Monday, June 23, 2025

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Monday, June 23, 2025 | Latest Paper

Inside Defence

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 | December 9, 2024
A Volatus Aerospace drone is pictured at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on June 1, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 9, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 9, 2024
A Volatus Aerospace drone is pictured at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on June 1, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2021
The Tutor training planes are unarmed and cannot in any way contribute to the defence of our nation. Plus, by their very nature, acrobatic formation stunt fliers put themselves and their aircraft at great risk, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sergeant Robert Bottrill
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2021
The Tutor training planes are unarmed and cannot in any way contribute to the defence of our nation. Plus, by their very nature, acrobatic formation stunt fliers put themselves and their aircraft at great risk, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sergeant Robert Bottrill
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2021
In a March 10 Facebook video, retired Corporal Sherry Bordage outlined her experience with sexual assault in the military, the latest in a string of survivors coming forward as part of the Canadian Armed Forces’ 'Me Too' moment, as victims who were long silenced and sidelined are finding their voice, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of Facebook
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2021
In a March 10 Facebook video, retired Corporal Sherry Bordage outlined her experience with sexual assault in the military, the latest in a string of survivors coming forward as part of the Canadian Armed Forces’ 'Me Too' moment, as victims who were long silenced and sidelined are finding their voice, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of Facebook
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2021
Canadian Armed Forces medical staff deployed on Operation Nanook-Nunalivut conduct patient loading drills in Yellowknife, N.W.T., on March 2. If any organization knows how to effect short-term culture change it is the military. After all, 10 weeks of recruit school converts civilians into soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Tori Lake
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2021
Canadian Armed Forces medical staff deployed on Operation Nanook-Nunalivut conduct patient loading drills in Yellowknife, N.W.T., on March 2. If any organization knows how to effect short-term culture change it is the military. After all, 10 weeks of recruit school converts civilians into soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Tori Lake
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2021
What was far more alarming about Maj. Kellie Brennan comments during her Feb. 21 interview with Mercedes Stephenson was her allegation that when this story first broke, former CDS Gen. Jonathan Vance had urged her to lie to the media. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/Global News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2021
What was far more alarming about Maj. Kellie Brennan comments during her Feb. 21 interview with Mercedes Stephenson was her allegation that when this story first broke, former CDS Gen. Jonathan Vance had urged her to lie to the media. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/Global News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2021
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, left, and former military ombudsman Gary Walbourne, right, have both testified before the House National Defence Committee in recent weeks about their actions in relation to allegations of sexual impropriety levelled against former chief of the defence staff Jonathan Vance. Screenshots via ParlVu
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2021
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, left, and former military ombudsman Gary Walbourne, right, have both testified before the House National Defence Committee in recent weeks about their actions in relation to allegations of sexual impropriety levelled against former chief of the defence staff Jonathan Vance. Screenshots via ParlVu
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2021
New Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Art McDonald, pictured at the Jan. 14 change of command ceremony, sent a Feb. 24 email to military personnel assuring anyone wishing to bring forward allegations of misconduct that they could expect to be heard, supported, and protected. DND photograph by CpI. Rachael Allen
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2021
New Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Art McDonald, pictured at the Jan. 14 change of command ceremony, sent a Feb. 24 email to military personnel assuring anyone wishing to bring forward allegations of misconduct that they could expect to be heard, supported, and protected. DND photograph by CpI. Rachael Allen
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2021
Retired Gen. Jonathan Vance, the former chief of the defence staff, initially defended the value of the VIP tours, which came under scrutiny after the 2017 ‘party flight.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2021
Retired Gen. Jonathan Vance, the former chief of the defence staff, initially defended the value of the VIP tours, which came under scrutiny after the 2017 ‘party flight.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 17, 2021
While Gen. Jonathan Vance had not been charged with any crime, the fact that his alleged actions in Italy had been investigated by the CFNIS should have given the Harper Conservatives some cause for concern, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 17, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 17, 2021
While Gen. Jonathan Vance had not been charged with any crime, the fact that his alleged actions in Italy had been investigated by the CFNIS should have given the Harper Conservatives some cause for concern, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 10, 2021
Gen. Jonathan Vance, former chief of the defence staff, is accused of having inappropriate relations with lower-ranked female military staff. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 10, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 10, 2021
Gen. Jonathan Vance, former chief of the defence staff, is accused of having inappropriate relations with lower-ranked female military staff. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 1, 2021
Retired General Rick Hillier, who is leading Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort, has taken on additional responsibility as an adviser to a Canadian defence company. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 1, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 1, 2021
Retired General Rick Hillier, who is leading Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort, has taken on additional responsibility as an adviser to a Canadian defence company. The Hill Times file photograph