{"id":79068,"date":"2024-04-18T19:45:06","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T19:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/the-royal-canadian-legion-on-the-defence-policy-update\/"},"modified":"2024-04-18T19:45:06","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T19:45:06","slug":"the-royal-canadian-legion-on-the-defence-policy-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/the-royal-canadian-legion-on-the-defence-policy-update\/","title":{"rendered":"The Royal Canadian Legion on the Defence Policy Update"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ottawa, April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Royal Canadian Legion is sharing additional thoughts related to the federal government\u2019s recently released Defence Policy Update<\/a>, in the wake of the 2024 federal budget<\/a>. As with its response<\/a> to the budget, the Legion is encouraged by the commitments but troubled by what it sees as a lack of immediacy in implementation, and therefore possibly disastrous results for our country operationally if processes and timing do not align with current requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf our country does not urgently tackle the critical issues that face our defence department the results will primarily affect our still serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members,\u201d says Bruce Julian, Dominion President. \u201cUltimately this could mean highly increased risk in the field, and unnecessarily negative outcomes physically and mentally for our troops.\u201d<\/p>\n

The update does a great job of highlighting major security factors that Canada needs to consider, including climate change, the Arctic, Russia and China, new technologies, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.<\/p>\n

The policy objectives are clear. The commitments also represent a significant increase in defence spending, the best since 2015. There are positive plans for new capabilities in the areas of intelligence and cybersecurity and in purchasing new aircraft and other defence systems.<\/p>\n

When considering the full context of the policy update however, there is much to be worried about.<\/p>\n

To begin, most of the spending commitments will not be fulfilled until after the next election and as far off as 20 years from now. CAF members need new gear, tools, and training today, not in 20 years.<\/p>\n

This, which was an \u201curgent\u201d policy update, took two years to complete and only calls for the \u201cexploration\u201d of some significant capability options without setting firm deadlines. The pledges made still do not meet Canada\u2019s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commitment; and without a major evolution of the current procurement process, it will ensure Canada will not hit its target.<\/p>\n

While new funding is mostly focused on capital equipment, upcoming budget cuts are focused on operations and maintenance – which will likely affect readiness: already a current problem. There is a huge disconnect here. The impact of funding pressures and cutbacks will fall squarely upon recruiting, retention, and training.<\/p>\n

While the policy update does attempt to address recruitment and retention, and overall quality of life, implementation realities mean things are likely to remain status quo in the near future. For example, the CAF is 16,000 personnel short, and the policy update indicates it will take eight years to resolve. This shortage is not a new development, and the Legion questions why it is taking so long for noticeable movement in this obviously crucial area. Further, there appears to be limited effort to ensure retention. Despite a stated military housing shortage of 7,000 the proposed plan – $300 million over 20 years \u2013 provides little urgent relief. Dedicated military housing is needed now not in the future.<\/p>\n

The Legion also notes that while there is a government commitment to produce a National Security Strategy every four years, the last one was in 2004. No strategy = no timely and aligned processes = undue pressure on our CAF members.<\/p>\n

Overall, this reality is especially problematic because as the Legion recently illustrated, some of the policy items outlined are contingent upon other timely actions to have a tangible effect:<\/p>\n