Wednesday, June 25, 2025

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Wednesday, June 25, 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 | July 17, 2019
Lt.-Col. Mark Chinner lays a wreath during a 2016 Remembrance Day ceremony at the Afghanistan Memorial at 12 Wing Shearwater, N.S. Controversy over the location and dedication of the repatriated Kandahar cenotaph in Ottawa has raised other questions about how the government honours fallen soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by LS Brad Upshall
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2019
Lt.-Col. Mark Chinner lays a wreath during a 2016 Remembrance Day ceremony at the Afghanistan Memorial at 12 Wing Shearwater, N.S. Controversy over the location and dedication of the repatriated Kandahar cenotaph in Ottawa has raised other questions about how the government honours fallen soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by LS Brad Upshall
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump has already intervened once in the case of a Navy SEAL on trial for several serious charges, including murder, for alleged actions in Iraq. Flickr photograph by Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump has already intervened once in the case of a Navy SEAL on trial for several serious charges, including murder, for alleged actions in Iraq. Flickr photograph by Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
A CF-188 Hornet pilot prepares for take off from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania during Operation REASSURANCE in November 2018. When in Canada, fighter pilots are based in northern Alberta and Quebec, but maybe it’s time to allow them to be stationed in more-urban centres, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Dominic Duchesne-Beaulieu
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
A CF-188 Hornet pilot prepares for take off from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania during Operation REASSURANCE in November 2018. When in Canada, fighter pilots are based in northern Alberta and Quebec, but maybe it’s time to allow them to be stationed in more-urban centres, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Dominic Duchesne-Beaulieu
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the new travel restrictions to Cuba are the result of the island nation ‘propping up’ American adversaries in Venezuela and Nicaragua. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the new travel restrictions to Cuba are the result of the island nation ‘propping up’ American adversaries in Venezuela and Nicaragua. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
The departments headed by National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Public Services and Procurement Minister Carla Qualtrough, and Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains need a better response to the practice of turning over reporters’ information to private companies, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
The departments headed by National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Public Services and Procurement Minister Carla Qualtrough, and Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains need a better response to the practice of turning over reporters’ information to private companies, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. After its relocation to DND's publicly inaccessible headquarters received backlash, Chief of Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, vowed to 'turn this around.' Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. After its relocation to DND's publicly inaccessible headquarters received backlash, Chief of Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, vowed to 'turn this around.' Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 22, 2019
A Canadian door-gunner surveys the ground below during a CH-146 Griffon helicopter flight near Erbil, Iraq on March 2, 2017 as part of Canada’s mission in the country. Photograph courtesy of U.S. Combat Camera
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 22, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 22, 2019
A Canadian door-gunner surveys the ground below during a CH-146 Griffon helicopter flight near Erbil, Iraq on March 2, 2017 as part of Canada’s mission in the country. Photograph courtesy of U.S. Combat Camera
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2019
Former Maple Leafs player Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, left, suited up for a morale-boosting Canadian military hockey game on Dec. 5, 2017 in Latvia. On the flight to get to there, he was accused of sexual assault, but the case was dropped last week. Canadian Embassy in Latvia photograph by Armins Janiks
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2019
Former Maple Leafs player Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, left, suited up for a morale-boosting Canadian military hockey game on Dec. 5, 2017 in Latvia. On the flight to get to there, he was accused of sexual assault, but the case was dropped last week. Canadian Embassy in Latvia photograph by Armins Janiks
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2019
In March, U.S. President Donald Trump intervened in the case of a U.S. Navy SEAL charged with murder for his alleged actions in Iraq, saying he would be moved to ‘less restrictive confinement.’ Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2019
In March, U.S. President Donald Trump intervened in the case of a U.S. Navy SEAL charged with murder for his alleged actions in Iraq, saying he would be moved to ‘less restrictive confinement.’ Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 24, 2019
Canadian Armed Forces members board a CC-130J Hercules aircraft during Operation Impact, Canada's mission in Iraq, in August 2018. Canadian troops are participating in a U.S.-led multinational coalition in Iraq, which invited the foreign military in the country, unlike Syria and Libya, where the American government said its own soldiers will be leaving. Operation Impact photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 24, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 24, 2019
Canadian Armed Forces members board a CC-130J Hercules aircraft during Operation Impact, Canada's mission in Iraq, in August 2018. Canadian troops are participating in a U.S.-led multinational coalition in Iraq, which invited the foreign military in the country, unlike Syria and Libya, where the American government said its own soldiers will be leaving. Operation Impact photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence