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Thursday, August 28, 2025

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Scott Taylor

Scott Taylor is editor and publisher of Esprit de Corps magazine.

The hits keep coming for the CAF

  • If soldiers do know what the Nazi salute symbolizes and do it anyway, then they have no business wearing a Canadian uniform.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 25, 2025
Due to alleged soldier misconduct, Canada’s military has received three black eyes in rapid succession, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Brian Lindgren

The hits keep coming for the CAF

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 25, 2025
  • If soldiers do know what the Nazi salute symbolizes and do it anyway, then they have no business wearing a Canadian uniform.

The hits keep coming for the CAF

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 25, 2025
  • If soldiers do know what the Nazi salute symbolizes and do it anyway, then they have no business wearing a Canadian uniform.
Due to alleged soldier misconduct, Canada’s military has received three black eyes in rapid succession, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Brian Lindgren

The case for making national service mandatory

  • If one-year military engagements were part of a mandatory youth national service program, there would be a steady flow of new recruits for the
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 18, 2025
A 12-month stint of required youth service with the military could be a much-enhanced version of the current Naval Experience Program, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Braden Trudeau

The case for making national service mandatory

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 18, 2025
  • If one-year military engagements were part of a mandatory youth national service program, there would be a steady flow of new recruits for the

The case for making national service mandatory

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 18, 2025
  • If one-year military engagements were part of a mandatory youth national service program, there would be a steady flow of new recruits for the
A 12-month stint of required youth service with the military could be a much-enhanced version of the current Naval Experience Program, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Braden Trudeau

It’s time to strike back at Trump’s tactics

  • Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed whacked Canada with a whopping trade tariff, perhaps it's time to make sure that economic pain
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 11, 2025
There are downsides to cancelling the remainder of the F-35 purchase and operating a mixed fighter fleet into the future, but the savings may balance out, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo Sr.

It’s time to strike back at Trump’s tactics

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 11, 2025
  • Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed whacked Canada with a whopping trade tariff, perhaps it's time to make sure that economic pain

It’s time to strike back at Trump’s tactics

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 11, 2025
  • Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed whacked Canada with a whopping trade tariff, perhaps it's time to make sure that economic pain
There are downsides to cancelling the remainder of the F-35 purchase and operating a mixed fighter fleet into the future, but the savings may balance out, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo Sr.

The Armed Forces’ selective accountability

  • Two senior officers have already been sanctioned in the early days of the Blue Hackle Mafia affair, which contrasts oddly with previous military scandals.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 4, 2025
Heads have begun to roll in the ‘Blue Hackle Mafia’ scandal, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Facebook first published by The Ottawa Citizen

The Armed Forces’ selective accountability

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 4, 2025
  • Two senior officers have already been sanctioned in the early days of the Blue Hackle Mafia affair, which contrasts oddly with previous military scandals.

The Armed Forces’ selective accountability

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 4, 2025
  • Two senior officers have already been sanctioned in the early days of the Blue Hackle Mafia affair, which contrasts oddly with previous military scandals.
Heads have begun to roll in the ‘Blue Hackle Mafia’ scandal, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Facebook first published by The Ottawa Citizen

Sniffing out alleged terrorists in the military’s ranks

  • This is exactly what the hard-pressed CAF did not need at this juncture—another bad news story to throw on the pile.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 28, 2025
The RCMP arrested four men on July 8 who were allegedly involved in activities intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Québec City area. Military-style training in which the accused took part. Photograph courtesy of the RCMP

Sniffing out alleged terrorists in the military’s ranks

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 28, 2025
  • This is exactly what the hard-pressed CAF did not need at this juncture—another bad news story to throw on the pile.

Sniffing out alleged terrorists in the military’s ranks

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 28, 2025
  • This is exactly what the hard-pressed CAF did not need at this juncture—another bad news story to throw on the pile.
The RCMP arrested four men on July 8 who were allegedly involved in activities intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Québec City area. Military-style training in which the accused took part. Photograph courtesy of the RCMP

Standing on ceremony

  • With the current state of the Canadian Armed Forces, perhaps it is time to drop the historical re-enactment duties.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 21, 2025
Members of Lord Strathcona's Horse spent 10 days as the King’s Life Guard. Using regular force and reserve combat soldiers to parade in period costume is no longer necessary, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Standing on ceremony

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 21, 2025
  • With the current state of the Canadian Armed Forces, perhaps it is time to drop the historical re-enactment duties.

Standing on ceremony

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 21, 2025
  • With the current state of the Canadian Armed Forces, perhaps it is time to drop the historical re-enactment duties.
Members of Lord Strathcona's Horse spent 10 days as the King’s Life Guard. Using regular force and reserve combat soldiers to parade in period costume is no longer necessary, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Raising hackles: why can’t the CAF help stepping on their own dicks?

  • Protecting the military’s reputation should never take priority over actually handling an issue, like that of the service members involved in a Facebook group sharing
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 14, 2025
The self-proclaimed ‘Blue Hackle Mafia’ Facebook group posted images of male soldiers in uniform exposing their genitals, others posing naked with Canadian Forces weapons, or simulating sexual acts with each other in uniform. Photograph courtesy of Facebook first published by The Ottawa Citizen

Raising hackles: why can’t the CAF help stepping on their own dicks?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 14, 2025
  • Protecting the military’s reputation should never take priority over actually handling an issue, like that of the service members involved in a Facebook group sharing

Raising hackles: why can’t the CAF help stepping on their own dicks?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 14, 2025
  • Protecting the military’s reputation should never take priority over actually handling an issue, like that of the service members involved in a Facebook group sharing
The self-proclaimed ‘Blue Hackle Mafia’ Facebook group posted images of male soldiers in uniform exposing their genitals, others posing naked with Canadian Forces weapons, or simulating sexual acts with each other in uniform. Photograph courtesy of Facebook first published by The Ottawa Citizen

Is the CAF past the point of no return?

  • Perhaps the Liberals need to do more than make promises of massive budget increases if there are too few personnel left in uniform to
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 7, 2025
Senior leadership may be accurate in assessing a seven-year window to recover the military. However, in what universe can that be considered a plan, asks Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Brendan Gamache

Is the CAF past the point of no return?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 7, 2025
  • Perhaps the Liberals need to do more than make promises of massive budget increases if there are too few personnel left in uniform to

Is the CAF past the point of no return?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 7, 2025
  • Perhaps the Liberals need to do more than make promises of massive budget increases if there are too few personnel left in uniform to
Senior leadership may be accurate in assessing a seven-year window to recover the military. However, in what universe can that be considered a plan, asks Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Brendan Gamache

Investing in critical minerals would be a win-win for Canada

  • An investment in tungsten production could benefit all of our NATO allies, allowing them to source Canadian rather than Chinese tungsten.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, with U.S. President Donald Trump at the recent G7 Summit in Alberta. Carney has indicated that defence infrastructure investment could include things like the development of Canada's critical minerals, notes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

Investing in critical minerals would be a win-win for Canada

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 30, 2025
  • An investment in tungsten production could benefit all of our NATO allies, allowing them to source Canadian rather than Chinese tungsten.

Investing in critical minerals would be a win-win for Canada

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 30, 2025
  • An investment in tungsten production could benefit all of our NATO allies, allowing them to source Canadian rather than Chinese tungsten.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, with U.S. President Donald Trump at the recent G7 Summit in Alberta. Carney has indicated that defence infrastructure investment could include things like the development of Canada's critical minerals, notes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

Time to walk the walk

  • A clear way to demonstrate to Canadians that he is not simply posturing would be for PM Mark Carney to cancel the remaining F-35 order.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2025
There's an ongoing review of Canada’s acquisition of 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen

Time to walk the walk

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2025
  • A clear way to demonstrate to Canadians that he is not simply posturing would be for PM Mark Carney to cancel the remaining F-35 order.

Time to walk the walk

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 23, 2025
  • A clear way to demonstrate to Canadians that he is not simply posturing would be for PM Mark Carney to cancel the remaining F-35 order.
There's an ongoing review of Canada’s acquisition of 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen

Carney’s CAF spending spree

  • Unfortunately, the one resource which the military is critically lacking is something that cannot be easily bought: trained personnel.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 16, 2025
A bigger paycheque may cause some existing soldiers to stick around, but simply wearing a uniform does not provide relief for the burnt-out personnel who are trades qualified, and in high demand for operations, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician

Carney’s CAF spending spree

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 16, 2025
  • Unfortunately, the one resource which the military is critically lacking is something that cannot be easily bought: trained personnel.

Carney’s CAF spending spree

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 16, 2025
  • Unfortunately, the one resource which the military is critically lacking is something that cannot be easily bought: trained personnel.
A bigger paycheque may cause some existing soldiers to stick around, but simply wearing a uniform does not provide relief for the burnt-out personnel who are trades qualified, and in high demand for operations, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician

How soon should we expect this ‘immediate’ military overhaul?

  • The defence minister said the feds will take ‘immediate and decisive action to rebuild Canada's defence capacity’—but announced nothing further.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2025
David McGuinty
David McGuinty
In Europe, Defence Minister David McGuinty backed away from the word ‘immediate,’ noting the federal government will have more to say ‘very soon’ about its plans, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How soon should we expect this ‘immediate’ military overhaul?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2025
  • The defence minister said the feds will take ‘immediate and decisive action to rebuild Canada's defence capacity’—but announced nothing further.

How soon should we expect this ‘immediate’ military overhaul?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 9, 2025
  • The defence minister said the feds will take ‘immediate and decisive action to rebuild Canada's defence capacity’—but announced nothing further.
David McGuinty
In Europe, Defence Minister David McGuinty backed away from the word ‘immediate,’ noting the federal government will have more to say ‘very soon’ about its plans, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The misadventures of Navy procurement

  • Successive governments routinely state ‘nothing is too good for our military,’ and therefore ‘nothing’ is what they get.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2025
Canadian and French helicopters sit on the flight deck of the Mistral off the coast of Gaspé, Que., on June 20, 2014. DND photograph by MCpl Patrick Blanchard

The misadventures of Navy procurement

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2025
  • Successive governments routinely state ‘nothing is too good for our military,’ and therefore ‘nothing’ is what they get.

The misadventures of Navy procurement

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 2, 2025
  • Successive governments routinely state ‘nothing is too good for our military,’ and therefore ‘nothing’ is what they get.
Canadian and French helicopters sit on the flight deck of the Mistral off the coast of Gaspé, Que., on June 20, 2014. DND photograph by MCpl Patrick Blanchard

Soldiers left out in the cold—again

  • Despite all the bluster about defending our Arctic, our military procurement system is proving incapable of providing resources durable enough for use in our
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2025
Perhaps we need to better highlight those multimillion-dollar contracts that just piss away money on equipment that is unusable in the North, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Dan Bard

Soldiers left out in the cold—again

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2025
  • Despite all the bluster about defending our Arctic, our military procurement system is proving incapable of providing resources durable enough for use in our

Soldiers left out in the cold—again

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 26, 2025
  • Despite all the bluster about defending our Arctic, our military procurement system is proving incapable of providing resources durable enough for use in our
Perhaps we need to better highlight those multimillion-dollar contracts that just piss away money on equipment that is unusable in the North, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Dan Bard

New defence minister, same old woes

  • Defence Minister David McGuinty is going to need a lot of support from Carney's Liberal government to truly right the CAF ship.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 21, 2025
David McGuinty brings a modicum of cabinet experience and a modicum of intelligence awareness to his new defence portfolio, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

New defence minister, same old woes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 21, 2025
  • Defence Minister David McGuinty is going to need a lot of support from Carney's Liberal government to truly right the CAF ship.

New defence minister, same old woes

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 21, 2025
  • Defence Minister David McGuinty is going to need a lot of support from Carney's Liberal government to truly right the CAF ship.
David McGuinty brings a modicum of cabinet experience and a modicum of intelligence awareness to his new defence portfolio, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Martial pride on parade

  • Trump's planned spectacle will look like amateur hour compared to what Russia, China, and North Korea routinely stage for their masses.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2025
The U.S. president is handing international viewers a direct comparison of his country’s military fitness, drill, and deportment against the super well-rehearsed Russian showboats, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Dmitriy Fomin

Martial pride on parade

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2025
  • Trump's planned spectacle will look like amateur hour compared to what Russia, China, and North Korea routinely stage for their masses.

Martial pride on parade

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 12, 2025
  • Trump's planned spectacle will look like amateur hour compared to what Russia, China, and North Korea routinely stage for their masses.
The U.S. president is handing international viewers a direct comparison of his country’s military fitness, drill, and deportment against the super well-rehearsed Russian showboats, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Dmitriy Fomin

Can the Canadian Forces avoid getting goosed by wild geese?

  • Perhaps our military planners could avoid a repeat of this year's Canada goose dilemma by having service dogs on the Carling Campus grounds.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2025
Residents of our nation's capital are all-too aware of how threatening these geese can be during the spring mating season after they have laid their eggs, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Sunny

Can the Canadian Forces avoid getting goosed by wild geese?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2025
  • Perhaps our military planners could avoid a repeat of this year's Canada goose dilemma by having service dogs on the Carling Campus grounds.

Can the Canadian Forces avoid getting goosed by wild geese?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 5, 2025
  • Perhaps our military planners could avoid a repeat of this year's Canada goose dilemma by having service dogs on the Carling Campus grounds.
Residents of our nation's capital are all-too aware of how threatening these geese can be during the spring mating season after they have laid their eggs, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Sunny

Canada’s sub-standard submarines

  • Can the Royal Canadian Navy really lose a capability that it doesn't actually possess?
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2025
HMCS Windsor takes part in Exercise Cutlass Fury on Sept. 18, 2016. It is the only one of Canada's four Victoria-class submarines that has been to sea since 2021, notes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of DND/Cpl. Chris Ringius

Canada’s sub-standard submarines

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2025
  • Can the Royal Canadian Navy really lose a capability that it doesn't actually possess?

Canada’s sub-standard submarines

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 28, 2025
  • Can the Royal Canadian Navy really lose a capability that it doesn't actually possess?
HMCS Windsor takes part in Exercise Cutlass Fury on Sept. 18, 2016. It is the only one of Canada's four Victoria-class submarines that has been to sea since 2021, notes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of DND/Cpl. Chris Ringius

Federal election brings new crop of defence promises to break

  • Both governing parties have a proven track record of neglecting Canada's national defence and veterans.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2025
Whichever way you cast your vote in the coming election, do not believe the promises made regarding defence investment, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Corporal Alana Morin

Federal election brings new crop of defence promises to break

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2025
  • Both governing parties have a proven track record of neglecting Canada's national defence and veterans.

Federal election brings new crop of defence promises to break

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 21, 2025
  • Both governing parties have a proven track record of neglecting Canada's national defence and veterans.
Whichever way you cast your vote in the coming election, do not believe the promises made regarding defence investment, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Corporal Alana Morin

There goes the neighbourhood

  • If our old relationship with the U.S. ‘is over,’ then we can learn from our southernmost neighbour how to be creative in rethinking what
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 14, 2025
Mexican marines perform drills at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in June 2018. The Mexican military is structured almost entirely for internal defence and security, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by OS Justin Spinello

There goes the neighbourhood

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 14, 2025
  • If our old relationship with the U.S. ‘is over,’ then we can learn from our southernmost neighbour how to be creative in rethinking what

There goes the neighbourhood

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 14, 2025
  • If our old relationship with the U.S. ‘is over,’ then we can learn from our southernmost neighbour how to be creative in rethinking what
Mexican marines perform drills at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in June 2018. The Mexican military is structured almost entirely for internal defence and security, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by OS Justin Spinello

This isn’t the ‘Whisky War’: in defence of Greenland and Denmark

  • We cannot sit back as the Trump administration bullies Denmark into submission with false claims of neglected defence.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2025
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance used Pituffik Space Base as a podium to espouse his negative views of the Danish government and Greenland during a March 28 visit to the country. Screenshot courtesy of ABC News

This isn’t the ‘Whisky War’: in defence of Greenland and Denmark

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2025
  • We cannot sit back as the Trump administration bullies Denmark into submission with false claims of neglected defence.

This isn’t the ‘Whisky War’: in defence of Greenland and Denmark

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 7, 2025
  • We cannot sit back as the Trump administration bullies Denmark into submission with false claims of neglected defence.
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance used Pituffik Space Base as a podium to espouse his negative views of the Danish government and Greenland during a March 28 visit to the country. Screenshot courtesy of ABC News

Will the F-35 become a casualty as Trump’s trade war widens?

  • The U.S. president badgering Canada into spending more on American defence technology under threat of economic punishment does not sit well with most patriotic
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2025
Then-Air Force Commander Lt.-Gen. Yvan Blondin gets ready for a flight at Solenzara Air Force Base in Corsica, France, on Dec. 4, 2013. DND photograph by Master Seaman Steeve Picard

Will the F-35 become a casualty as Trump’s trade war widens?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2025
  • The U.S. president badgering Canada into spending more on American defence technology under threat of economic punishment does not sit well with most patriotic

Will the F-35 become a casualty as Trump’s trade war widens?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 31, 2025
  • The U.S. president badgering Canada into spending more on American defence technology under threat of economic punishment does not sit well with most patriotic
Then-Air Force Commander Lt.-Gen. Yvan Blondin gets ready for a flight at Solenzara Air Force Base in Corsica, France, on Dec. 4, 2013. DND photograph by Master Seaman Steeve Picard

Does the military have room to get its elbows up?

  • Sadly for patriotic Canadians, the majority of the military hardware that the government does purchase is from American defence companies.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2025
Royal Canadian Air Force ground crew perform post flight checks on a CF-18 fighter jet in Kuwait on Nov. 3, 2014. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces Combat Camera/DND

Does the military have room to get its elbows up?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2025
  • Sadly for patriotic Canadians, the majority of the military hardware that the government does purchase is from American defence companies.

Does the military have room to get its elbows up?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 24, 2025
  • Sadly for patriotic Canadians, the majority of the military hardware that the government does purchase is from American defence companies.
Royal Canadian Air Force ground crew perform post flight checks on a CF-18 fighter jet in Kuwait on Nov. 3, 2014. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces Combat Camera/DND

Another major procurement project FUBAR

  • Buried in the fine print of the Canadian Surface Combatant announcement was the fact that the total cost to build these three warships is expected
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2025
Bill Blair
Bill Blair
Defence Minister Bill Blair’s March 8 shipbuilding contract announcement was unsurprisingly dropped into a media void, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Another major procurement project FUBAR

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2025
  • Buried in the fine print of the Canadian Surface Combatant announcement was the fact that the total cost to build these three warships is expected

Another major procurement project FUBAR

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 17, 2025
  • Buried in the fine print of the Canadian Surface Combatant announcement was the fact that the total cost to build these three warships is expected
Bill Blair
Defence Minister Bill Blair’s March 8 shipbuilding contract announcement was unsurprisingly dropped into a media void, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trumped again

  • For President Donald Trump to question Canada’s military resolve is an insult to the sacrifices which were made in support of the U.S.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently cast baseless aspersions on NATO's reliability, given its history in the wake of 9/11, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Trumped again

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2025
  • For President Donald Trump to question Canada’s military resolve is an insult to the sacrifices which were made in support of the U.S.

Trumped again

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 10, 2025
  • For President Donald Trump to question Canada’s military resolve is an insult to the sacrifices which were made in support of the U.S.
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently cast baseless aspersions on NATO's reliability, given its history in the wake of 9/11, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Casting a wider recruiting net

  • Why is the CAF trying to fix a problem that does not exist instead of addressing the issue of a lack of trainers in
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2025
Major-General Scott Malcolm was among the officials who announced changes to the CAF recruiting process on Feb. 19. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Casting a wider recruiting net

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2025
  • Why is the CAF trying to fix a problem that does not exist instead of addressing the issue of a lack of trainers in

Casting a wider recruiting net

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 3, 2025
  • Why is the CAF trying to fix a problem that does not exist instead of addressing the issue of a lack of trainers in
Major-General Scott Malcolm was among the officials who announced changes to the CAF recruiting process on Feb. 19. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Trump’s flip-flop on Ukraine

  • The lesson that Canadians need to take from the U.S. president’s complete reversal on Ukraine is that we could easily be next.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2025
Volodomyr Zelenskyy
Volodomyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been excluded from peace talks between the United States and Russia to end the war against his country. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s flip-flop on Ukraine

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2025
  • The lesson that Canadians need to take from the U.S. president’s complete reversal on Ukraine is that we could easily be next.

Trump’s flip-flop on Ukraine

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 24, 2025
  • The lesson that Canadians need to take from the U.S. president’s complete reversal on Ukraine is that we could easily be next.
Volodomyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been excluded from peace talks between the United States and Russia to end the war against his country. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Poilievre’s Arctic follies

  • Canada has the ability to rapidly deploy military personnel to Iqaluit, so what could possibly be gained through having troops stationed there permanently?
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 17, 2025
The Conservatives’ plan for the North includes doubling the size of the Canadian Arctic Rangers, but it will hardly serve as a deterrent to those ‘hostile powers’ they want to thwart, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt Jean-François Lauzé

Poilievre’s Arctic follies

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 17, 2025
  • Canada has the ability to rapidly deploy military personnel to Iqaluit, so what could possibly be gained through having troops stationed there permanently?

Poilievre’s Arctic follies

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 17, 2025
  • Canada has the ability to rapidly deploy military personnel to Iqaluit, so what could possibly be gained through having troops stationed there permanently?
The Conservatives’ plan for the North includes doubling the size of the Canadian Arctic Rangers, but it will hardly serve as a deterrent to those ‘hostile powers’ they want to thwart, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt Jean-François Lauzé

Talking Trump’s truth

  • Canadian leaders have begun finding creative solutions to solve a problem that does not exist.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 10, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's blaming of Canada for the entire drug-overdose tragedy in his country defies all logic, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

Talking Trump’s truth

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 10, 2025
  • Canadian leaders have begun finding creative solutions to solve a problem that does not exist.

Talking Trump’s truth

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 10, 2025
  • Canadian leaders have begun finding creative solutions to solve a problem that does not exist.
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's blaming of Canada for the entire drug-overdose tragedy in his country defies all logic, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

Losing the battle of the bulge

  • Having a worse fitness record than the general population should be an embarrassment to the Canadian Armed Forces.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 3, 2025
According to a series of briefings to military leaders in June 2024, 44 per cent of personnel in the CAF are overweight, and another 28 per cent are classified as obese. DND photograph by Leading Seaman Sisi Xu

Losing the battle of the bulge

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 3, 2025
  • Having a worse fitness record than the general population should be an embarrassment to the Canadian Armed Forces.

Losing the battle of the bulge

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 3, 2025
  • Having a worse fitness record than the general population should be an embarrassment to the Canadian Armed Forces.
According to a series of briefings to military leaders in June 2024, 44 per cent of personnel in the CAF are overweight, and another 28 per cent are classified as obese. DND photograph by Leading Seaman Sisi Xu

Pushing back on Donald Trump

  • Perhaps the most effective way to alleviate the fears Trump is trying to stoke would be to simply provide facts and context to his
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 27, 2025
Donald J. Trump
Donald J. Trump
Due to his position, even U.S. President Trump’s most glib and offhand threats need to be addressed with diplomacy and tact, but they also need to be countered with some hard truths, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

Pushing back on Donald Trump

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 27, 2025
  • Perhaps the most effective way to alleviate the fears Trump is trying to stoke would be to simply provide facts and context to his

Pushing back on Donald Trump

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 27, 2025
  • Perhaps the most effective way to alleviate the fears Trump is trying to stoke would be to simply provide facts and context to his
Donald J. Trump
Due to his position, even U.S. President Trump’s most glib and offhand threats need to be addressed with diplomacy and tact, but they also need to be countered with some hard truths, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

Pride in reserve: the CAF isn’t equipped to fight Mother Nature, but what if it was?

  • Provinces are stepping up to help our U.S. neighbours fight fires, and it would be nice to see our Armed Forces similarly involved.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 20, 2025
Canadian soldiers have been called on to help battle flames, but boosting the ranks of the Air Force with a reserve to fly water bombers would be a boon, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Dan Bard

Pride in reserve: the CAF isn’t equipped to fight Mother Nature, but what if it was?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 20, 2025
  • Provinces are stepping up to help our U.S. neighbours fight fires, and it would be nice to see our Armed Forces similarly involved.

Pride in reserve: the CAF isn’t equipped to fight Mother Nature, but what if it was?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 20, 2025
  • Provinces are stepping up to help our U.S. neighbours fight fires, and it would be nice to see our Armed Forces similarly involved.
Canadian soldiers have been called on to help battle flames, but boosting the ranks of the Air Force with a reserve to fly water bombers would be a boon, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Dan Bard

Military retention bonuses equal common sense

  • DND needs to stop the exodus from the ranks, and the answer to stopping short-term retirements is retention bonuses.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 13, 2025
At present, the CAF does not have retention bonuses, but in recent years they have offered signing bonuses to recruits with specific professional skill sets. DND photograph by MCpl Cass Moon

Military retention bonuses equal common sense

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 13, 2025
  • DND needs to stop the exodus from the ranks, and the answer to stopping short-term retirements is retention bonuses.

Military retention bonuses equal common sense

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 13, 2025
  • DND needs to stop the exodus from the ranks, and the answer to stopping short-term retirements is retention bonuses.
At present, the CAF does not have retention bonuses, but in recent years they have offered signing bonuses to recruits with specific professional skill sets. DND photograph by MCpl Cass Moon

Time for a foreign legion

  • With a Canadian Foreign Legion deployed, the regular combat arms units could begin the healing process of bringing themselves back to full operational readiness
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 6, 2025
Canada’s commitment to a beefed-up mission in Latvia will negatively impact the Army's morale over time without extra support, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Staff Sergeant Christian Milano, Spanish Army

Time for a foreign legion

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 6, 2025
  • With a Canadian Foreign Legion deployed, the regular combat arms units could begin the healing process of bringing themselves back to full operational readiness

Time for a foreign legion

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 6, 2025
  • With a Canadian Foreign Legion deployed, the regular combat arms units could begin the healing process of bringing themselves back to full operational readiness
Canada’s commitment to a beefed-up mission in Latvia will negatively impact the Army's morale over time without extra support, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Staff Sergeant Christian Milano, Spanish Army

A defence budget that tops the two-per-cent goal? Look north

  • Whoever is running Canada in the months to come should be able to convince Donald Trump that an investment in Arctic infrastructure counts towards
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 23, 2024
Canada could and should commit to constructing northern transportation hubs, and labelling all of it an investment in the country’s defence, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet

A defence budget that tops the two-per-cent goal? Look north

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 23, 2024
  • Whoever is running Canada in the months to come should be able to convince Donald Trump that an investment in Arctic infrastructure counts towards

A defence budget that tops the two-per-cent goal? Look north

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 23, 2024
  • Whoever is running Canada in the months to come should be able to convince Donald Trump that an investment in Arctic infrastructure counts towards
Canada could and should commit to constructing northern transportation hubs, and labelling all of it an investment in the country’s defence, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet

Soldiers shouldn’t put up with squalid living conditions

  • Those serving in uniform in a G7 country's military should expect no less than affordable, clean, livable accommodations.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 16, 2024
Serving members of the Armed Forces have been documenting their living conditions in military barracks across the country. Photographs courtesy of Esprit de Corps  Photographs courtesy of Esprit de Corps 

Soldiers shouldn’t put up with squalid living conditions

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 16, 2024
  • Those serving in uniform in a G7 country's military should expect no less than affordable, clean, livable accommodations.

Soldiers shouldn’t put up with squalid living conditions

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 16, 2024
  • Those serving in uniform in a G7 country's military should expect no less than affordable, clean, livable accommodations.
Serving members of the Armed Forces have been documenting their living conditions in military barracks across the country. Photographs courtesy of Esprit de Corps  Photographs courtesy of Esprit de Corps 

Droning into oblivion

  • New drone technology is dominating the modern battlefield, but Canada’s procurement team is barely trying to play catch up.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 9, 2024
A Volatus Aerospace drone is pictured at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on June 1, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Droning into oblivion

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 9, 2024
  • New drone technology is dominating the modern battlefield, but Canada’s procurement team is barely trying to play catch up.

Droning into oblivion

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 9, 2024
  • New drone technology is dominating the modern battlefield, but Canada’s procurement team is barely trying to play catch up.
A Volatus Aerospace drone is pictured at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on June 1, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Can Canada actually defend the Arctic?

  • The Navy’s commander thinks we could stop Russia or China from transiting through the Northwest Passage without official permission
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 2, 2024
At first glance it would seem ludicrous to think we could deter the Russian or Chinese navies with a 7,000 ton Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship which mounts a single 25mm cannon, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal David Veldman

Can Canada actually defend the Arctic?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 2, 2024
  • The Navy’s commander thinks we could stop Russia or China from transiting through the Northwest Passage without official permission

Can Canada actually defend the Arctic?

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 2, 2024
  • The Navy’s commander thinks we could stop Russia or China from transiting through the Northwest Passage without official permission
At first glance it would seem ludicrous to think we could deter the Russian or Chinese navies with a 7,000 ton Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship which mounts a single 25mm cannon, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal David Veldman

Stripped of remembrance

  • OTTAWA—It all began with a newsletter circulated on Nov. 8 to the parents of students attending Sackville Heights Elementary School in Nova Scotia.  The newsletter
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 25, 2024
The misguided attempt by a Nova Scotia school to ban military uniforms on Remembrance Day, or rants about wearing poppies won’t help people understand our proud military heritage, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Stripped of remembrance

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 25, 2024
  • OTTAWA—It all began with a newsletter circulated on Nov. 8 to the parents of students attending Sackville Heights Elementary School in Nova Scotia.  The newsletter

Stripped of remembrance

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 25, 2024
  • OTTAWA—It all began with a newsletter circulated on Nov. 8 to the parents of students attending Sackville Heights Elementary School in Nova Scotia.  The newsletter
The misguided attempt by a Nova Scotia school to ban military uniforms on Remembrance Day, or rants about wearing poppies won’t help people understand our proud military heritage, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Appeasing Donald Trump with defence dollars

  • Many of the hawkish pundits are self-flagellating in anticipation of facing Trump's wrath, but we need to look at the situation from a detached
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 18, 2024
Before investing in modern weapon systems, the CAF needs to invest in its greatest asset: the men and women who serve, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician

Appeasing Donald Trump with defence dollars

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 18, 2024
  • Many of the hawkish pundits are self-flagellating in anticipation of facing Trump's wrath, but we need to look at the situation from a detached

Appeasing Donald Trump with defence dollars

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 18, 2024
  • Many of the hawkish pundits are self-flagellating in anticipation of facing Trump's wrath, but we need to look at the situation from a detached
Before investing in modern weapon systems, the CAF needs to invest in its greatest asset: the men and women who serve, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician

The new look of remembrance 

  • The modern veteran has very few fellow Canadians who fully understand the horrors they have seen. 
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 11, 2024
Remembrance Day ceremony
Remembrance Day ceremony
Sentries stand post during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The new look of remembrance 

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 11, 2024
  • The modern veteran has very few fellow Canadians who fully understand the horrors they have seen. 

The new look of remembrance 

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 11, 2024
  • The modern veteran has very few fellow Canadians who fully understand the horrors they have seen. 
Remembrance Day ceremony
Sentries stand post during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The sad saga of Afghan-Canadian military advisers

  • Veterans’ benefits have improved considerably in recent decades, but not all Canadians sent into war zones are treated equally.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 4, 2024
Interim Ombud for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Robyn Hynes, left, has picked up the advocacy mantle for language and cultural advisers with Minister Bill Blair’s office. Photograph courtesy of DND and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The sad saga of Afghan-Canadian military advisers

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 4, 2024
  • Veterans’ benefits have improved considerably in recent decades, but not all Canadians sent into war zones are treated equally.

The sad saga of Afghan-Canadian military advisers

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 4, 2024
  • Veterans’ benefits have improved considerably in recent decades, but not all Canadians sent into war zones are treated equally.
Interim Ombud for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Robyn Hynes, left, has picked up the advocacy mantle for language and cultural advisers with Minister Bill Blair’s office. Photograph courtesy of DND and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

CAF’s fear of publicity shouldn’t trump justice

  • Kristen Adams’ courage has exposed how the military’s fear of media coverage overrode its sense of responsibility to its employees.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 28, 2024
The military should be less worried about trying to protect its public reputation, and more concerned with the welfare of its people, writes Scott Taylor. Unsplash photograph by Kristina Flour

CAF’s fear of publicity shouldn’t trump justice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 28, 2024
  • Kristen Adams’ courage has exposed how the military’s fear of media coverage overrode its sense of responsibility to its employees.

CAF’s fear of publicity shouldn’t trump justice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 28, 2024
  • Kristen Adams’ courage has exposed how the military’s fear of media coverage overrode its sense of responsibility to its employees.
The military should be less worried about trying to protect its public reputation, and more concerned with the welfare of its people, writes Scott Taylor. Unsplash photograph by Kristina Flour

Poor procurement won’t keep our soldiers warm at night

  • Army personnel are being left out in the cold after new sleeping bags fail to live up to the standards of their 1960s predecessors.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 21, 2024
The military’s General Purpose Sleeping Bag System missed the mark when soldiers tried it out during a November 2023 exercise in Alberta, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos

Poor procurement won’t keep our soldiers warm at night

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 21, 2024
  • Army personnel are being left out in the cold after new sleeping bags fail to live up to the standards of their 1960s predecessors.

Poor procurement won’t keep our soldiers warm at night

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 21, 2024
  • Army personnel are being left out in the cold after new sleeping bags fail to live up to the standards of their 1960s predecessors.
The military’s General Purpose Sleeping Bag System missed the mark when soldiers tried it out during a November 2023 exercise in Alberta, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos

No matter how you slice it, the military’s numbers don’t add up

  • Without an immediate course change, the Canadian Armed Forces is hurtling towards an existential, tragic end.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 14, 2024
Gen. Jennie Carignan
Gen. Jennie Carignan
Chief of Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan. No matter which way you count it, the CAF’s numbers do not add up to an effective fighting force, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

No matter how you slice it, the military’s numbers don’t add up

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 14, 2024
  • Without an immediate course change, the Canadian Armed Forces is hurtling towards an existential, tragic end.

No matter how you slice it, the military’s numbers don’t add up

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 14, 2024
  • Without an immediate course change, the Canadian Armed Forces is hurtling towards an existential, tragic end.
Gen. Jennie Carignan
Chief of Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan. No matter which way you count it, the CAF’s numbers do not add up to an effective fighting force, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Submarine saga could turn into ‘sellers beware’

  • One would have to caution those potential bidders that in dealing with the Canadian government it will be a case of ‘sellers beware’ rather
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 7, 2024
HMCS Victoria returns home through the Strait of Juan De Fuca from operations with the United States Navy on Feb. 26, 2015. DND photograph by LS Zachariah Stopa

Submarine saga could turn into ‘sellers beware’

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 7, 2024
  • One would have to caution those potential bidders that in dealing with the Canadian government it will be a case of ‘sellers beware’ rather

Submarine saga could turn into ‘sellers beware’

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 7, 2024
  • One would have to caution those potential bidders that in dealing with the Canadian government it will be a case of ‘sellers beware’ rather
HMCS Victoria returns home through the Strait of Juan De Fuca from operations with the United States Navy on Feb. 26, 2015. DND photograph by LS Zachariah Stopa

The Three Stooges of Canadian defence

  • The federal government, military brass, and the defence industry are all pointing in different directions when asked for the path forward on our Armed
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 30, 2024
Since the end of the Cold War, Canadian politicians and senior military brass have abandoned any pretence of planning for an actual mobilization of citizens. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe

The Three Stooges of Canadian defence

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 30, 2024
  • The federal government, military brass, and the defence industry are all pointing in different directions when asked for the path forward on our Armed

The Three Stooges of Canadian defence

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 30, 2024
  • The federal government, military brass, and the defence industry are all pointing in different directions when asked for the path forward on our Armed
Since the end of the Cold War, Canadian politicians and senior military brass have abandoned any pretence of planning for an actual mobilization of citizens. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe

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