the Air Force with a reserve to fly water bombers would be a boon, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Dan Bard
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 13, 2025
At present, the CAF does not have retention bonuses, but in recent years they have offered signing bonuses to recruits with specific professional skill sets. DND photograph by MCpl Cass Moon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 13, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 13, 2025
At present, the CAF does not have retention bonuses, but in recent years they have offered signing bonuses to recruits with specific professional skill sets. DND photograph by MCpl Cass Moon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 6, 2025
Canada’s commitment to a beefed-up mission in Latvia will negatively impact the Army's morale over time without extra support, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Staff Sergeant Christian Milano, Spanish Army
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 6, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 6, 2025
Canada’s commitment to a beefed-up mission in Latvia will negatively impact the Army's morale over time without extra support, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Staff Sergeant Christian Milano, Spanish Army
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 23, 2024
Canada could and should commit to constructing northern transportation hubs, and labelling all of it an investment in the country’s defence, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 23, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 23, 2024
Canada could and should commit to constructing northern transportation hubs, and labelling all of it an investment in the country’s defence, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 16, 2024
Serving members of the Armed Forces have been documenting their living conditions in military barracks across the country. Photographs courtesy of Esprit de Corps  Photographs courtesy of Esprit de Corps 
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 16, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 16, 2024
Serving members of the Armed Forces have been documenting their living conditions in military barracks across the country. Photographs courtesy of Esprit de Corps  Photographs courtesy of Esprit de Corps 
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 8, 2020
Finance Minister Bill Morneau is pictured in the West Block for a March 18 press conference about the government’s COVID-19 response. Even with the current government drip-feed of financial aid to suspended businesses, it is not clear how many small enterprises will survive to be able to reopen their doors once this storm abates, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 8, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 8, 2020
Finance Minister Bill Morneau is pictured in the West Block for a March 18 press conference about the government’s COVID-19 response. Even with the current government drip-feed of financial aid to suspended businesses, it is not clear how many small enterprises will survive to be able to reopen their doors once this storm abates, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 1, 2020
Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, says the Canadian Armed Forces has plans in place and troops sequestered in anticipation of being called upon to assist with the COVID-19 response. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 1, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 1, 2020
Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, says the Canadian Armed Forces has plans in place and troops sequestered in anticipation of being called upon to assist with the COVID-19 response. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 25, 2020
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured at the 2018 NATO Summit in Brussels, have in recent days positioned COVID-19 as something drummed up by China and Iran, writes Scott Taylor. Flickr photograph courtesy of NATO
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 25, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 25, 2020
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured at the 2018 NATO Summit in Brussels, have in recent days positioned COVID-19 as something drummed up by China and Iran, writes Scott Taylor. Flickr photograph courtesy of NATO
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 18, 2020
Canadian Major-General Jennie Carignan officially assumed command of the NATO Mission Iraq on Nov. 26, 2019. Scott Taylor asks: when did Canada authorize our troops’ participation in an inter-factional civil war in Iraq? DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. Ryan Moulton
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 18, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 18, 2020
Canadian Major-General Jennie Carignan officially assumed command of the NATO Mission Iraq on Nov. 26, 2019. Scott Taylor asks: when did Canada authorize our troops’ participation in an inter-factional civil war in Iraq? DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. Ryan Moulton
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 11, 2020
Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, told the Conference of Defence Associations Institute gathering on March 4 that Canada’s military personnel was in ‘pre-pandemic’ planning mode in response to the coronavirus. Photograph courtesy of Twitter
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 11, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 11, 2020
Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, told the Conference of Defence Associations Institute gathering on March 4 that Canada’s military personnel was in ‘pre-pandemic’ planning mode in response to the coronavirus. Photograph courtesy of Twitter
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 4, 2020
Canadian Armed Forces members conduct a live range exercise as part of Operation Reassurance at the Camp Ādaži training area in Latvia, on Dec. 19, 2019. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces battle group are in Latvia to show solidarity with a NATO ally, and protect our ‘shared values,’ writes Scott Taylor, which aren't glorifying people who swore allegiance to Adolf Hitler. DND photograph by Cpl. Djalma Vuong-De Ramos
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 4, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 4, 2020
Canadian Armed Forces members conduct a live range exercise as part of Operation Reassurance at the Camp Ādaži training area in Latvia, on Dec. 19, 2019. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces battle group are in Latvia to show solidarity with a NATO ally, and protect our ‘shared values,’ writes Scott Taylor, which aren't glorifying people who swore allegiance to Adolf Hitler. DND photograph by Cpl. Djalma Vuong-De Ramos
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 26, 2020
Lieutenant Commander Gina Connor takes aim with an AK-47 rifle during firing practice at the Kabul Military Training Centre range in Kabul, Afghanistan during Operation Attention in October 2013. Canadian soldiers who served in Afghanistan displayed the courage, discipline, and professionalism one would expect from one of the finest militaries in the world, but the war was unwinnable from the outset, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Sgt. Norm McLean
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 26, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 26, 2020
Lieutenant Commander Gina Connor takes aim with an AK-47 rifle during firing practice at the Kabul Military Training Centre range in Kabul, Afghanistan during Operation Attention in October 2013. Canadian soldiers who served in Afghanistan displayed the courage, discipline, and professionalism one would expect from one of the finest militaries in the world, but the war was unwinnable from the outset, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Sgt. Norm McLean
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 19, 2020
Omar Khadr, pictured in 2017 during an interview with the CBC's Rosemary Barton. A recent keynote speech at Dalhousie University in Halifax, organized by the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative, was the first time Khadr has spoken publicly on the subject, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 19, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 19, 2020
Omar Khadr, pictured in 2017 during an interview with the CBC's Rosemary Barton. A recent keynote speech at Dalhousie University in Halifax, organized by the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative, was the first time Khadr has spoken publicly on the subject, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 12, 2020
Colonel Carla Harding speaks to the participants of the Women in Force program at Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ont., on August 14, 2017. The program gives women a chance to learn about military life before they decide to join. As Scott Taylor writes, the military is struggling to reach its self-imposed goal of 25 per cent female representation by 2026. DND photograph by Aviator Rachael Allen
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 12, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 12, 2020
Colonel Carla Harding speaks to the participants of the Women in Force program at Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ont., on August 14, 2017. The program gives women a chance to learn about military life before they decide to join. As Scott Taylor writes, the military is struggling to reach its self-imposed goal of 25 per cent female representation by 2026. DND photograph by Aviator Rachael Allen
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 5, 2020
The Latvian Legion is commemorated on March 16, 2012. The annual event is controversial because the force was commanded by the German Nazi Waffen SS during the Second World War. Flickr photograph courtesy of Pablo Andrés Rivero
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 5, 2020
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 5, 2020
The Latvian Legion is commemorated on March 16, 2012. The annual event is controversial because the force was commanded by the German Nazi Waffen SS during the Second World War. Flickr photograph courtesy of Pablo Andrés Rivero