Justin Trudeau hints at boosting Canada’s military spending

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Federal Transport Minister this morning:

Canada is “expanding and broadening our horizons” in “how we think about defence and security” and “developing new ways in which we measure contributions” so that’s why the Federal Government is investing in 6 regional transportation projects in British Columbia.
Take that China and Russia. Our fortress is impenetrable.

 

[FJAG]

Federal Transport Minister this morning:

Canada is “expanding and broadening our horizons” in “how we think about defence and security” and “developing new ways in which we measure contributions” so that’s why the Federal Government is investing in 6 regional transportation projects in British Columbia.
Take that China and Russia. Our fortress is impenetrable.

Translation: "Someone just pointed out to us that national defence and security is important. Who knew? Mind you, we're still trying to figure out how to make it look like we're spending more without really doing it."

 

[Cloud Cover]

Translation: "Someone just pointed out to us that national defence and security is important. Who knew? Mind you, we're still trying to figure out how to make it look like we're spending more without really doing it."

Correct me if I’m wrong but one of the primary reasons for building the CPR was to thwart American economic dominance over trade in and out of the west. So, I can see transportation investment is economic defence spending with a side order of railroad military fries.

OMG I’m thinking about defence like a Liberal.

 

[foresterab]

Successive provincial governments across Canada have under invested in health care, to the benefit of provider pay and detriment of covered people.

The mobility of CAF families is a problem in terms of healthcare coverage.

Outside the box idea: scrap the undergrad programs currently offered at CMR, certify a medical program thru the GoQ, deliver conversion training for foreign trained docs, then use those family docs to cover CAF members and expand CAF medical coverage to CAF families (billing the provinces for it).

I still think of doubling the CAF medical capacity...or tripling it. Heck quadruple it. Now base those units around major centers, but near CAF bases/reserve units where they can serve but have real life experience working via provincial hospitals....and for that matter let them serve in uniform so everyone knows who is paying the bill. Let the condition be that CAF medicals are part of their core mandate.

Victoria? Kanata Ontario (greater Ottawa), Toronto? Winnipeg. Halifax, Fredericton....list goes on.

In the event of a shooting war there has to be a demand for field hospitals either for combat casualties or evacuated civilian care. And it's a long lead time resource due to training needs for surgeons/doctors/dentists etc.
Domestic response? Check
DART Foreign aid mission - Check.

It's not maybe hard military power like Armour units, artillery, combat vessels and fighters are...but damn useful and key components for Force expansion plans.

 

[lenaitch]

Should be mandatory that CAF members/immediate family are put to the first of the line for doctors taking on new patients - better yet, family doctors MUST take CAF and immediate family members are patients, regardless of waitlists.
If I was King for a Day, I would turn this into law.

Being 'first in line' for something that doesn't exist is cold comfort. Given CAF postings, families would probably just go from first on one list to first on the next.

I don't know the legislative framework in Ontario and whether the provincial government could make that type of demand on a doctor who is, in fact, a private contractor who happens to bill a single payer for their services. There are practical limits as well. I believe Ontario has a guideline of 2400 patients per physician. I'm not sure being on a roster for someone who simply has no time to see you is much progress.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Successive provincial governments across Canada have under invested in health care, to the benefit of provider pay and detriment of covered people.

You cant cant fault the electorate for not understanding Health Care in Canada when all levels of our government will use it as a campaign tool.

I'll vote for the first federal party whos Health Care campaign promise is "That's a provincial matter, next question please."

 

[CountDC]

I still think of doubling the CAF medical capacity...or tripling it. Heck quadruple it. Now base those units around major centers, but near CAF bases/reserve units where they can serve but have real life experience working via provincial hospitals....and for that matter let them serve in uniform so everyone knows who is paying the bill. Let the condition be that CAF medicals are part of their core mandate.

Victoria? Kanata Ontario (greater Ottawa), Toronto? Winnipeg. Halifax, Fredericton....list goes on.

In the event of a shooting war there has to be a demand for field hospitals either for combat casualties or evacuated civilian care. And it's a long lead time resource due to training needs for surgeons/doctors/dentists etc.
Domestic response? Check
DART Foreign aid mission - Check.

It's not maybe hard military power like Armour units, artillery, combat vessels and fighters are...but damn useful and key components for Force expansion plans.

Halifax has (had?) a nice little hospital at stad that included after hours emergency service and an ambulance. Went there one evening on an emergency basis, was seen right away, treated and admitted for a week. Considering they told me if I had gone home and went to sleep I wouldn't have woken up I was glad not to have to go to an emergency room that at best would have had me waiting 8 hours at which point they probably would have been sending me to the morgue.

I know hc is provincial but if we can be seen by doctors as military members then it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to provide family coverage for at least the basics of a family doctor.

 

[foresterab]

Halifax has (had?) a nice little hospital at stad that included after hours emergency service and an ambulance. Went there one evening on an emergency basis, was seen right away, treated and admitted for a week. Considering they told me if I had gone home and went to sleep I wouldn't have woken up I was glad not to have to go to an emergency room that at best would have had me waiting 8 hours at which point they probably would have been sending me to the morgue.

I know hc is provincial but if we can be seen by doctors as military members then it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to provide family coverage for at least the basics of a family doctor.

I've been told St. Albert general hospital (suburbia Edmonton) has a significant military presence from the medical units keeping skills sharp. I had one unexpected visit there many years ago and was very impressed by how fast and well things went.

The only concern is how many military medical units would need to be manned up to account for all the different CFB bases and units? I can see some synergies in a location like Toronto who has the following:

• 4th Canadian Division Headquarters
• 4th Canadian Division Support Group, Garrison Toronto
• 32 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters
• 32 Service Battalion
• 32 Combat Engineer Regiment
• 32 Signal Regiment
• 32 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre
• 25 Field Ambulance
• 2 Military Police Regiment Headquarters
• Governor General's Horse Guards
• Queen's York Rangers
• 48th Highlanders of Canada
• Lorne Scots Regiment
• Queen's Own Rifles
• Royal Regiment of Canada
• Toronto Scottish Regiment
• 7th Toronto Regiment
• The Ontario Regiment (33 CBG)
• Her Majesty's Canadian Ship York
• The Canadian Forces College
• Assistant Judge Advocate General, Central Region
• National Defence Public Afffairs Office - Ontario
• Canadian Forces Environmental Medicine Establishment, a part of Defence Research and Development Canada's Toronto Research Centre
• Regional Cadet Support Unit Central, Niagara & Greater Toronto Area Office

In a case like this it might make sense to have a regional location where medical services are offered for CAF members/families.

But does this continue to units like the 116th Independent Field Battery, RCA in Kenora Ontario? tougher call and way higher pressure to staff all locations. I still think of major regional hubs and CFB bases but aware some units will be calling out the differences in care.

A quick google search also indicates that for Reservists health care is provided at different levels depending on employment contract, days of service per year, and on the job/off job coverage. Have to think - assuming the medical care capacity existed - this could be a carrot for those CAF Reserve members who attend most training vs. rarely.

I also wonder about foreign trained medical staff accelerating their Canadian accreditation through the CAF but not sure of security/in-processing times needed for these roles. Is it attractive to tell them it's a 3-5 year commitment or should this be shortened up? No idea and I'm really out of my lane here but again might be a positive carrot for the CAF.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Halifax has (had?) a nice little hospital at stad that included after hours emergency service and an ambulance. Went there one evening on an emergency basis, was seen right away, treated and admitted for a week. Considering they told me if I had gone home and went to sleep I wouldn't have woken up I was glad not to have to go to an emergency room that at best would have had me waiting 8 hours at which point they probably would have been sending me to the morgue.

I know hc is provincial but if we can be seen by doctors as military members then it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to provide family coverage for at least the basics of a family doctor.

Had. That level of service is long gone. Sadly.

 

[GK .Dundas]

I still think of doubling the CAF medical capacity...or tripling it. Heck quadruple it. Now base those units around major centers, but near CAF bases/reserve units where they can serve but have real life experience working via provincial hospitals....and for that matter let them serve in uniform so everyone knows who is paying the bill. Let the condition be that CAF medicals are part of their core mandate.

Victoria? Kanata Ontario (greater Ottawa), Toronto? Winnipeg. Halifax, Fredericton....list goes on.

In the event of a shooting war there has to be a demand for field hospitals either for combat casualties or evacuated civilian care. And it's a long lead time resource due to training needs for surgeons/doctors/dentists etc.
Domestic response? Check
DART Foreign aid mission - Check.

It's not maybe hard military power like Armour units, artillery, combat vessels and fighters are...but damn useful and key components for Force expansion plans.

I see a lot of Military personnel at Winnipeg HSC .
Including a few in our and out medical garb . Don't know if they're all working there or what.

 

[daftandbarmy]

I've been told St. Albert general hospital (suburbia Edmonton) has a significant military presence from the medical units keeping skills sharp. I had one unexpected visit there many years ago and was very impressed by how fast and well things went.

The only concern is how many military medical units would need to be manned up to account for all the different CFB bases and units? I can see some synergies in a location like Toronto who has the following:

• 4th Canadian Division Headquarters
• 4th Canadian Division Support Group, Garrison Toronto
• 32 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters
• 32 Service Battalion
• 32 Combat Engineer Regiment
• 32 Signal Regiment
• 32 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre
• 25 Field Ambulance
• 2 Military Police Regiment Headquarters
• Governor General's Horse Guards
• Queen's York Rangers
• 48th Highlanders of Canada
• Lorne Scots Regiment
• Queen's Own Rifles
• Royal Regiment of Canada
• Toronto Scottish Regiment
• 7th Toronto Regiment
• The Ontario Regiment (33 CBG)
• Her Majesty's Canadian Ship York
• The Canadian Forces College
• Assistant Judge Advocate General, Central Region
• National Defence Public Afffairs Office - Ontario
• Canadian Forces Environmental Medicine Establishment, a part of Defence Research and Development Canada's Toronto Research Centre
• Regional Cadet Support Unit Central, Niagara & Greater Toronto Area Office

In a case like this it might make sense to have a regional location where medical services are offered for CAF members/families.

But does this continue to units like the 116th Independent Field Battery, RCA in Kenora Ontario? tougher call and way higher pressure to staff all locations. I still think of major regional hubs and CFB bases but aware some units will be calling out the differences in care.

A quick google search also indicates that for Reservists health care is provided at different levels depending on employment contract, days of service per year, and on the job/off job coverage. Have to think - assuming the medical care capacity existed - this could be a carrot for those CAF Reserve members who attend most training vs. rarely.

I also wonder about foreign trained medical staff accelerating their Canadian accreditation through the CAF but not sure of security/in-processing times needed for these roles. Is it attractive to tell them it's a 3-5 year commitment or should this be shortened up? No idea and I'm really out of my lane here but again might be a positive carrot for the CAF.

You should strip out the ARes units from that list. The CAF doesn't really manage much/ any of their medical needs.

Where you have a high concentration of Reg F families... that's the high traffic areas.

 

[foresterab]

You should strip out the ARes units from that list. The CAF doesn't really manage much/ any of their medical needs.

Where you have a high concentration of Reg F families... that's the high traffic areas.

While I acknowledge that the main push would be for CAF primary bases....assume you have triple the capacity within the medical section?

I think there is a case for have a medical unit working out of a major center that covers three objectives:
1) provides a focus for enlistment medicals to be done to accelerate that process
2) easier to recruit to working out of Toronto than Wainwright to address some retention issues? I admit you'd need to be a doctor to afford a house in Toronto right now though so double edged sword.
3) may assist with Reserve unit capacity especially in a place like Toronto with so many units within the GTA which in turn may assist with recruitment/retention if increased medical coverage is part of the package. Kenora...although I like your fishing up there...not the same game.

If you only have double the capacity...then obviously the coverage area/units involved become a much smaller presence.

 

[CountDC]

While I acknowledge that the main push would be for CAF primary bases....assume you have triple the capacity within the medical section?

I think there is a case for have a medical unit working out of a major center that covers three objectives:
1) provides a focus for enlistment medicals to be done to accelerate that process
2) easier to recruit to working out of Toronto than Wainwright to address some retention issues? I admit you'd need to be a doctor to afford a house in Toronto right now though so double edged sword.
3) may assist with Reserve unit capacity especially in a place like Toronto with so many units within the GTA which in turn may assist with recruitment/retention if increased medical coverage is part of the package. Kenora...although I like your fishing up there...not the same game.

If you only have double the capacity...then obviously the coverage area/units involved become a much smaller presence.

3) I think would be hard to sell as the units in 32 Bde all have a large number of members at 165 plus reserves for each unit. Now if they cleaned up the NES that might be a different story - 384 not paid in last 180 days. One unit shows 179 on strength but 35 haven't been paid in 180 plus days.

 

[daftandbarmy]

3) I think would be hard to sell as the units in 32 Bde all have a large number of members at 165 plus reserves for each unit. Now if they cleaned up the NES that might be a different story - 384 not paid in last 180 days. One unit shows 179 on strength but 35 haven't been paid in 180 plus days.

As I recall, that's not too bad.

Mainly it has to do with the time available for (usually overloaded) BOR staff to complete the NES process...

 

[daftandbarmy]

Trump trashes Canada, and our military, alot...

 

[Czech_pivo]

Trump trashes Canada, and our military, alot...

Well it had to come to this eventually - it’s obviously been done the ‘polite’ way by the US, UK, France and the Secretary General of NATO for the better part of decade and virtually NOTHING has been done. Word salad, lip service, thoughts and prayers that’s the best that we’ve managed in that time frame.
The big Orange Man has dropped the gloves and it calling our bluff. What are we now going to do about it? Whine and bitch in true Canadian style?

 

[OldSolduer]

The big Orange Man has dropped the gloves and it calling our bluff. What are we now going to do about it? Whine and bitch in true Canadian style?

I do regard Trump as a bit of a buffoon but he is a buffoon elected to the highest office in the USA.

I see all kinds of "buy Canadian" ads and hear it on the radio. Yes its what we should when practical and not just cause a Canadian buffoon tells you to.

I hear people booing the US anthem - not cool btw - your fight is with a buffoon and his stooges. BTW this buffoon in the US has true power.

 

[JLB50]

I do regard Trump as a bit of a buffoon but he is a buffoon elected to the highest office in the USA.

I see all kinds of "buy Canadian" ads and hear it on the radio. Yes its what we should when practical and not just cause a Canadian buffoon tells you to.

I hear people booing the US anthem - not cool btw - your fight is with a buffoon and his stooges. BTW this buffoon in the US has true power.

Maybe this is what Americans need in order to realize that all of us dumb Canucks are happy not being the 51st state and that we actually have feelings. Or that we take exception to our livelihoods being severely impaired (while he laughs about it) and we also object to having our prime minister (whether you like him or not) being belittled and called Governor Trudeau.

 

[PrairieFella]

Yes, but as a US citizen and tax payer, when we see the rest of NATO having a lot of perks that we don’t (Medicare etc) it’s really annoying in a period of dramatically increased global tensions that several NATO member countries are still in max relax mode on the couch.

No one is forcing the Americans to spend 3.65% GDP on Defence. The defence budget is allowed to be cut. Ultimately it's priorities, your government doesn't care about the Poors, simple as.

 

[PrairieFella]

I do regard Trump as a bit of a buffoon but he is a buffoon elected to the highest office in the USA.

I see all kinds of "buy Canadian" ads and hear it on the radio. Yes its what we should when practical and not just cause a Canadian buffoon tells you to.

I hear people booing the US anthem - not cool btw - your fight is with a buffoon and his stooges. BTW this buffoon in the US has true power.

That buffoon was elected by 77 million Americans and several tens of millions also didn't vote. Government for the people by the people means its their fault when they elect a pseudo-fascist. Booing is pretty tame considering the government they elected is hellbent on destroying and absorbing us.