2008

air_f-35_multinational_lgFinancement de la Défense nationaleLe Gouvernement du Canada a dévoilé sa stratégie de défense « Le Canada d’abord » en mai 2008. Ce faisant, il a identifié les grandes priorités de la défense et les missions essentielles qui seront remplies par les Forces canadiennes. Cette stratégie a également entériné le financement futur de la Défense, en tenant compte d’un taux d’inflation de 2 % en début 2011. L’augmentation des dépenses du Gouvernement destinées à la défense est soutenue mais a besoin d’être continuée pour répondre aux priorités de la stratégie de défense « Le Canada d’abord ». Le Gouvernement doit honorer ses engagements pour livrer les ressources nécessaires en matière de défense et effectuer des mises à jour de temps à autre. En dépit d’une conjoncture économique difficile, les exigences en matière de défense doivent demeurer une priorité pour pallier aux anciennes insuffisances et continuer à reconstruire les Forces canadiennes. De plus, il est toujours important d’aider à stimuler et à conserver une industrie dynamique de la défense au Canada par l’entremise d’investissements liés à ce secteur. Les exigences opérationnelles des missions en déploiement requièrent un plein soutien et financement gouvernemental….Il y a plus de texte ici…

medics_helicopterFunding for National Defence – 06/2008 The Government of Canada unveiled its Canada First Defence Strategy in May 2008. In doing so, it identified the main priorities for defence and the core missions to be performed by the Canadian Forces. Importantly, the CFDS also confirmed future funding for Defence, with an inflation provision of 2% beginning in 2011. Government increases to defence spending are supported but need to be maintained… defence requirements must remain a priority in order to address previous shortfalls and to continue with the rebuilding of the Canadian Forces. The Government needs to honour its commitments to provide the necessary resources for defence. The operational requirement of deployed missions demands full governmental support and funding. (Read more here…)

2009_silver-dart-stampCentury of Flight – 05/2008 February 23, 2009 will be the 100th anniversary of the first powered, heavier-than-air, controlled flight in Canada, by J.A.D. McCurdy in the Silver Dart at Baddeck, Nova Scotia. This seminal event heralded the beginning of aviation activity in Canada. Centennial of Flight events will commemorate the evolution of aerospace activities in Canada, which constitute a major element of our development as a nation. The Centennial of Flight Board of Directors is to be commended for the work being done to commemorate the first flight and other events, albeit with very limited resources. The Federal Government, and specifically the Department of Canadian Heritage, is urged to actively provide funding support to the promotion of a century of flight in Canada. There remains a limited window of opportunity to rectify this situation; accordingly this issue should be given a high priority. (Read more here…)

pm-feature-20080512-2Implementing the Canada First Defence Strategy – 04/2008 On 12 May 2008, the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defence announced the Canada First Defence Strategy (CFDS). A formal document to support the policy described was available in June. There were no real surprises. Within the three military roles – defending Canada, defending North America and contributing to international peace and security — the six core missions of the CF are…(Read more here…) The Minister of National Defence Reply to the Air Force Association of Canada’s position on the Canada First Defence Strategy can be found here.

canadarmThe Need for a Canadian Space Strategy – 03/2008 Announcement of the proposed sale of the defence and space division of Macdonald Dettwiler and Associates to the U.S. aerospace company Alliant Techsystems has raised a number of observations regarding Canadian taxpayer investment in space activities. The disposition of Radarsat-2 and the information it provides has figured prominently in the discussion. At issue is Canadian sovereignty,… (Read more here…)

17wingAir Power and Canada’s Expeditionary Capability – 02/2008 The air force has considerable capabilities which can be used in an expeditionary role, which for the purposes here will mean to be deployed internationally, or in response to some unplanned domestic requirement. Although the focus of such missions is often that which can be provided by land forces, other capabilities should not be overlooked for the needed support or for force projection…There is a need to ensure that these important capabilities are kept viable and improved upon, and employed whenever needed, to ensure Canada maintains the ability to deploy and support an appropriate range of expeditionary forces when necessary. Governments need options. Canadians deserve them. (Read more here…)

matte1Puissance aérienne et capacité expéditionnaire du Canada – 02FR/2008 La force aérienne a une capacité considérable pouvant être utilisée à des fins expéditionnaires, ce qui veut dire – dans le contexte qui nous intéresse – qu’elle peut être déployée internationalement ou nationalement, pour répondre à des besoins internes non anticipés. Bien que le foyer d’intervention principal de telles missions relève souvent des forces terrestres, on ne devrait pas négliger les autres facteurs pouvant fournir un support nécessaire ou une projection de force. Pour que le Canada puisse garantir sa capacité de déploiement et de soutien par un éventail suffisant de forces expéditionnaires lorsque c’est nécessaire, il faut absolument s’assurer que ses importantes capacités soient maintenues, améliorées et utilisées dès qu’un besoin se fait sentir. Les gouvernements doivent avoir des options. Les Canadiens le méritent. (Plus d’informations ici…)

noradThe Importance of NORAD – 01/2008 May 12, 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), the alliance formed between Canada and the United States to integrate resources employed to defend against aerospace threats. NORAD is vital to Canada and Canadians. It is affordable and enables effective aerospace defence of North America against evolving threats. The close partnership ties created by NORAD allow the sharing of information and the exploration of other areas of potential defence cooperation. NORAD needs to continue to change as needed to stay relevant to mutual defence needs. Every effort should be made to help all Canadians understand the benefits and the importance of NORAD to Canada. (Read more here…)