Canada’s Military Decline

Canada’s Military Decline by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East We are now a few days from the inauguration of the second Trump presidency in the United States and Canada will probably be affected by it in a not very positive way due to the threat of the 25% tariff and a neglect on the part of Canada to secure its borders. We are also in the process of a liberal party leadership contest, which will end with a new Canadian Prime Minister albeit for a short period before a general election. Most of the issues that Canada has in the new geopolitical context is due to the neglect of its manufacturing industry, scientific innovations and a total disregard for strengthening the capacity of its border controls, especially in the Arctic. To defend the borders and the Arctic you need a flexible organization ready to deploy on short notice and capable of responding decisively to any threat to our suzerainty. This organization is the Armed Forces, which has been neglected for decades now in Canada, by politicians of all stripes. Well, our neighbor south of the border no longer wants to pay for the defence of Canada and justly asks us for the contribution due for Canada’s defence. Therefore, our politicians will need to move fast, taking responsible and effective action. Lip service will no longer suffice. The current situation of our Armed Forces, as I have repeatedly said, is deplorable, and the politicians of this country will be forced to deal with it soon, like it or not. Despite commitments to NATO and promises of increased defence spending, Canada remains far below the alliance’s 2% GDP benchmark, leaving its Armed Forces underfunded and ill-equipped. Strategic regions like the Arctic are increasingly vulnerable to threats from Russia and China due to unfulfilled modernization plans. A mix of lofty rhetoric and lackluster follow-through has marked the last Liberal Government in particular. This was very evident in the realm of national defence and security. When it comes to protecting Canada’s strategic interests, the Liberal government under Trudeau’s leadership has proven to be among the weakest of any modern Prime Minister. However, there is no excuse for the previous Conservative government either, which vacillated to approve, when it had the tools, the acquisition of the F35s ten years ago. That was a clear sign of the continued neglect of the needs of the Armed Forces. The inability of several governments in succession, to replace aging equipment, from fighter jets to naval vessels, and modern land fighting vehicles has left the Canadian Armed Forces struggling to fulfill even its most basic responsibilities. For a country with vast territorial waters, an increasingly contested Arctic, and a close partnership with the United States, this neglect is indefensible. The Arctic, in particular, stands as a glaring symbol of the Trudeau Liberal government’s shortcomings, when he had the opportunity to correct the unfulfilled promises of the previous Conservative government. The region is critical to Canada’s sovereignty and security, yet the government has done little to assert control over this strategically vital area. As Russia and China ramp up their presence in the Arctic, Canada’s capabilities remain woefully inadequate. Promises of bolstered Arctic patrols and modernized icebreakers have largely gone unfulfilled, as well as building a deep port in the Arctic, leaving Canada vulnerable in a region that is rapidly becoming a focal point of great-power competition. If sovereignty is defined by the ability to project power and influence within one’s own borders, then Canada has fallen short especially under the Trudeau government. Equally troubling is the state of Canada’s broader strategic posture. Trudeau’s government has often appeared more concerned with projecting an image of Canada as a moral beacon than with addressing hard security realities. This has led to a pattern of overpromising and under delivering. While Trudeau’s government released a defense policy in 2017 that committed to “Strong, Secure, Engaged,” the actual implementation of this strategy has been halting at best. The policy called for significant investments in personnel, equipment, and capabilities, yet the funding and political will to follow through have been sorely lacking. The result is a Canadian military that is overstretched, under-resourced, and increasingly irrelevant on the global stage. The most damning critique of Trudeau’s approach to national security lies in his failure to understand that defense and sovereignty are not optional luxuries but core responsibilities of the state. This misunderstanding is evident in the government’s repeated delays and mismanagement of defence procurement projects. From the botched effort to replace the CF-18 fighter jets to the prolonged and still-unresolved plans for new naval vessels, Trudeau’s government has shown a stunning lack of urgency. These delays not only weaken Canada’s military capabilities but also signal to allies and adversaries alike that Canada is not serious about its defence commitments. At a time when the alliance is facing renewed threats from Russia and an increasingly assertive China, Canada’s underperformance is more than an embarrassment; it is a liability. The same can be said for Canada’s defence relationship with the United States. As Washington grows increasingly focused on great-power competition, Canada risks being seen as a weak link in the North American defence partnership. In assessing Trudeau’s legacy, it is tempting to focus on his strengths as a communicator and his ability to project Canada as a progressive, outward-looking nation. Yet these qualities cannot obscure the reality that his record on national defence and security has been deeply flawed. For all his talk of Canada’s role as a global leader, Trudeau has neglected the fundamental building blocks of sovereignty and security. His tenure has left Canada less prepared, less capable, and less credible in a world that is growing more dangerous by the day. Justin Trudeau’s time as Prime Minister will likely be remembered for many things, but his handling of national defence and security will not be among his proudest achievements. While he has occasionally articulated a compelling vision for Canada’s place in the world, his government has consistently failed to back that vision with the necessary resources and resolve. In this sense, Trudeau has not only failed to deliver on his promises but also failed the fundamental test of leadership: the ability to protect and advance the national interest. Let us hope that the next liberal leader and incoming Prime Minister will have some new ideas for protecting and making Canada proud again. The future-in-the-making will soon be revealed.