Canada to beef up military punch in Afghanistan, but no more infantry

More support elements, such as heavy artillery and, possibly aircraft, are expected to find their way to the battlefield, Lt.-Gen. Michel Gauthier, who is in charge of the Ottawa-based Canadian Expeditionary Force, acknowledged Friday.

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dont forget more debt for canadians. we only have 32 million paying taxes compared to 300 million americans paying taxes. even with 300 million paying taxes the debt is going up.

i cant wait untill canadian forces come home so we can spend more money on problems in canada instead. so far looks like canada is going to dive into the debt hole just like america, right?

We have a commitment in Afghanistan, what's wrong with beefing up the support they need? The gov't has underfunded the military for so long that most are used to it. Time for that to end imo. Hell, give them what they need to do their job. Look at the past waste in the gov't, Gun Registry and Sposorship scandal for example, for wasted money. Not on the tools that our boys and girls need.

Conspiracy Master,

Obviously your government understands that it is not in Canada's best interests to allow a totalitarian, terrorist friendly government (Taliban) to return to any semblance of authority in Afghanistan. I admire it's foresite and willingness to sacrifice for the future.

Originally posted by conspiracymaster
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dont forget more debt for canadians. we only have 32 million paying taxes compared to 300 million americans paying taxes. even with 300 million paying taxes the debt is going up.

No it wont go up because Canada has been in surplus territory for almost a decade now. We are actively paying off our debt.

i cant wait untill canadian forces come home so we can spend more money on problems in canada instead. so far looks like canada is going to dive into the debt hole just like america, right?

Nope. Incorrect. Canada is a Resource based nation. We gots oil, and lots of it.

As for Afghanistan, I say we pull out of Combat operations ASAP. As long as the US remains preoccupied in Iraq, the Afghan mission is a failure.

hey it's got to be done...we're already there and honestly if you take a look at Canada's involvement in the Middle East over the past decade, you can see that we've been in there like a dirty shirt for some time.

In total over $15 Billion dollars have been promised and allotted to the Military over a five year plan. Another 15 Billion is slated for equipment, vehicle and weapons upgrades as well as for training and recruitment.

We're not walking out of Afghanistan...be reasonable. Walk away from a multi-billion dollars worth of investments???

Canada has been trading education, engineering, humanitarian relief, business services, cultural exchanges...you name it...for years in the Middle East.

Do yah really think that our 32 million tax payers are the sole sponsors of Canada's military???

Recommended reading for anyone with interest:


2006 Budget

Personal Tax Measures

Military and Crime Budget

Canada's Surplus and Debt

Canada's Military in Depth

The State of the Canadian Military

Middle East Investments

Canada's Military and Spending: Exploding the Myths**note LMAO this should make a good starting case for the MISMANAGEMENT of Canada's Military!...looking for a current version...will post...

This gives you a starting point for further reading and searching if you have the interest.

I say it's time to stop whining about the fact that we're engaged in an active "war-time" scenario and support our people and country. If my taxes go up and it means that the Military has better equipment, better training, better housing and care, better family supports, better child care and benefits...well...easy choice right?

We as a Militarized country need to understand that our Military is an ASSET...a business...and a profitable one if managed properly and given support of it's people and politicians.

Canada's Military is something we should support in war times or peace, and for too long now it's been shelved and it's decay has been all too apparent.

My two cents, as an anti-war, pro-recruitment fence sitter. Perilous yes?




[edit on 1/19/2007 by justgeneric]

This is good news.
The rest of NATO might not want to play a bigger role in Afghanistan but its good to see the Canadian government step up to the plate. Now that the rest of NATO is being put to shame it would be a good time for the NZ SAS to return to Afghanistan if there not fighting there now under a blanket of secrecy.

I'm all for more military spending on our forces. They've been neglected for too long, it's pretty sad. Not that I want to see obscene amounts spent on the military. I would just like to see our forces better equipped and prepared.