Our allies are well aware of it. Do you think our enemies aren’t?
Even somewhat competent governments are constantly assessing their military strength, their allies’ strength, and their potential adversaries’ strength.
Little goes unnoticed, and even small shifts in real or perceived strength can spur countries into action.
But that’s not the case here in Canada.
For years, our national defences have been withering away, which is saying something since Canada has not had a strong military for many decades, meaning we didn’t exactly have far to fall.
We have to go back to the defence budget increases of the Mulroney era (when Canada hit and at times exceeded 2% of GDP on national defence) to reach a time when Canada lived up to our NATO commitments.
Since then, under Conservative and Liberal Governments alike, Canada has underfunded our military.
While this underfunding was unacceptable before the 2020s, it is even more appalling now.
One could make a decent (though still wrong) case that before Russia invaded Ukraine and before China’s gargantuan ongoing military buildup, it was possible to pretend that national defence wasn’t a priority. I disagree with that, but it was the consensus for quite some time.
But to watch the largest war in Europe since WW2 as Russia tries to destroy an entire sovereign nation and butchers Ukrainians in a war of aggression, and to watch China construct immense numbers of ships and planes and missiles, and to then pretend that nothing has changed and all is well is the height of delusion.
And that’s the word that best sums up Canada’s current defence posture:
Delusion.
At the very moment when we should be doing everything we can to ramp up our military strength, at a time when we need national unity and national purpose to generate the support necessary for the difficult task of rapidly making up for decades of military underfunding, our nation is instead divided, listless, and insular.
As a result, things continue to worsen when it comes to our national defence.
Unsurprisingly, this is not going unnoticed by Canada’s allies.
Here’s what American Robert C. O’Brien – former 27th Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs – recently posted on Twitter:
“This story is so sad for a force so potent that it once took beaches on Normandy alongside the UK & US. It is also a dangerous story for America as #Canada & #Greenland constitute our front lines against China & Russia in the critical #Arctic North.”
The story he refers to, titled “Canada’s Army Is Slowly Rotting Away,” was written by Andrew Latham – non-resident fellow at Defense Priorities and a professor of international relations and political theory at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN – and is well worth reading in full. I’ve included a few key excerpts below:
“The Canadian Army faces a confluence of crises that threaten its ability to recruit, retain, equip, and train warfighters relevant to the character of war in the 2020s.
These challenges are not merely logistical or administrative; they fundamentally undermine the Army’s capacity to defend Canada and contribute to collective security alongside its allies. Addressing these issues demands both a candid acknowledgment of the systemic dysfunctions and a bold commitment to reform. A future Conservative government under Pierre Poilievre might provide the necessary political will to tackle these shortcomings, but the solutions will require sustained focus and resources.”
“Many soldiers cite poor living conditions, limited career advancement opportunities, and burnout as reasons for leaving the forces. Housing shortages at key bases such as Petawawa and Edmonton exacerbate financial stress on service members and their families, creating a vicious cycle of attrition that leaves remaining personnel overburdened and demoralized. For example, soldiers stationed at Petawawa report that rising rents in the surrounding area force many to commute long distances or live in inadequate on-base housing, further straining morale.”
“Changing societal attitudes toward military service further exacerbate recruitment difficulties. Younger generations often view the military as out of touch, and perceptions of instability and inadequate veteran support deter many potential recruits. Unlike countries such as the United States or Australia, where recruitment campaigns emphasize patriotism and career development, Canada’s messaging lacks coherence and fails to resonate with the specific aspirations of today’s youth. This absence of a compelling narrative about the Army’s role in Canada’s security and national identity only deepens the recruitment crisis. The United States’ recent campaign linking military service to opportunities in STEM careers offers a model of how Canada might better align its messaging with modern workforce expectations.”
“Infrastructure and housing issues further erode the Army’s ability to support its personnel. Many soldiers live in substandard housing or face exorbitant rental costs near bases, straining their financial and emotional well-being. The lack of adequate facilities for training and medical care exacerbates these challenges, reinforcing a sense of neglect among the ranks. This neglect is more than an oversight; it represents a breach of the social contract between the state and those who serve it, further diminishing morale and trust in leadership. Reports from bases such as CFB Edmonton highlight how deteriorating barracks, plagued by mold and insufficient heating, have become emblematic of the government’s neglect.”
“Slowly Rotting Away.”
This is what many of our allies are going to think when they consider the state of the Canadian Armed Forces.
And sadly, they would be right to think that.
We aren’t living up to our commitments, either to our Citizens who deserve a strong national defence, or to our allies, who have the right to expect that Canada will help strengthen our alliances rather than being a weak link.
Our enemies are watching
If our allies can see how undefended Canada is, do you think our enemies don’t see it as well?
They’re watching.
And they’re planning.
Russia continues to build up their military assets in the Arctic, and you should remember that Canada and Russia have competing claims over the Arctic seabed.
China – eyeing the immense potential resource wealth in the area – now refers to itself as a ‘near-Arctic State’.
Canada’s weakness could embolden both Russia and China in the North, given that we cannot exert control over much of our territory, let alone disputed areas.
Canada’s economic prosperity also depends in large part on maintaining strong trading relationships with our allies. Those relationships will be far more difficult to protect if we are seen as a liability to those allies, rather than an asset.
And, given how uncertain and unstable the world is, a lack of military strength leaves us vulnerable to the unexpected.
Addressing our lack of a strong national defence should be Canada’s top focus. Without the ability to defend our country and support our allies, our safety, freedom, and sovereignty could be lost.
Spencer Fernando
