Thursday, August 28, 2025

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Thursday, August 28, 2025 | Latest Paper

Inside Defence

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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 25, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 18, 2025
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
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.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 11, 2025
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.
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 28, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 21, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 14, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 7, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 30, 2025
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
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 | October 2, 2023
As Canada’s top soldier, General Wayne Eyre represents every serving member and veteran in the country and it’s a career officer of his rank would be so ignorant of military history as to not realize that Yaroslav Hunka must be a Nazi soldier, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 2, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 2, 2023
As Canada’s top soldier, General Wayne Eyre represents every serving member and veteran in the country and it’s a career officer of his rank would be so ignorant of military history as to not realize that Yaroslav Hunka must be a Nazi soldier, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2023
Vice-Admiral J.R. Auchterlonie, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, speaks to the Canadian Armed Forces members tasked with training recruits of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during Operation Unifier in the United Kingdom on May 18. DND photograph by Corporal Marco Tijam
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2023
Vice-Admiral J.R. Auchterlonie, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, speaks to the Canadian Armed Forces members tasked with training recruits of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during Operation Unifier in the United Kingdom on May 18. DND photograph by Corporal Marco Tijam
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2023
Instead of replacing the aging Polaris fleet, surely it would be cheaper and a better use of resources for the various government departments to simply charter the passenger flights on an ‘as-required’ basis, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2023
Instead of replacing the aging Polaris fleet, surely it would be cheaper and a better use of resources for the various government departments to simply charter the passenger flights on an ‘as-required’ basis, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2023
The skyline of Russia's capital is now speckled with modern skyscrapers built within the last two decades. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2023
The skyline of Russia's capital is now speckled with modern skyscrapers built within the last two decades. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2023
The HMCS Ottawa flies the Battle Ensign during a photo exercise while transiting the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 26, 2023. The ship was among an allied battle group East China Sea that encountered a pair of Chinese warship in the East China Sea last week. DND photograph by Aviator Gregory Cole
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2023
The HMCS Ottawa flies the Battle Ensign during a photo exercise while transiting the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 26, 2023. The ship was among an allied battle group East China Sea that encountered a pair of Chinese warship in the East China Sea last week. DND photograph by Aviator Gregory Cole
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2023
For the men and women of 8 Wing, the charges against Col. Leif Dahl, left, are the second time the trust in their leadership and chain of command have been challenged in recent memory, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of DND, Lieutenant Kurt Visser
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2023
For the men and women of 8 Wing, the charges against Col. Leif Dahl, left, are the second time the trust in their leadership and chain of command have been challenged in recent memory, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of DND, Lieutenant Kurt Visser
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2023
Russian authorities say Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead following an Aug. 23 plane crash north of Moscow, but almost nothing in Russian politics is exactly as it seems, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of the BBC
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2023
Russian authorities say Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead following an Aug. 23 plane crash north of Moscow, but almost nothing in Russian politics is exactly as it seems, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of the BBC
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2023
Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, mentor Ukrainian recruits during a trench clearance on Operation Unifier, on Feb. 2 in the United Kingdom. Since the spring of 2015, Canada’s Operation Unifier has trained more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2023
Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, mentor Ukrainian recruits during a trench clearance on Operation Unifier, on Feb. 2 in the United Kingdom. Since the spring of 2015, Canada’s Operation Unifier has trained more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian military is no longer the parade square paper tigers that rolled across the Ukraine border in February 2022, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of President of Ukraine/Flickr and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian military is no longer the parade square paper tigers that rolled across the Ukraine border in February 2022, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of President of Ukraine/Flickr and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
According to documents released under the Access to Information Act, some 252 executives at the Department of National Defence—now overseen by Minister Bill Blair—received a performance bonus between April 2021 and March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
According to documents released under the Access to Information Act, some 252 executives at the Department of National Defence—now overseen by Minister Bill Blair—received a performance bonus between April 2021 and March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade