NATIONAL NEWS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY / SOMMAIRE DES NOUVELLES NATIONALES
ADM(PA) / SMA(AP)
August 19, 2011 / le 19 août 2011
MINISTER / LE MINISTRE
Civilian Staffing: Leaked Report
According to a leaked report, DND and the CF has too many civilian employees. Between 2004 and
2010, civilian hires outpaced uniformed hires three-to-one. A spokesperson for Defence Minister Peter
MacKay, Jay Paxton, said those hires were necessary to backfill positions left vacant by Canada's
involvement in Afghanistan, “so that military members could focus their efforts on operational matters.” In
the report, LGen Andrew Leslie writes: “We have too many headquarters, too much cumbersome
process, too much overhead, too much tail.” LGen Leslie proposes paring down the senior executive
levels of both DND and the CF, and reinvesting those funds in the front lines to protect “the various
systems that result in the people in the ships, battalions and squadrons of aircraft doing the tough and
often dangerous work that Canadians are so proud of.” Mr. Paxton hinted the government will act on the
recommendations, many of which he notes will not be “easy, popular or risk-free” (B. Weese: TSun 26,
LFP B1, ESun 12, OSun 11, CSun 30, WSun 8).
The report by LGen Leslie makes 43 recommendations. Key recommendations include: redeploying or
eliminating 3,500 regular forces personnel who currently hold jobs that serve little purpose; doing the
same to 3,500 civil servants in the department; cutting the number of full-time reservists to 4,500 and
converting them to part-time service; cutting 30 per cent from the $2.7-billion spent annually on
contractors, consultants and services provided by the private sector; consolidating departments that
overlap and duplicate each other. Whether CDS Gen Walt Natynczyk and Mr. MacKay will act on LGen
Leslie's recommendations is unknown. The report itself alludes to resistance within the military
establishment while it was being prepared. Sources who cannot be identified, because they are not
authorized to speak to the press, tell of tensions between LGen Leslie and Gen Natynczyk. Although the
report was delivered to Mr. MacKay in July, DND has not released it. Coverage included selections from
the report (J. Ibbitson: G&M A1).
Détenus afghans
Pour éviter toute fuite inopinée, le gouvernement Harper a sommé le diplomate Richard Colvin de lui
remettre tous les documents touchant les détenus afghans qu'il avait en sa possession peu de temps
après sa comparution devant la Commission d'examen des plaintes concernant la police militaire l'an
dernier. M. Colvin est ce diplomate canadien qui a provoqué une tempête politique à Ottawa en affirmant
devant un comité parlementaire à l'automne 2009 que le Canada s'était rendu coupable de complicité de
torture en transférant aux autorités afghanes des prisonniers qui allaient ensuite être maltraités. Ces
déclarations de M. Colvin, qui avait été le numéro deux à l'ambassade du Canada à Kaboul et qui avait
informé les autorités canadiennes de ses craintes en 2006, avaient mis le gouvernement Harper dans
l'embarras. Le ministre de la Défense Peter MacKay et les hauts gradés militaires canadiens avaient nié
avec véhémence ces allégations et avaient mis en doute la crédibilité du diplomate (Pr A10, Dr 17).
Royal Designation: Comment
Saskatoon StarPhoenix editorial: Restoring the term royal to the Canadian Air Force and Navy,
announced by Mr. MacKay, will only serve to symbolize how far our armed forces have fallen from their
glory days. Perhaps this move would be infused with more meaning if the future of Canada's armed
forces were not so uncertain. That is particularly true of the newly named Royal Canadian Navy, hobbled
by the purchase of four used submarines that have been marked mainly by their need for repair. The
reality may be that symbolic support is all the Conservative government can offer. The designation from
the past may be appropriate as some have said the planned purchase of the F-35 fighter jet represents a
backward-looking approach. Regardless of whether one supports or opposes defence spending, it ranks
well below health care and deficit reduction among the priorities of Canadians (SSP A6).
Halifax Chronicle-Herald editorial: Mr. MacKay, I'm sure, was not expecting a royal oui from Franco-folks
like me. But for the record, I am in his camp, even though I don't count for much. Maritime Command was
bland. The Royal Canadian Navy has some real cachet. Prince Peter's royal reversal is hardly
reactionary. It is simply turning tradition into a trademark (HCH A9).
Jack Granatstein’s op-ed on the royal designation was reprinted (EJ A24).
Operation Nanook: Comment
Matthew Fisher: Senior officer LGen Walter Semianiw is to travel to Moscow and other northern European
capitals this fall for discussions about the Arctic. This development mocks the ludicrous media hype
suggesting that there is a bitter rivalry involving Canada, Russia, the United States and Denmark
(Greenland) over their sometimes competing claims and interests in the Arctic. There is far more cooperation than there is friction. As part of Operation Nanook, senior Danish military officials and politicians
are touring there this week with Mr. MacKay and Gen Walt Natynczyk. Part of the operation includes a
military search-and-rescue exercise to respond to a downed civilian aircraft. Almost simultaneously a
coast guard-led marine search-and-rescue exercise is tasked with assisting a grounded ship. These are
the first baby steps as the government figures out what is and is not possible up North. But even this
tentative beginning has seriously taxed Canada's still relatively meagre military airlift capabilities. If the
PM is serious about Canada having a serious role in the shaping of events at the top of the world, it is
going to costs billions of dollars (EJ A24).
ASSOCIATE MINISTER / MINISTRE ASSOCIÉ
No related coverage. / Aucune couverture pertinente.
CDS / CEM
No related coverage. / Aucune couverture pertinente.
CANADA IN AFGHANISTAN / LE CANADA EN AFGHANISTAN
Continued Air Crew Presence in Kandahar
Canadian air force crews will continue flying out of Kandahar Airfield until November as they transport
personnel and supplies for NATO in Afghanistan. Canada's Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing
officially ended its operations Thursday. But two Canadian C-130J transport aircraft and 60 military
personnel will remain. Wing commander Col. Al Meinzinger the aircraft and personnel will “continue to
function up until approximately mid-November supporting ISAF.” He said he could not comment on
reports that U.S. and coalition intelligence specialists are worried that Afghan insurgents now have
access to shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles (D. Pugliese: Ctz A11).
Coverage noted the end of the official operations of Canada’s air wing in Kandahar (Murray Brewster:
HCH B1, RDA A7, HS A7, CG A6).
CF Operations in Libya / Opérations des FC en Libye
No related coverage. / Aucune couverture pertinente.
OPERATION NANOOK / OPÉRATION NANOOK
No related coverage. / Aucune couverture pertinente.
PROCUREMENT / APPROVISIONNEMENT
F-35 Fighter Jet
The Pentagon said Lockheed Martin Corp.'s F-35 test fighter aircraft have been cleared for flight after a
precautionary grounding, but early production models remain parked until a permanent fix is found to a
subsystem failure (J. Wolf: VProv A41).
Halifax Shipyards Requests Environmental Assessment
Halifax Shipyard has asked Ottawa to start an environmental assessment of expansion plans tied to
lucrative federal shipbuilding contracts, even though the company has yet to land the work. Halifax
Shipyard's plans include extending its marginal wharf, infilling and dredging. The company has also
proposed constructing new buildings and a ship launching facility should it land a chunk of the National
Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (J. Alberstat: HCH C1).
OTHERS / AUTRES
Royal Designation: Comment
Susan Riley: This renaming is an exercise in nostalgia that many Canadians will find harmless and some
are applauding. But to many others, not only Quebecers - the Irish, on my other side, will not be pleased it will be seen as provocative, divisive and unnecessary (Ctz A14).
Alec Bruce: The federal government's attempts to restore dignity to the forms and traditions that support
Canada's professional warriors are laudable. But such noble intentions cannot compensate for the
neglect and irascibility that bureaucrats and elected officials have sometimes displayed. Only sound,
relevant, effective and funded policy can show our fighting men and women the respect they richly
deserve (MTT D6).
Allen English, military history teacher: An important part of our heritage is the strong bond that has
existed between the monarchy and our military. But the strands that form it must be nurtured and
renewed from generation to generation. I believe one of the best ways to nurture some of this bond's
strands is to teach the history of those who were and still are part of the CF. But we have no official
history of the last 22 years of the RCAF. That project was cancelled 15 years ago when funding for it was
withdrawn after the directorate of history of DND was downsized. Committing to have that history written
and to adequately fund future histories of the military would be a tangible way to honour Canada's military
heritage and preserve our veterans' legacy (G&M A13).
Scott Nicholas Romaniukis a researcher in the fields of military and strategic studies: The “royal”
restoration might be injurious to the overall image of the banner under which Canadians currently serve. If
the Conservative government wishes to connect further and more positively with Canada’s new
generations, it should cast aside this regal and rather imposing nomenclature (Gaz A21).
Michael Den Tandt’s column on the royal designation was reprinted (WSun 13).
Royal Designation
Coverage profiled the reactions of some veterans to the royal designation name change by the CF. One
member said she finds it interesting the federal government is bringing back the royal designation just as
budgets are being slashed and reservists let go: “Maybe this acts as a bit of a distraction.” Another
veteran said the name change is the right thing to do (D. Stewart: CG A3).
Royal Designation: Poll
A St. John's Telegram poll asked: “Do you support the federal government's move to restore the term
"Royal" to the names of the air and maritime divisions of the Canadian Forces?” Forty-seven percent of
respondents said ‘yes,’ 34 percent said ‘no,’ 15 percent said ‘don’t care’ (SJT B8).
Memorial Plagues Along Highway of Heroes
The sacrifices made by members of the Canadian military and their families are being honoured with 26
bronze plaques that will be placed at intervals along the Highway of Heroes. Each plaque is sponsored by
a company, whose logo is visible below the image depicted on the plaque. Money raised through the
sponsorship goes toward helping military families send children to summer camps, provide psychological
counselling, retrofit homes and vehicles for soldiers returning with injuries or amputations and rehabilitate
soldiers through athletics. The program is a joint effort between the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and
True Patriot Love (J. Hume: NP A2).
Portraits of Honour Tour
Coverage noted the appreciation of Keari Doyle, whose brother MCpl Erin Doyle was killed in
Afghanistan, for the Portraits of Honour tour (J. Warick: SSP A4).
Back to Top
Section: News
Lead: OTTAWA -- The Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces are top heavy in
Ottawa with too many civilians, according to a leaked report.
Headline: War on civvies Forces need more teeth, less tail, feds told
Page: 26
Byline: BRYN WEESE, PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
Outlet: The Toronto Sun
Illustrations:
 graphic by ANTHONY GREEN/ QMI AGENCY CIVILIAN GROWTH
OUTPACESREGULAR FORCES GROWTH Canadian Forces personnel growth, 2004 to 2010
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
OTTAWA -- The Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces are top heavy in Ottawa
with too many civilians, according to a leaked report.
Between 2004 and 2010, civilian hires outpaced uniformed hires three-to-one. And while
headquarters staff in the nation's capital grew almost 40%, the Navy actually shrank in numbers.
The government says those hires were necessary to backfill positions left vacant by Canada's
involvement in Afghanistan, "so that military members could focus their efforts on operational
matters," wrote Jay Paxton, a spokesman for Defence Minister Peter MacKay, in an e-mail
Thursday.
The transformation report, authored by Gen. Andrew Leslie, was submitted in early July but has
yet to be released publicly. QMI Agency obtained a copy from a military source.
"We have too many headquarters, too much cumbersome process, too much overhead, too much
tail," Leslie writes in the 80-page report, which has ruffled feathers in the department and forces
alike.
Leslie proposes substantially paring down the senior executive levels of both DND and the
Forces, and reinvesting those funds in the front lines to protect "the various systems that result in
the people in the ships, battalions and squadrons of aircraft doing the tough and often dangerous
work that Canadians are so proud of," he writes.
"In short, we are going to have to reduce the tail of today while investing in the teeth of
tomorrow."
RELUCTANT TO CHANGE
Experts say previous transformation efforts have largely failed because the institutions are too
reluctant to change.
Leslie warns, though, this time may be different.
"Whether under our control or not, transformation will occur; the times are changing, and we
have to change with them," he writes. "If we don't, the history of previous transformation efforts
shows that our front line output will suffer while the overhead continues to grow. Canadians
deserve better."
Leslie, formerly Canada's army boss before being shuffled to head the transformation office, has
since resigned from the forces and will leave in early September.
Paxton hinted the government will act on the recommendations, many of which he notes will not
be "easy, popular or risk-free.
"Our government will be taking a close look at spending right across government to identify the
savings needed to eliminate the deficit, this includes the Department of National Defence," he
said.
Back to Top
Section: National News
Outlet: The Globe And Mail
Byline: JOHN IBBITSON
Headline: General's report calls for `dramatic' cuts to military
Page: A1
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
National Defence must take an axe to its bloated headquarters by dismissing or reassigning
thousands of workers if the military is to meet its future obligations, concludes a landmark report
charged with transforming the Canadian Forces.
This scathing assessment by Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie, who commanded the Canadian
army during the Afghanistan war, arrives at a pivotal moment for the military, as the army
returns from its troubled mission in Kandahar, the navy and air force seek new ships and aircraft,
and the Conservative government vows to eliminate the federal deficit in a gloomy economy.
``If we are serious about the future - and we must be - the impact of reallocating thousands of
people and billions of dollars from what they are doing now to what we want them to do ...will
require some dramatic changes,'' Lt.-Gen. Leslie writes in Report on Transformation 2011. A
copy of the report has been obtained by The Globe and Mail.
It offers 43 recommendations on how ``to reduce the tail of today while investing in the teeth of
tomorrow,'' eliminating or reassigning some 11,000 of the 145,000 people in National Defence
and the Canadian Forces.
The key recommendations include:
* Redeploying or eliminating 3,500 regular forces personnel who currently hold jobs that serve
little purpose.
* Doing the same to 3,500 civil servants in the department.
* Cutting the number of full-time reservists - many of whom man desks at headquarters - in half,
to 4,500 and converting them to part-time service, while preserving and strengthening their ranks
within communities.
* Cutting 30 per cent from the $2.7-billion spent annually on contractors, consultants and
services provided by the
private sector.
* Consolidating departments that overlap and duplicate each other.
The changes are aimed at ending the ``administrative incoherence ... stifling process, blurred
authorities ... [and] reluctance at all levels to accept managerial risk'' that Lt.-Gen. Leslie
maintains is hobbling the Canadian military's efforts to meet its mandate of protecting Canada's
borders and working with allies overseas.
The changes would save the Canadian Forces an estimated $1-billion a year, the report
concludes.
The Harper government named Lt.-Gen. Leslie Chief of Transformation last year, charged with
recommending ways both to save money and reposition the military for future challenges.
But whether General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Defence Minister Peter
MacKay will act on Lt.-Gen. Leslie's recommendations is unknown. The report itself alludes to
resistance within the military establishment while it was being prepared.
And sources who cannot be identified because they are not authorized to speak to the press tell of
tensions between Lt.-Gen. Leslie and Gen. Natynczyk, who won the job to which Lt.-Gen. Leslie
had aspired. Although the report was delivered to Mr. MacKay in July, National Defence has not
released it.
Liberal and Conservative governments increased military spending 50 per cent between 2004
and 2010, largely in an effort to properly equip and support troops fighting in Afghanistan.
Over those six years the number of people serving in National Defence grew 18 per cent. But the
number of regular Forces personnel - the people who carry guns, fly planes and man ships - grew
only 11 per cent, while the civilian work force swelled by 33 per cent.
At the extreme, the number of people serving in the navy grew by 3 per cent, but the ranks of
civilians swelled by a third, while the number of actual navy personnel declined by 1 per cent.
Despite this burgeoning bureaucracy, Lt.-Gen. Leslie notes, the Canadians Forces are getting
steadily worse at actually spending the money allotted to them for new equipment and other
capital purchases.
By 2009-2010, the department was failing to spend more than $1-billion a year, thanks in part to
``lack of project management capacity ... [an] overly protracted internal review and approval
process'' and ``cumbersome and inflexible'' spending controls.
The report offers a plethora of suggestions, many of them highly technical, for merging
operations, for consolidating staff - so that the same number of people do the same kinds of jobs
at military bases, for example - for contracting out internal operations in areas such as
information management, and for converting full-time staff to part-time or temporary positions.
However, the report notes previous efforts to tame the defence bureaucracy have been defeated
by that very bureaucracy.
As a result ``the headquarters and other overhead grew while ships were decommissioned,
regular and reserve battalions were disbanded and whole aircraft fleets cashed in.''
The same fate, Lt.-Gen. Leslie ruefully acknowledges, could await his own report, noting that his
team met considerable resistance from within the department.
``The tendency was to argue for the preservation of the status quo,'' he reports, noting that some
internal consultations could best be described as ``grimly amusing.''
******
FROM THE REPORT
Reactions to previous reports urging reform
``If the results were likely to cause institutional angst, a variety of options existed, from waiting
until the team disappeared, to conducting lengthy reviews of the recommendations and, finally to
classifying the work to an extent that only a few could see it.''
On resistance to this report
``[At] a large meeting in December 2010 involving the generals, admirals and senior DND civil
servants ... it became apparent the tendency was to argue for the preservation of the status quo. ...
Though grimly amusing, these interactions proved that consensus has not and probably never
will be achieved on any significant change.''
How DND handles funding cuts
``Most subordinate organizations have done their very best to preserve their structures, their
internal funding (what they need to take care of themselves) and their process ... which usually
result in overhead staying much the same while support to the front-line deployable unit is cut far
more than originally forecasted.''
On waste and inefficiency
``These are symptomatic of old processes, new overhead layered on old, lots of committees and
in certain areas a sometimes bewildering number of steps ...to actually achieve a government
directed spending outcome.''
Cause of increasing trend
to not spend allotted money
``The issues of stifling process, blurred authorities and accountabilities, as well as some
reluctance at all levels to accept managerial risk ... go a long way in explaining a disturbing and
increasing trend as to why many hundreds of millions of dollars have remained unspent, starting
in fiscal year 2006/07 and growing to this day.''
*********
NUMBER OF DND PERSONNEL SERVING IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
2004
Regular Forces / 5,440
2005
Regular Forces / 6,196
2004
Reserves / 2,262
2005
Reserves / 3,107
2004
Civilians / 5,497
2005
Civilians / 8,865
THE GLOBE AND MAIL SOURCE: REPORT ON TRANSFORMATION 2011
*******
RELATIVE PERSONNEL GROWTH BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUPING, 2004 - 2010
Naval operations / -1%
Air operations / +7
Land Operations / +21
Admin/Finance / +27
Admin/Finance (National Capital Region) / +57
THE GLOBE AND MAIL SOURCE: REPORT ON TRANSFORMATION 2011
Back to Top
Section: Actualités
Headline: Ottawa a sommé Colvin de rendre ses documents
Page: A10
Outlet: La Presse
Byline: Joël-Denis Bellavance; William Leclerc
Illustrations:
 Le diplomate Richard Colvin a dû remettre des documents sur les détenus afghans au gouvernement
après avoir témoigné devant un comité parlementaire et la Commission d'examen des plaintes
concernant la police militaire.
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Dateline: OTTAWA
Pour éviter toute fuite inopinée, le gouvernement Harper a sommé le diplomate Richard Colvin de lui
remettre tous les documents touchant les détenus afghans qu'il avait en sa possession peu de temps
après sa comparution devant la Commission d'examen des plaintes concernant la police militaire l'an
dernier.
M. Colvin est ce diplomate canadien qui a provoqué une tempête politique à Ottawa en affirmant devant
un comité parlementaire à l'automne 2009 que le Canada s'était rendu coupable de complicité de torture
en transférant aux autorités afghanes des prisonniers qui allaient ensuite être maltraités.
Ces déclarations de M. Colvin, qui avait été le numéro deux à l'ambassade du Canada à Kaboul et qui
avait informé les autorités canadiennes de ses craintes en 2006, avaient mis le gouvernement Harper
dans l'embarras. Le ministre de la Défense Peter MacKay et les hauts gradés militaires canadiens
avaient nié avec véhémence ces allégations et avaient mis en doute la crédibilité du diplomate.
Le ministère de la Justice a envoyé une lettre en mars 2010 à M. Colvin lui intimant l'ordre de remettre
tous les documents qu'il détenait au ministère des Affaires étrangères, a appris La Presse.
M. Colvin, qui est toujours employé par la diplomatie canadienne et est actuellement en poste à
l'ambassade du Canada à Washington, a obtempéré à cette requête trois mois plus tard, soit le 8 juin
2010, démontrent des documents obtenus en vertu de la Loi sur l'accès à l'information.
Témoignage terminé
Dans une note d'information rédigée à l'intention du ministre des Affaires étrangères de l'époque,
Lawrence Cannon, et daté du 9 juin 2010, on invoque des raisons de sécurité nationale pour expliquer la
décision du gouvernement canadien d'exiger le retour de ces documents.
"La divulgation au public de certaines informations peut avoir une incidence directe sur nos activités,
nuire à nos relations et mettre en danger la vie des soldats et des représentants canadiens qui travaillent
en Afghanistan", affirme-t-on dans la note d'information obtenue par La Presse récemment.
On ajoute aussi que M. Colvin a terminé son témoignage devant le comité parlementaire et devant la
Commission d'examen des plaintes concernant la police militaire, lesquels se sont penchés sur le
traitement réservé aux détenus afghans capturés par les Forces canadiennes et transférés aux autorités
afghanes.
Toutefois, on précise que si M. Colvin est appelé à témoigner à nouveau, il pourrait obtenir les
documents "dont il a besoin pour son témoignage".
"Les règles qui régissent la protection et la divulgation d'informations classifiées sont claires et non
ambiguës et le gouvernement du Canada demande à ses employés de respecter les règles régissant le
traitement des documents classifiés", peut-on également lire dans la note d'information.
Il a été impossible d'obtenir la réaction de M. Colvin, hier. Son avocat, Owen Rees, a pour sa part refusé
de commenter la requête du gouvernement fédéral.
Clore la controverse
Le porte-parole du NPD en matière de Défense, Jack Harris, a affirmé que cette manoeuvre du
gouvernement visait à clore de manière définitive la controverse entourant le sort des détenus afghans.
"Ils veulent mettre un couvercle sur toute cette affaire pour s'assurer qu'aucune autre information ne soit
divulguée. En toute franchise, je crois qu'ils ont réussi avec la collaboration du Parti libéral et du Bloc
québécois", a-t-il affirmé.
Dans la foulée des déclarations de M. Colvin, un comité parlementaire a été mis sur pied pour passer au
peigne fin tous les documents du gouvernement portant sur les détenus afghans. Le NPD avait refusé de
participer à ce comité.
Après 12 mois de travail du comité, le gouvernement fédéral a rendu publiques 4000 pages de
documents largement caviardés en juin. Ces documents ne contenaient pas d'informations nouvelles,
mais selon les conservateurs, ils démontraient que le gouvernement Harper n'avait rien à se reprocher
dans ce dossier. Les partis de l'opposition ont affirmé au contraire que de nombreuses questions
demeuraient toujours sans réponse.
Back to Top
Section: Forum
Outlet: The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)
Headline: Designation short of a fix
Page: A6
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Source: The StarPhoenix
Restoring the term royal to the Canadian Air Force and navy will only serve to symbolize how
far our armed forces have fallen from their glory days.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced this week the historical names Royal Canadian Air
Force and Royal Canadian Navy will return to "right a historic wrong" dating back to 1968 when
the forces were united under a single military command.
While the symbolic move will appease some veterans and monarchists, returning to a name with
roots in Canada's colonial past will have little resonance for those whose feelings about the
monarchy are marked by indifference (unless there's a hip royal couple on tour).
Perhaps this move would be infused with more meaning if the future of Canada's armed forces
were not so uncertain.
That's particularly true of the newly named Royal Canadian Navy, hobbled by the purchase of
four used submarines from Britain that have been marked mainly by their constant need for
repair. It was recently reported that the HMCS Windsor is now limited in its ability to dive after
repairs to rust patches on its hull were deemed too expensive.
So now this critical problem can be referred to as royal rust.
The HMCS Victoria and HMCS Chicoutimi, also among the four subs purchased by the former
Liberal government in 1998, have spent substantial chunks of time in dry dock being repaired.
Hardly the stuff of recruitment videos that hearken back to the navy's proud past. Incidentally,
attaching "her majesty's" designation to these now Canadian ships hasn't helped them become
any more seaworthy.
But the reality may be that symbolic support is all the Conservative government can offer.
The major spending it would take to provide the human resources the military will require is
unlikely to happen even under a Conservative government ostensibly supportive of defence
spending in principle.
The stark political landscape for the next four years will be marked by retrenchment in the
massive spending that saw the Tories set a record budget deficit.
Military budgets have always been contentious in Canada and that will be more the case in the
next few years as government spending dips and Canadians remain split over recent participation
in the Afghanistan war.
The federal government is currently pondering a $35-billion shipbuilding contract to replace the
fleets of Canada's navy and coast guard. The awarding of this contract to a Canadian bidder
threatens to saddle the Tories with a political dilemma that could limit progress.
By comparison, the Conservatives' pledge to spend at least $17.6 billion to buy 65 F-35 fighter
jets looks like a bargain - even though 52 per cent of Canadians oppose the purchase in a recent
Environics poll and allies, such as Australia, appear to be pulling out of the Joint Strike Fighter
program.
Some suggest the purchase of fighter jets represents a backward-looking approach - which would
make the royal tag from the past appropriate - and by the time Canada takes possession of the
fighters unmanned aircraft, or drones, will dominate warfare.
Plus the parliamentary budget officer has warned the fighter purchase could reach as high as $29
billion.
Regardless of whether one supports or opposes defence spending, it ranks well below health care
and deficit reduction among the priorities of Canadians.
Reaching back into history for a name that could become political poison when Prince Charles
becomes king of England will do little to solve the issues facing Canada's military.
THE editorials that appear in this space represent the opinion of The StarPhoenix. They are
unsigned because they do not necessarily represent the personal views of the writers. The
positions taken in the editorials are arrived at through discussion among the members of the
newspaper's editorial board, which operates independently from the news departments of the
paper.
Back to Top
Section: Editorial
Outlet: The Chronicle-Herald
Headline: The Royal Canadian Navy: a common-sense revolution
Page: A9
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Peter MacKay, I'm sure, was not expecting a royal oui from Franco-folks like me.
But for the record, I am in his camp, even though I don't count for much. Maritime Command
was bland. The Royal Canadian Navy has some real cachet.
Quite possibly, this is a minority view across Canada, and most likely within Quebec. If you
listen to the pundits, our confr&egraveres in Confederation won't take too kindly to the
restoration of the monarchy in the monikers of the Canadian navy and air force. Take heed, they
say, for Quebec nationalists might exploit the newly minted colonial connotations for their own
gain.
Meanwhile, Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, amusingly, is officially not amused. Speaking for
the NDP, Newfoundland MP Jack Harris said MacKay's move would "prove divisive." He was
right about that. Nova Scotia's own Peter Stoffer, the NDP's veterans affairs critic, came out and
saluted the Conservatives.
"Having the designation 'royal' &hellip is a wonderful link to the past. It gives everyone who
served in the army, navy and air force and served in various wars for King and Country and
Queen and Country a real sense of pride &hellip I think it is a great thing for the government to
do and I thank them for it."
As for moi, I am having trouble seeing how anyone who inhabits the realm of reality can make
waves about this. Please help me connect the dots.
Dot No. 1: All this time, we've faithfully stuck with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police without
complaint &hellip but we can't revert to the Royal Canadian Navy without risking an existential
crisis? Huh.
Dot No. 2: All this time, in the era of the fused Canadian Forces, we never stopped designating
individual vessels "Her Majesty's Canadian Ship" &hellip but somehow placing the entire fleet
back under the aegis of the Queen - well, that might rock the boat (HMCS Spurious?). I don't
know about you, but if all Her Majesty's Canadian ships and all Her Majesty's Canadian subs
don't add up to a Royal Canadian Navy, then I don't know what does.
Dot No. 3: If we're going to spend a king's ransom on the next generation of warships ($35
billion) and fighter jets ($30 billion) &hellip then shouldn't we get the royal treatment?
I think we should.
And so I rise to the defence of the Minister of Defence. He has history, consistency and hard
currency that bears the likeness of Her Majesty on his side.
Not that I am a monarchist by any means. Frankly, I agree, by and large, with those who believe
the institution is antiquated and that no one should be born to rule over us plebes by mere
accident of destiny.
I just don't think it's worth our time to sever our ties. Perhaps I don't feel subjugated enough.
Being a soft Canadian nationalist is a lot like being a soft Quebec nationalist. Ideally, full
independence would be my preference. But this would require a referendum - maybe I should
call it a preferendum - preceded and followed by constitutional contortions that would not give
us better government in the end.
And so I surrendered to the status quo a while ago. Call me a quisling to the republican cause,
but over the years I've even come to appreciate the royal quaintness of this country's institutions.
Now I'm thinking we should embrace, rather than seek to erase, regal symbols.
Of course, you'll never get the Quebecois on board. I'm convinced most of their problem, by the
way, is not with the concept of royalty per se, but with the fact that the British monarchy is the
only one on offer. They don't mind wrapping themselves in the fleur-de-lis - the symbol of the
defunct French monarchy. Perhaps they wouldn't view royalty as such a relic if the throne of
France were still occupied.
In my books, Prince Peter's royal reversal is hardly reactionary. It is simply turning tradition into
a trademark.
As long as he doesn't turn nostalgia into a nuisance - like ditching the superior metric system and
bringing back the inferior imperial measurements - I'm with him.
Back to Top
Section: Opinion
Byline: J.L. Granatstein
Outlet: Edmonton Journal
Headline: Harper Tories can't turn back the clock with 'Royal' rebranding; Monarchy means
little to today's military personnel- or the public
Page: A24
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Source: Ottawa Citizen; Postmedia News
So now we are to have a reborn Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian
Army. These old and historic names have great resonance and no one can deny this. But do they
matter today?
Certainly this renaming is part and parcel of a Harper government plan to put the monarchy more
to the front and centre of Canadian life and to undo the St. Laurent-Pearson-Trudeau-Chrétien
efforts to put Canadian symbols at the heart of this nation's sense of itself.
Under the Liberals, the Red Ensign was dispatched, the Royal Mail became Canada Post, and the
armed forces were unified - all blows at the monarchical connection.
Now the present government has put the Queen prominently back into its revised (and overall
much better) guide for new immigrants, has run the only popular royals - the Duke and Duchess
of Cambridge - around the provinces (after the failure of Prince Charles' tour), has placed a photo
of the Queen in the lobby of the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Ottawa, and has
restored the "R" in RCN and RCAF.
Let there be no doubt that there is a plan here, one that neglects the increasing weakness of the
royal connection for all Canadians, as opinion polls show, and especially to all those who have
come to this blessed land in the last half-century from all over the globe.
For the Canadian Forces, this change probably does not mean much, except that money will need
to be spent on the design and printing of new letterheads, while the makers of badges, shoulder
flashes, and possibly flags and ensigns will reap an unexpected bonanza.
The serving soldiers, sailors, and airmen likely won't care very much, and only the old sweats
will rejoice. But if this change is the precursor of an assault on what remains of the unification of
the three services in 1968 - and the protagonists of the royal designation include most of the
diehard anti-unificationists - then matters may get more serious and costly.
Certainly we can predict that the army corps and services that lost their royal designation with
unification will face the same demand for its restoration. Will the Canadian Engineers, for
example, once more become the RCE? We need to recall why these changes came about. Lester
Pearson was the secretary of state for external affairs in 1956 when he proposed the creation of
the United Nations Emergency Force that froze the Suez Crisis and won him the Nobel Peace
Prize.
The British, French, and Israelis had invaded Egypt, and Canada was to provide an infantry
battalion for the peacekeeping force. But, the Egyptians protested, the Canadians wore Britishstyle uniforms and carried British-pattern weapons, had the Union Jack in the corner of their
flag, and the regiment selected for service was the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. How, Cairo
asked quite sensibly, could Egyptian soldiers and civilians differentiate them from the imperialist
invaders? That was a good question, and Canada made its way into UNEF only because Egypt
came to agree that Canada could provide the logistic troops that the UN force needed to function.
Pearson drew the right lessons from his triumph that had almost turned into a debacle: the British
connection was no longer necessarily a plus for Canada. Thus the Maple Leaf flag and a unified
Canadian Forces with a new uniform and much less "Royal" to it. Many regiments disappeared the Black Watch, the Canadian Guards, and the Queen's Own, all redolent of Empire.
But the survivors - the Royal 22e, the Princess Patricia's, and the Royal Canadian Regiment hung on, the government having only so much gumption. In the 1990s, the Somalia crisis
brought the regimental system under threat and for a time it looked as if Canada might have the
First, Second, and Third Regiments of Canadian Infantry. Perhaps that might have been better,
but again, the Liberals had only so much energy to spend on fighting the military.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay this week talked of our military men and women standing taller
and prouder under the old/new royal designations. This is, of course, claptrap, utter nonsense.
Our men and women in uniform stand tall because they are proud of their own deeds in action
and of their connection to the great and historic battles of their metaphorical ancestors in
Canada's military. They stand tall for the earned traditions they hold dear, not for a royal
designation that is utterly, increasingly, meaningless in the Canada of the 21st century.
The reality is that soldiers fight for their regiments and their comrades; sailors fight for their
shipmates; airmen for their squadron. The grand designations of the RCN and RCAF are
abstractions for most, just as much as the nation is something fought for only as an ideal. The
British connection and the monarchy are even grander abstractions with little or no meaning for
today's servicemen and women. Stephen Harper can propose all he likes, but the reality is that
Canadians in and outside the Canadian Forces have turned their backs on the monarchy.
J. L. Granatstein is the author of Canada's Army: Waging and Keeping the Peace (2011).
Back to Top
Section: Opinion
Byline: Matthew Fisher
Outlet: Edmonton Journal
Headline: Ottawa must pay to be player up north; If Canada wants to shape events in the Arctic,
it will cost billions
Page: A24
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Dateline: RESOLUTE, NUNAVUT
Source: Edmonton Journal
A senior Canadian Army officer - Lt.-Gen. Walter Semianiw - is to travel to Moscow and other
northern European capitals this fall for discussions about the Arctic.
This development mocks the ludicrous media hype suggesting that there is a bitter rivalry
involving Canada, Russia, the United States and Denmark (Greenland) over their sometimes
competing claims and interests in the Arctic.
To be sure, there are differences of opinion about the top of the world. But the reality is there is
actually far more co-operation than there is friction.
"This is beyond search and rescue," the chief of Canada Command told me in a recent interview
upon his European travel plans. "We are going to be talking about military co-operation in the
North."
Officials from Russia and other Arctic Council countries will "table top" an international searchandrescue exercise in the Yukon in October. At this moment, Canadian and Danish warships and
U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers are working together in Arctic waters
after some of the vessels paid a courtesy call on a Greenlandic port. U.S. Coast Guard divers are
on an exercise with Canadians on Cornwallis Island.
As part of Canada's largest-ever training mission in the High Arctic, which began last week,
senior Danish military officials and politicians are touring there this week with Defence Minister
Peter MacKay and Canada's top soldier, Gen. Walt Natynczyk.
More than any other prime minister since John Diefenbaker, Stephen Harper has been talking up
the North a lot and has taken some tentative first steps to increase Canada's capabilities and reach
near the top of the world. To underline that support, Harper is set to make his annual pilgrimage
to the Far North later this month.
Looking out from Resolute Bay's upgraded Polar Continental Shelf Project barracks and research
centre toward the Northwest Passage, there is much to be done and many uncertainties about the
future.
The fabled waterway between China and the Atlantic Seaboard and Europe is totally ice-free this
summer until well west of Lancaster Sound. On a recent day, the only hint of winter 3,000
kilometres due north of Ottawa was a small, solitary iceberg and two-red hulled Canadian
icebreakers bobbing in the breeze nearby.
The story is little different in Baffin Bay. Coast guard monitors in Iqaluit showed me satellitebased maps of a body of water twice as big as the entire Great Lakes that only contain a small
pocket of thin pack ice near the northern end of the bay where Ellesmere Island and Greenland
almost touch.
Although literature on the disappearing ice has been out there for several years now, this still
came as a shock. When I was a regular visitor to these parts in the '80s, pack ice choked the
Northwest Passage and Baffin Bay until late in the summer and often did not break up at all.
Global warming, or whatever you wish to call what has happened to the ice pack across Canada's
Arctic archipelago, is a large part of the growing interest in the region's possibilities.
This summer's variant of Operation Nanook is the Canadian Forces largest exercise ever here.
Resolute is the hub for a multi-faceted training mission that involves highly committed Inuit
Rangers and southern troops, warships and seven different types of manned and unmanned
aircraft spread out across an area about the size of the four western provinces.
Part of the operation includes a military search-and-rescue exercise to respond to a downed
civilian aircraft. Almost simultaneously a coast guard-led marine search-and-rescue exercise is
tasked with assisting a grounded ship.
These are the first baby steps as the Harper government slowly figures out what is and isn't
possible up North. But even this tentative beginning has seriously taxed Canada's still relatively
meagre military airlift capabilities.
The activity that has been taking place in the High Arctic this summer has highlighted the
staggering costs involved to operate in a remote environment where, for example, half of all
flights still have to be scrubbed during the relatively gentle summer window because of fog, high
winds and snow. Drones have waited days to fly for want of parts for a radar system. Prepositioning fuel for air and ground operations has taken weeks.
Despite ferocious competition for tax dollars right now, if the prime minister is serious about
Canada having a serious role in the shaping of events at the top of the world, it is going to costs
billions of dollars.
For starters, the Royal Canadian Air Force has an urgent need for at least two more C-17
transports. The budgeting, design and work on the much talked-about polar class icebreaker is
already behind schedule. Searchand-rescue aircraft should be based in the North. Ditto for a
small fleet of unmanned drones for persistent surveillance.
Fishing vessels are now in Baffin Bay between May and February but the Canadian Coast Guard
is totally absent from the North from November until June.
It is imperative that the coast guard establish a year-round northern presence to prevent the
extreme embarrassment that would have occurred if two tankers bringing fuel to Iqaluit last
November had got into trouble after the small icebreaking fleet had already sailed back to
southern climes. Without such investments Canada will not have much to offer except words
when it sits down to discuss regional co-operation with its polar neighbours.
Back to Top
Section: World
Byline: David Pugliese
Outlet: Ottawa Citizen
Headline: Some Canadian crews stay in Kandahar; Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing
mission ends but two planes, personnel in service until November
Page: A11
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Source: Ottawa Citizen
Canadian air force crews will continue flying out of Kandahar Airfield until November as they
transport personnel and supplies for NATO in Afghanistan.
Canada's Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing officially ended its operations Thursday at
Kandahar Airfield and equipment, such as Griffon helicopters, are already headed back to
Canada.
But two Canadian C-130J transport aircraft and 60 military personnel will remain.
"They'll continue to function up until approximately mid-November supporting ISAF," the wing
commander Col. Al Meinzinger said from Kandahar.
"We have a government commitment of providing 75 hours of logistical support to ISAF,
effectively moving people and cargo around the various airfields in Afghanistan."
The International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, is the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan.
Meinzinger said the air wing, which consists of transport aircraft, helicopters and unmanned
aerial surveillance vehicles, helped save lives of Canadian and coalition troops during its time in
Afghanistan.
He pointed out, for instance, that the wing's Chinook helicopters transported tens of thousands of
soldiers, keeping them off roads where they faced the threat of improvised explosive devices
planted by insurgents.
"The Chinooks moved almost 90,000 passengers during 32 months of operations and about
seven million pounds of cargo," Meinzinger said.
"So of course what that did was it kept the Canadian battlegroup troops, coalition forces, even
ANA, off the roads here."
Meinzinger, however, said he could not comment on reports that U.S. and coalition intelligence
specialists are worried that Afghan insurgents now have access to shoulder-launched surface-toair missiles. The reports suggest that the Chinese missiles made their way into insurgent hands
via Pakistan or Iran.
The Financial Times newspaper has reported that the portable missiles weigh only 16 kilograms
and one was used to destroy a U.S. Chinook helicopter in Wardak province on Aug. 5, killing all
38 aboard, including Navy SEALs.
"We've got a pretty robust system for ensuring the crews are properly briefed up," Meinzinger
said regarding the threat from insurgents. "We track all the events that occur in this particular
area of operations so regardless of what the particular threat is, we're going to make the best
decisions on how to deploy our particular capabilities."
The Canadian air wing stood up at Kandahar Airfield on Dec. 6, 2008 with 200 personnel and
grew to its final operating strength of 450 personnel.
Back to Top
Section: Canada
Byline: Murray Brewster
Outlet: The Chronicle-Herald
Illustrations:
 The Canadian air wing in Afghanistan, which continued to operate following last month's
departure of battle group soldiers, was formally consigned to the history books on Thursday.
(Murray Brewster / CP)
Headline: Air wing ends Afghan mission; Unit 'unquestionably saved lives,' commander says
from Kandahar
Page: B1
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Source: The Canadian Press
OTTAWA THE CANADIAN AIR wing in Kandahar, considered one of those incalculable
intangibles of war and a unit whose presence saved untold lives on brutal Afghan roads, is now
part of the history books.
The air contingent formally stood down at Kandahar Airfield on Thursday in a brief ceremony.
Air wing commander Col. Al Meinzinger described the closure as a "significant day" for the
Canadian Forces, saying the unit helped boost counter-insurgency efforts to "unprecedented
levels" during its 32 months in theatre.
By ferrying nearly 90,000 passengers and seven-million tons of cargo since its inception,
Meinzinger said the air wing played a crucial role in protecting Canadian and coalition soldiers
alike.
"(It made a) huge contribution, unquestionably saved lives," Meinzinger said from Kandahar on
Thursday. "Quite amazing how that capability was introduced so rapidly."
When the lumbering CH-147D Chinook transports and the modified CH-146 Griffon armed
escort choppers appeared in 2008, Canadian troops were dying frequently in ever-increasing
roadside bombings.
The helicopters, along with unmanned surveillance drones, were ordered into Kandahar as a
result of the Manley commission, which reviewed Canada's role in the war.
Helicopter travel is not without risk. Thirty-eight lives were lost when a U.S. Chinook was shot
down earlier this month, while four Canadian soldiers were injured in May when their CH-147
chopper crashed. Despite these incidents, air travel is seen as a much safer alternative to perilous
road convoys, which often fell victim to deadly improvised explosive devices.
How many lives may have been saved by the Manley commission decision is one of those
inappreciable facts that Meinzinger underlined in a recent interview.
"Keeping our brave soldiers off the road was an absolute Godsend to this mission," he told The
Canadian Press last month.
But why it took over two years and the intervention of an independent panel to get those
helicopters into the war zone is one of the more enduring mysteries of the conflict.
When Canada went into Kandahar in 2006 it did not have choppers, even though it was
something ground commanders quickly realized they needed. The U.S. army offered the Defence
Department six used 'D' model CH-147 Chinooks, but the request sat while the air force and the
Harper government tried to arrange the purchase of a more up-to-date model. The offer was
finally accepted at a cost of $282-million.
One of the airforce's greatest accomplishments was staffing the air wing under tight time
restraints, Meinzinger said, likening the experience to staffing situations faced during the Second
World War. Meinzinger said the air wing's tactical airlift unit, two C-130J Hercules transport
planes and about 60 personnel, will operate until mid November.
Back to Top
Section: Money
Byline: Jim Wolf
Outlet: The Province
Illustrations:
 Reuters Files / An Air Force Safety Investigation Board is reviewing a system failure aboard
an F-35A at Edwards Air Force Base,Calif., earlier this month.
Headline: Lockheed F-35 cleared for flight; But early production models still grounded due to
system failure
Page: A41
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Dateline: WASHINGTON
Source: Reuters
Lockheed Martin Corp.'s F-35 test fighter aircraft have been cleared for flight after a
precautionary grounding, but early production models remain parked until a permanent fix is
found to a subsystem failure, the Pentagon's program office said Thursday.
The U.S. is developing three models of radar-evading F-35s with eight international partners Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.
It would be the Pentagon's costliest arms purchase at more than $382 billion US over the coming
two decades for more than 2,440 aircraft.
An Air Force Safety Investigation Board continues to review the failure of an "integrated power
package" aboard an F-35A assigned to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Aug. 2. The
subsystem is built by Honeywell Aerospace, a unit of Honeywell International.
The production aircraft will not return to air or ground operations "until there's a permanent
resolution to the valve issue in place," said Joseph DellaVedova, a spokesman for the F-35
program office.
A total of 20 F-35s were grounded under the suspension of operations announced on Aug. 3,
including the test planes and the early-production aircraft. Lockheed Martin expects the F-35 to
account for more than 20 per cent of revenue once the Pentagon starts full production runs.
Back to Top
Section: Business
Byline: Joann Alberstat Business Reporter
Outlet: The Chronicle-Herald
Headline: Shipyard asks feds to probe expansions tied to contracts; But Halifax firm lacks
shipbuilding deal
Page: C1
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Halifax Shipyard has asked Ottawa to start an environmental assessment of expansion plans tied
to lucrative federal shipbuilding contracts, even though the company has yet to land the work.
The Irving-owned yard asked the federal government last week to start the assessment, which is
required by Fisheries and Oceans Canada because the company's facility is on Halifax Harbour.
Halifax Shipyard's plans include extending its marginal wharf, infilling and dredging. The
company has also proposed constructing new buildings and a ship launching facility should it
land a chunk of the $35-billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.
"The goal is to get environmental assessments and other requirements well underway in order
that Irving Shipbuilding be in a position to proceed promptly once the (strategy) decision is
made, and the projects ultimately require such facilities," Irving spokeswoman Mary Keith said
Thursday in an email.
A decision on the shipyard contracts is expected next month.
Irving's competition is Vancouver Shipyards, owned by Seaspan Marine Corp. of British
Columbia, and a consortium that includes Davie Yards Inc. of Levis, Que.
There is a $25-billion contract to build about 20 warships, an $8-billion contract for coast guard
icebreakers and navy supply ships, and $2 billion for smaller craft and repair work.
The provincial government has said it will help Halifax Shipyard pay for infrastructure if it wins
the contracts but hasn't revealed a dollar figure.
The commitment is separate from the $20-million repayable loan the province gave Irving last
year before the federal shipyard contracts were put out for bid.
The loan was to help upgrade the yard but officials have admitted it could strengthen Irving's
shipbuilding bid.
Irving has yet to use any of the loan, a provincial Economic and Rural Development spokesman
said Thursday.
Back to Top
Section: Editorial
Byline: Susan Riley
Outlet: Ottawa Citizen
Headline: Scratching old wounds in Quebec
Page: A14
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Source: Ottawa Citizen
It increasingly feels as if the sovereigntist moment is over in Quebec, the victim of generational
change as much as economic, or other, factors.
The latest evidence: a federal government so sanguine about Quebec sensitivities that it wants to
restore the "royal" prefix to the country's air force and navy.
This renaming is an exercise in nostalgia that many Canadians will find harmless and some are
applauding. As an ardent admirer of the present Queen and the product of British grandparents
(on one side), my initial reaction to the news was mildly positive.
But to many others, not only Quebecers - the Irish, on my other side, won't be pleased - it will be
seen as provocative, divisive and unnecessary. New Canadians from Algeria, Pakistan, Latin
America, Asia and elsewhere are as likely to be mystified, as miffed. On reflection, I'm with
them.
It is wrong to downplay the virtues of a tolerant, liberal democracy in the name of cultural
sensitivity - public schools allowing the segregation of menstruating young Muslim women
during religious observances on school premises, as happened recently in Toronto, for example.
Sometimes we need to defend our inherited values.
But it is another to make an impudent symbolic change for which there was no public clamour.
Harper's move, of course, also reflects demographic reality. He won his coveted majority without
Quebec. He doesn't need Quebec to win another, even larger victory. This will be even more true
when the Conservatives pass legislation that will give Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta
more seats in the Commons in coming months.
This overdue rebalancing will lessen Quebec's clout, not as a hostile strategy, but as the
byproduct of simple math. Quebec now has 24 per cent of the seats in the 308-member
Commons, and 23 per cent of the population. Because its population has not been growing as
quickly as that of other provinces, its influence should, inevitably, wane. Numbers are
implacable.
This battle over redistribution holds more peril for Quebec and the country than a kerfuffle over
military nomenclature. Or should, unless the sovereignty movement is dead altogether. Either
way, it leaves Quebec's new champions in Ottawa, the federal New Democrats, in a delicate
position.
As spelled out by leader Jack Layton in April, New Democrats support the addition of new seats
in Ontario and the West, but do not want Quebec's influence diminished. They'll have both, in
other words.
This week, interim leader Nycole Turmel was blasting the Conservatives for being "divisive" in
even introducing redistribution. While supporting the additional seats, she insists on more study
so that rural ridings, northern regions and other communities are ensured fairer representation.
The more honest, and direct, way of making this case rests on an old notion that has been
variously called "special status", "distinct society", or "asymmetrical federalism." It asks the nonFrench speaking majority to exempt Quebec from the ruthless logic of numbers, because its
history is inextricably linked to the history of this country, because it has enriched, and continues
to enrich Canada, because it is "special."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper frequently reminds Canadians that Quebec is the birthplace of
the country. Over time, his government has moderated its proposed redistribution so that Ontario
will get four more seats, British Columbia two and Alberta only one - less, say critics, than
numbers warrant in a truly representative system.
What has also changed, of course, is the politics of Quebec. Gilles Duceppe, having suffered the
most precipitous fall in recent memory, can't even keep his short-lived gig at Radio Canada.
Pauline Marois, on the fast track to the premier's office only months ago, is now fighting off
dissidents in her own movement.
On the federal level Quebecers turned, en masse, to a federalist party in the last election. More
banally, they are replacing American tourists in eastern Ontario holiday resorts along the
Thousand Islands this summer.
A personal anecdote may illustrate this new mood among French-speaking Quebecers - a
mixture of impatience with the sterile federalist/sovereigntist wars and confident curiosity about
the larger world.
Vélo Quebec's annual weeklong cycle tour ventured this year, for the first time, into Ontario including a stop in Brockville, home of the infamous flag-stomping incident during the
constitutional wars of the late 80s, when some protesters wiped their feet on a fleur-de-lis.
What's interesting is that none of the 1,900 mostly-francophone cyclists appeared to care, notice,
or remember that ancient slight. Their impressions of Ontario, as reported to me: The roads are
smoother than in Quebec and the people "quieter and more polite."
Could we be at a heady juncture in our national life where quality of health care (abysmal in
many places) and economic prospects (uncertain, especially for the young) matter more than the
lettering on a warship?
Hope so. If we are going to disagree, let's make it over something that matters.
Susan Riley writes on national politics. E-mail sriley.work@gmail.com.
Back to Top
Section: Opinion
Headline: Military name change rights an historic wrong
Page: D6
Outlet: Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
With one sunny, summertime stroke of genius, the federal government has righted a wrong
committed 43 years ago when a less enlightened administration amalgamated Canada's armed
forces into one insipid, indistinct organization.
Now, it only remains for the Department of Defence and Veterans Affairs to make amends for
the neglect they've sometimes shown, during their own era, toward the nation's fighting men and
women returning from the world's theaters of war.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Harper announced the end of Canada's "Land Forces
Command" and "Maritime Command" and the reconstitution of "The Royal Canadian Navy" and
"The Royal Canadian Air Force". The ground-pounding branch of the military will be known
simply as "The Canadian Army".
The move is largely symbolic, but not insignificant. The 1968 decision to blur the lines between
the services was a colossal miscalculation, managing only to infuriate active and retired soldiers
and their families. If it was designed to save money and coordinate the military's operations more
efficiently, it did neither.
By restoring the historic designations, the feds are honoring the individual achievements and
sacrifices of the separate branches; this at a time when troops are still prosecuting overseas
conflicts with, at best, worn-out materiel and fuzzy objectives.
Still, as a morale booster and public relations coup, it could not be more effective. The prime
minister's attitudes toward the military have evolved, albeit subtly, over the years. He values it
now both for the indispensable and heroic work it does and the glory it reflects on his
government's foreign policy. His seemingly latent appreciation for the titular role the British
crown plays in heartening the lives of Canadians (particularly outside Quebec) explains, at least
in part, his embrace of marshal traditions.
Yet, this government has not always reciprocated, in its treatment of veterans, the military's
service to the country. A Toronto Star piece in 2010 recorded the plight of 85-year-old John
Sheardown, a former bomber pilot and diplomat who helped liberate six American hostages from
Iranian captivity in 1980. "Suffering from Alzheimer's and recovering from a broken hip, he is
languishing in hospital and faces a wait of up to 18 months for a bed in a veterans' long-term
home in Ottawa," the newspaper revealed.
"The Sheardowns applied for a bed for John at the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre in
Ottawa, Nearly two months later, he and his wife were still waiting to hear whether he was
eligible for care in the centre. After the Star story appeared, the centre contacted Zena
Sheardown to tell her that her husband has been placed on a waiting list at Perley. However, he is
not on the list for the veterans' side of the nursing home but rather for an adjacent community
wing."
Even more damning, perhaps, was a CTV.ca report that same year which quoted outgoing
veterans' ombudsman, retired colonel Pat Strogan, in a fit of undisguised rage over the treatment
of Canadian servicemen and women: "It is beyond my comprehension how the system could
knowingly deny so many of our veterans the services and benefits that the people and the
government of Canada recognized a long, long time ago as being their obligation to provide."
Strogan, never a wallflower, clashed repeatedly with his political masters during his three-year
tenure, especially over the decision to replace life-long pensions for injured veterans with lumpsum payouts. "I was told by a senior Treasury Board analyst, who shall remain nameless, that it
is in the government's best interest to have soldiers killed overseas rather than wounded because
the liability is shorter term," he fumed.
If this was true, then it was inexcusable.
The federal government's attempts to restore dignity to the forms and traditions that support
Canada's professional warriors are laudable. But such noble intentions cannot compensate for the
neglect and irascibility that bureaucrats and elected officials have sometimes displayed.
Only sound, relevant, effective and funded policy can show our fighting men and women the
respect they richly deserve.
? Alec Bruce is a Moncton-based writer. His column appears Monday through Friday.
Back to Top
Section: Comment
Outlet: The Globe And Mail
Byline: ALLAN ENGLISH
Headline: Honouring our military heritage
Page: A13
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
It's been suggested that the historic bonds between Canada's military and the monarchy that were
broken by Paul Hellyer's 1968 unification of the three armed services into the Canadian Forces
will be re-established with the reintroduction of the names Royal Canadian Navy and Royal
Canadian Air Force into our military lexicon. But that link was never completely broken.
On the day that Mr. Hellyer's unification took effect, our navy still sailed in Her Majesty's
Canadian Ships, air force squadrons retained their historic ``400 series'' squadron numbers with
their battle honours emblazoned on squadron colours still featuring traditional squadron crests
under the sovereign's crown, and army regiments and branches retained their royal designations.
Despite the introduction of green uniforms for all, for those of us serving at the time, cap badges
and other emblems such as aircrew ``wings'' surmounted by the crown demonstrated that there
was no doubt that our oath of allegiance taken on enrolling in the Canadian military (similar to
today's oath - ``I ... do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, her heirs and successors according
to law, forever. So help me God.'') was still in force. If one sees the bond that connects the
military to the monarchy as a rope of many strands, the end of the RCN and RCAF may have cut
two of them, but many others remained in place.
An important part of our heritage is the strong bond that has existed between the monarchy and
our military, and the many events involving the photogenic Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and
the military on their recent visit to Canada highlighted that historic bond. But the strands that
form it must be nurtured and renewed from generation to generation. Prince William's active
military service as a search and rescue helicopter pilot, showcased during the visit, and the
combat service of his brother (Prince Harry) in Afghanistan have done much to renew some of
those strands with today's generation of Canadians who also serve in uniform. But not all the
strands have been nurtured well in this country.
As someone who served in both the RCAF and the Canadian Forces and is the son of an RCAF
bomber pilot and RCAF (Women's Division) non-commissioned officer who both served
overseas in the Second World War, I believe one of the best ways to nurture some of this bond's
strands is to teach the history of those who were and still are part of it. But we have no official
history of the last 22 years of the RCAF.
That project was cancelled 15 years ago when funding for it was withdrawn after the directorate
of history of the Department of National Defence was downsized. Committing to have that
history written and to adequately fund future histories of the military would be a tangible way to
honour Canada's military heritage and preserve our veterans' legacy.
As a historian, I understand the importance of gestures such as the one made by the government
to restore the royal designation to the navy and air force. Gestures also renew strands in the bond
with the monarchy. But what will be gained if two strands are renewed while others are severed
or left to rot?
Veterans played a key role in restoring the proud names of the RCAF and RCN to the Canadian
military - but what value are names if they carry no meaning to future generations? Perhaps
they'll now consider advocating for the resources needed to ensure that our military's past
endures and remains a vibrant part of our heritage.
Allan English teaches Canadian military history at Queen's University.
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Section: Editorial / Op-Ed
Byline: Scott Nicholas Roamaniuk
Outlet: Montreal Gazette
Headline: Reinstating 'royal' military tags is archaic and harmful to identity
Page: A21
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Dateline: ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Source: The Gazette
This week the Harper government announced that Canada's Maritime Command, Air Command
and Land Force Command will be known from now on as the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal
Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army, respectively - designations that were eliminated
more than four decades ago.
In 1968 Paul Hellyer, then minister of defence in the federal Liberal government, scrapped the
old names as he amalgamated the navy, the air force and the army into a single structure - the
Canadian Forces - with a single uniform.
The change comes at a time when a number of shifts in the global political and economic fabric
demand that Canada's military adapt to new paradigms of security and defence. But far from
bridging the gap between the Canadian Forces and their burgeoning responsibilities, the name
change represents a disconnect with the presentday concept and the future role and capabilities of
the military. A move that increases ties to the British crown is more divisive than unifying - and
unification is a concept fundamentally entrenched in the character of Canada's military forces.
Canada is a conglomerate of communities that seeks to defend its values and morals, not use the
historical roots of its armed forces to wage war in the name of them. The "royal" restoration
might be injurious to the overall image of the banner under which Canadians currently serve.
Many veterans who served in what were then the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air
Force and the Canadian Army wanted the traditional names returned. There was a 40-year
letterwriting campaign by veterans pressing for the rebranding of the Canadian Forces. Ottawa's
recent submission to this appeal seems to be an attempt to connect the interests of a few
traditional politicians with a Canadian minority. Many who are not a part of the group of
veterans will see it as little more than an empty link to the past.
Even to some with connections to the military the move is a sore point. The spokesperson for the
Royal Canadian Legion, Bob Butt, said the government money that will be spent on making the
change "would be better used to equip our sailors, soldiers, and airmen."
Robert Finch, the chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada, opines that "by having the
word 'royal,' you are underlining the fact that the Queen is the head of the armed forces. . I think
it's important to drive home the point that the military is nonpartisan or political. They're not the
prime minister's or the defence minister's; they are the Queen's." But those signing up to serve in
Canada's military forces retain the choice to pledge their allegiance, not only to the Queen, but
also to God.
Canada is no longer a colony. It is no longer part of the dominions that might march to war
against monarchal opponents on the battlefield amid musket and cannon fire. These imperial
appellations are as archaic as the empire that Canada served and supported for more than a
century. Canada is an independent country that has taken many strides to forge its own unique
identity as influenced and inspired by new generations, not one that represents solely those of the
(distant) past.
If the Conservative government wishes to connect further and more positively with those new
generations, it should cast aside this regal and rather imposing nomenclature.
Scott Nicholas Romaniukis a Dollard des Ormeaux native who is a conflict analyst and
researcher in the fields of military and strategic studies, andinternational security and politics. He
is affiliated with the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of
Aberdeen and the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of
St. Andrews, Scotland.
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Section: Editorial/Opinion
Lead: Jack Granatstein is one of Canada's pre-eminent historians. His critiques of flabby federal
defence policy over the years, and his spirited championing of the Canadian military, are
legendary.
Headline: Abject colonialism? Say it ain't so
Page: 13
Byline: MICHAEL DENTANDT
Outlet: The Winnipeg Sun
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Jack Granatstein is one of Canada's pre-eminent historians. His critiques of flabby federal
defence policy over the years, and his spirited championing of the Canadian military, are
legendary.
On the issue of re-naming the Canadian Forces, however, the estimable scholar is out to lunch,
with great respect.
Abject colonialism, he calls it. Pshaw, as a good monarchist would say. He should give his head
a shake.
In restoring the 'Royal' designations of the Canadian air force and the navy, and returning to the
army its historic name as well (Canadian Army) the federal conservatives have corrected a longstanding slight. Here's a bet: The vast majority of servicemen and women will welcome this
move, though it is primarily symbolic, and so will most civilians.
We all know the history: In 1968, infused with reformist zeal and flower-power hubris, thenLiberal defence minister Paul Helyer merged the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian
Navy and Canadian Army into one force with a single uniform (green) and unified command
structure.
The idea was to streamline decision-making, enhance co-operation and increase efficiency.
Sound familiar? This is the clarion call of power-hungry bureaucrats in all places at all times.
The Liberals' true purpose, it seems far more likely, was simply to weaken what were then stillpowerful national institutions. Despite his uninhibited use of the military during the October
Crisis of 1970, Pierre Trudeau neither liked nor trusted soldiers. Nor was he an Anglophile.
Indeed, Trudeau's signature achievement was to repatriate the Canadian Constitution, a symbolic
severing of ties with Britain.
So, what better way to weaken these institutions politically, than to strip them of their noble old
names and replace them with something anodyne? Among other things, it would make them
easier to downsize.
That is, of course, precisely what happened: All through the time of Trudeau's ascendancy, with
barely a respite during the Mulroney years, and then again with renewed vigour during the Jean
Chretien era, the Canadian military was gutted by governments who took our security for
granted. It wasn't until the horror of 9/11 that a border-conscious Liberal government began the
long process of rebuilding, which the Conservatives carried on beginning in 2006.
Abject colonialism? You could say the same about the recent visit of William and Kate. Where
were the cries then for a federal-provincial conference that would abolish the monarchy,
eliminate the Senate and introduce a Canadian republic, with a president at its head? Hmm. Let's
organize that, shall we? Invite First Nations and the Premiers. It should be fun. Everyone will
agree and there will be a consensus. Just as happened during the Meech and Charlottetown
debates.
Let's be serious: The monarchy is in no danger of disappearing anytime soon. That's because
most Canadians are fond of it. They were fond of it before Will and Kate and they are even more
so, with a beautiful princess and a helicopter- pilot everyman poised to inherit the throne.
Given this, it only makes sense to slip the 'Royal' back into the air and sea services' names,
returning to them their pre-1968 cachet.
It won't cost a bunch of money, as the defence minister has made clear. Name plates, badges and
such things will be converted gradually, as the existing ones are replaced. And it sends an
unmistakable message of appreciation and respect to Canadian men and women in uniform, at a
time when they deserve no less.
MICHAEL.DENTANDT@SUNMEDIA.CA
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Section: Provincial
Byline: Dave Stewart
Outlet: The Guardian (Charlottetown)
Illustrations:
 Aboriginal artist Levi Cannon is shown in front of his latest creation, a wood carving of a
biplane to commemorate the former Upton Airport, in Charlottetown at the corner of North River
and Beach Grove roads.
Headline: Former navy member rejects criticism of royal designation
Page: A3
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
A Charlottetown man who spent 25 years in the navy thinks it's downright silly to suggest a
name change is akin to returning to colonialism.
Lyle Richardson, who retired as a master seaman in 2006, agrees with the decision this week to
return the royal designation to the army, navy and air force.
That designation was removed by the Pierre Trudeau government on April 1, 1968.
But Eugene Whelan, an agriculture minister in the Trudeau government, set off a firestorm of
controversy Thursday. Whelan blasted the Stephen Harper government for bringing back the
royal designation and then sarcastically suggested Harper's next move would be to get rid of the
Canadian flag and bring back the Union Jack.
"I mean, come on. That's just pure petty politics, that's all that is," Richardson told The Guardian
on Thursday.
Some critics have also asserted that bringing back the royal designation is akin to returning to the
country's colonialism days. Richardson disagrees.
"Oh, absolutely not. That is such a ridiculous statement I hear people making, especially people
who should know better."
Greg Gallant, who runs the P.E.I. Regiment Museum, dismisses arguments espoused by critics.
"These would be people who have never served," Gallant said. "I think of the people who served
under that royal term and when they changed it, it was kind of a kick in the teeth to those guys."
Retired major Dave Currie of Charlottetown said he understands why some people have a
difficult time with why the change hurt those who served prior to 1968.
Currie suggested those people consider the public outcry if the federal government suddenly
decided to strip the Royal Canadian Mounted Police of its royal designation and called the
national police force 'Police Canada'.
"I look at the RCMP as an identity," Currie said. "When we lost the Royal Canadian Air Force
(and) Royal Canadian Navy, that was our identity."
The Guardian talked to some people currently serving in the military on Thursday but none of
them wanted to be quoted.
One member said she finds it interesting the federal government is bringing back the royal
designation just as budgets are being slashed and reservists let go.
"There goes decades of tradition," she said of the cuts.
Richardson said she makes an interesting point.
"Maybe this acts as a bit of a distraction," he said.
Cynicism aside, Richardson said bringing back the royal designation was the right thing to do.
"It's sort of a good nod back at our military history and heritage. If you ask me, Royal Canadian
Navy always sounded good; Royal Canadian Air Force always sounded good."
Back to Top
Section: News on the Go
Outlet: The Telegram (St. John's)
Headline: ON WEDNESDAY WE ASKED:
Page: B8
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Do you support the federal government's move to restore the term "Royal" to the names of the air
and maritime divisions of the Canadian Forces?
YOU SAID:
Yes 47%
No 34%
Undecided 3%
Don't care 15%
Back to Top
Section: News
Byline: Jessica Hume
Outlet: National Post
Illustrations:
 /
 Tyler Anderson, National Post / Rick Hillier unveils one of the 26 bronze plaques, the
sponsorship of which will aid military families and injured soldiers.
Headline: Bronze plaques to line Highway of Heroes; 'Good recognition'
Page: A2
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Dateline: TORONTO
Source: National Post
TORONTO . The sacrifices made by members of the Canadian military and their families are
being honoured with 26 bronze plaques that will be placed at intervals along the Highway of
Heroes, which runs from Trenton to Toronto.
Announcement of the plaques took place Thursday in Toronto and was observed by about 100
people, including Canadian soldiers, their families, parliamentarians and corporate sponsors.
Each plaque is sponsored by a company, whose logo is visible below the image depicted on the
plaque. Money raised through the sponsorship goes toward helping military families send
children to summer camps, provide psychological counselling, retrofit homes and vehicles for
soldiers returning with injuries or amputations and rehabilitate soldiers through athletics.
The program is a joint effort between the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and True Patriot
Love, a national foundation created by civilians with the aim of fostering better understanding
between Canadians and the military.
The idea for the foundation was formed when Michael Burns, executive vice-president of
Accretive Advisor and also a co-founder of True Patriot Love, attended the funeral of a friend's
youngest son, a soldier who died on duty.
"The funeral was for the son of the past director of the Royal Military College; he had four sons,
all of them served Canada," said Mr. Burns. "The youngest was killed in August 2007. The
patriotism at the funeral was amazing.
"But the funeral also gave me a sense that my generation is increasingly disconnected from the
military, from what's going on in Afghanistan."
Mr. Burns spoke with retired general Rick Hillier about holding a gala to raise funds for the
families of military personnel.
"We wanted to raise $1million," Mr. Burns said. "We raised $2.3-million. We saw real support."
That support is not lost on Canadian soldiers. Sergeant Cameron Laidlaw, 33, of the Royal
Canadian Regiment, third battalion, has toured Afghanistan twice.
"I enjoy the thought that I could be driving down the Highway of Heroes and see the plaques,"
he said. "It shows an appreciation to every military member. It's good recognition from everyday
people."
The Highway of Heroes is the additional name for the stretch of Highway 401 that runs between
CFB Trenton and Toronto. The bodies of fallen soldiers, upon being returned to Canada, are
driven along the highway from the base to the coroner's office in Toronto.
Private Anna Davidovitch, 25, works in a Toronto military recruiting centre. "I got teary when
they were talking about [the plaques]," she said.
"It's heartbreaking to hear about a soldier dying. We're all like family; every time a soldier dies I
go to the bridges on the Highway of Heroes. I appreciate the plaques."
Back to Top
Section: Local
Byline: Jason Warick
Outlet: The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)
Illustrations:
 / Master Cpl. Erin Doyle
Headline: Soldier's sister appreciates portrait event
Page: A4
Date: Friday 19 August 2011
Source: The StarPhoenix
Keari Doyle remembers the drive down the Highway of Heroes in Ontario in August 2008, and
is encouraged Saskatoon officials are re-creating a similar event here this weekend.
"It brings back a lot of memories," said Doyle, a Kamloops, B.C., native now working at the
CFB Dundurn daycare.
Doyle's brother, Master Cpl. E r i n D o y l e , was killed by a rocket grenade in Afghanistan. His
body was returned to Canada on the same day as the body of Saskatoon's M a s t e r C p l .
Joshua Roberts.
The D o y l e s stayed in the same hotel as Roberts's family and the families connected through
their common loss.
Doyle joined the rest of her family in accompanying her brother's body on the road between CFB
Trenton and Toronto now known as the Highway of Heroes.
"It was really hard to go through, but it was a huge honour," she said.
"My brother would not have done anything differently. I was proud of him."
Doyle said she appreciates the efforts of Saskatoon officials and those organizing the crossCanada Portraits of Honour Tour.
The Kinsmen and Kinettes clubs are hosting three events today and Saturday to raise money for
the Military Families Fund.
The centrepiece of the festivities is a 13-metre-by-three-metre mural featuring hand-painted
portraits of the 156 Canadian military personnel killed in Afghanistan. The mural, created by
volunteer artist Dave Sopha, will arrive under police escort at River Landing at about 10 a.m.,
with a formal unveiling and other events at 11 a.m.
On Saturday, there will be a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon across the street from the
Saskatoon Farmers' Market on Avenue A. Saturday at 1 p.m. will be the Saskatchewan Highway
of Heroes event. A cavalcade on the Saskatoon to Martensville highway will result in traffic
delays for about one hour. The journey will end at the Dalmeny home of one of the soldiers. The
public is encouraged to attend wearing red and white, and to park on a side grid road rather than
on the highway.
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