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Saturday, April 19, 2025

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Scott Taylor

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

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

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
More Stories

Recent strikes on Saudi oil production are a global concern

  • OTTAWA—On Sept. 14, there were a series of missile and drone attacks that struck Saudi Arabian oil processing facilities near the city of Abqaiq.
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2019
In the wake of the latest strike on Saudi oil production, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, pictured at a press conference in Ottawa with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland in August, has reaffirmed the position that America is firmly backing Saudi Arabia and that all possible means of military retaliation against Iran are on the table. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Recent strikes on Saudi oil production are a global concern

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Sept. 14, there were a series of missile and drone attacks that struck Saudi Arabian oil processing facilities near the city of Abqaiq.

Recent strikes on Saudi oil production are a global concern

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Sept. 14, there were a series of missile and drone attacks that struck Saudi Arabian oil processing facilities near the city of Abqaiq.
In the wake of the latest strike on Saudi oil production, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, pictured at a press conference in Ottawa with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland in August, has reaffirmed the position that America is firmly backing Saudi Arabia and that all possible means of military retaliation against Iran are on the table. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s cancellation of Taliban peace talks means indefinite continuation of unwinnable war

  • OTTAWA—In the days leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, U.S. President Donald Trump sent out a bizarre tweet claiming that he had just
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2019
Trump will spin this whole cancellation and claim that this incident only proves he is still a master negotiator who was not intimidated by the Taliban’s continued campaign of terror, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Trump’s cancellation of Taliban peace talks means indefinite continuation of unwinnable war

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In the days leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, U.S. President Donald Trump sent out a bizarre tweet claiming that he had just

Trump’s cancellation of Taliban peace talks means indefinite continuation of unwinnable war

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In the days leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, U.S. President Donald Trump sent out a bizarre tweet claiming that he had just
Trump will spin this whole cancellation and claim that this incident only proves he is still a master negotiator who was not intimidated by the Taliban’s continued campaign of terror, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Canadian soldiers shouldn’t be props in controversial commemoration

  • OTTAWA—There was a bizarre little story last week out of Ukraine, which was picked up by Radio-Canada International. It centred on Canada’s official participation
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2019
Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk and at least three uniformed Canadian military personnel took part in the formal ceremony dedicating a new monument in honour of 17 members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) who were allegedly executed by the German Gestapo in 1944 on Aug. 21. Photograph courtesy of Roman Waschuk’s Twitter

Canadian soldiers shouldn’t be props in controversial commemoration

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There was a bizarre little story last week out of Ukraine, which was picked up by Radio-Canada International. It centred on Canada’s official participation

Canadian soldiers shouldn’t be props in controversial commemoration

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There was a bizarre little story last week out of Ukraine, which was picked up by Radio-Canada International. It centred on Canada’s official participation
Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk and at least three uniformed Canadian military personnel took part in the formal ceremony dedicating a new monument in honour of 17 members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) who were allegedly executed by the German Gestapo in 1944 on Aug. 21. Photograph courtesy of Roman Waschuk’s Twitter

Military was too slow to act after finding hate group recruiter in its ranks

  • OTTAWA—The saga of Master Cpl. Patrik Mathews continues to be a puzzler, with a plethora of unanswered questions. What we do know for sure
News | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2019
Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, pictured speaking to reporters in West Block on June 17, 2019, has said reservist Patrik Mathews was under investigation by the military’s counter-intelligence unit. So why, asks Scott Taylor, did his local brigade commander say they were unaware of his extra-curricular activities until a newspaper reporter went undercover and reported them? The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Military was too slow to act after finding hate group recruiter in its ranks

News | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—The saga of Master Cpl. Patrik Mathews continues to be a puzzler, with a plethora of unanswered questions. What we do know for sure

Military was too slow to act after finding hate group recruiter in its ranks

News | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—The saga of Master Cpl. Patrik Mathews continues to be a puzzler, with a plethora of unanswered questions. What we do know for sure
Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, pictured speaking to reporters in West Block on June 17, 2019, has said reservist Patrik Mathews was under investigation by the military’s counter-intelligence unit. So why, asks Scott Taylor, did his local brigade commander say they were unaware of his extra-curricular activities until a newspaper reporter went undercover and reported them? The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadian military needs to do more to quash sexual misconduct among its ranks

  • OTTAWA—On Aug. 13, the Canadian Armed Forces tabled a report which reflected some progress is being made towards reducing rampant sexual misconduct in the
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2019
Dutch and Canadian air crew watch a training exercise off the flight deck of the Dutch ship Evertsen in the Adriatic Sea during Operation Reassurance, on May 20, 2019. Based on the latest report, it remains crystal clear that the Canadian military has a huge problem with sexual misconduct, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. Daan Meijerman

Canadian military needs to do more to quash sexual misconduct among its ranks

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Aug. 13, the Canadian Armed Forces tabled a report which reflected some progress is being made towards reducing rampant sexual misconduct in the

Canadian military needs to do more to quash sexual misconduct among its ranks

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Aug. 13, the Canadian Armed Forces tabled a report which reflected some progress is being made towards reducing rampant sexual misconduct in the
Dutch and Canadian air crew watch a training exercise off the flight deck of the Dutch ship Evertsen in the Adriatic Sea during Operation Reassurance, on May 20, 2019. Based on the latest report, it remains crystal clear that the Canadian military has a huge problem with sexual misconduct, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. Daan Meijerman

Banning tattooed soldiers only scratches the surface of potential problem recruits

  • OTTAWA—What started out as an almost comical, albeit embarrassing, incident in Halifax has led the Canadian Armed Forces to once again amend their policy
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2019
On Aug. 12, Gen. Jonathan Vance issued new guidelines warning against tattoos on military members of anything considered to be sexually explicit, discriminatory, racist, extremist, homophobic, misogynistic, sexist, or evidence of membership in a criminal organization. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

Banning tattooed soldiers only scratches the surface of potential problem recruits

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2019
  • OTTAWA—What started out as an almost comical, albeit embarrassing, incident in Halifax has led the Canadian Armed Forces to once again amend their policy

Banning tattooed soldiers only scratches the surface of potential problem recruits

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2019
  • OTTAWA—What started out as an almost comical, albeit embarrassing, incident in Halifax has led the Canadian Armed Forces to once again amend their policy
On Aug. 12, Gen. Jonathan Vance issued new guidelines warning against tattoos on military members of anything considered to be sexually explicit, discriminatory, racist, extremist, homophobic, misogynistic, sexist, or evidence of membership in a criminal organization. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

Liberal lip service to peacekeeping didn’t live up to election pledge

  • OTTAWA—Aug. 9 was National Peacekeepers’ Day, and in honour of this momentous occasion Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted out the following message: “Canadian Peacekeepers
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2019
Members of the Mali Task Force are pictured during the Operation Presence medals parade at Camp Castor on June 8, 2019. Despite a Liberal promise to have Canada play a significant role in UN peacekeeping efforts, not extending the Mali mission comes in stark contrast to the rapidity with which Canada has been extending all of our current non-UN foreign military deployments, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. François Charest

Liberal lip service to peacekeeping didn’t live up to election pledge

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Aug. 9 was National Peacekeepers’ Day, and in honour of this momentous occasion Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted out the following message: “Canadian Peacekeepers

Liberal lip service to peacekeeping didn’t live up to election pledge

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Aug. 9 was National Peacekeepers’ Day, and in honour of this momentous occasion Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted out the following message: “Canadian Peacekeepers
Members of the Mali Task Force are pictured during the Operation Presence medals parade at Camp Castor on June 8, 2019. Despite a Liberal promise to have Canada play a significant role in UN peacekeeping efforts, not extending the Mali mission comes in stark contrast to the rapidity with which Canada has been extending all of our current non-UN foreign military deployments, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph courtesy of Cpl. François Charest

Damage control: China pulls out all the stops in an effort to denounce international claims of human rights abuse

  • XINJIANG, CHINA—In early July, a group of 22 countries, including Canada, Japan, the U.K., France, and Australia, signed a letter to the United Nations
FeatureBY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
Traditional dance routines are taught to the Uighur students of vocational schools—alleged to be re-education detention camps by the West—in Xinjiang, China, complete with elaborate costumes and a fog machine. A week-long media tour featured numerous cultural displays to counter international claims Uighur culture is being suppressed. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor

Damage control: China pulls out all the stops in an effort to denounce international claims of human rights abuse

FeatureBY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
  • XINJIANG, CHINA—In early July, a group of 22 countries, including Canada, Japan, the U.K., France, and Australia, signed a letter to the United Nations

Damage control: China pulls out all the stops in an effort to denounce international claims of human rights abuse

FeatureBY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
  • XINJIANG, CHINA—In early July, a group of 22 countries, including Canada, Japan, the U.K., France, and Australia, signed a letter to the United Nations
Traditional dance routines are taught to the Uighur students of vocational schools—alleged to be re-education detention camps by the West—in Xinjiang, China, complete with elaborate costumes and a fog machine. A week-long media tour featured numerous cultural displays to counter international claims Uighur culture is being suppressed. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor

Cenotaph rededication a reminder of an unjustified sacrifice

  • OTTAWA—On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Department of National Defence will host a dedication ceremony for what has come to be known as the Kandahar
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. It will be rededicated that the DND headquarters on Aug. 17. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Cenotaph rededication a reminder of an unjustified sacrifice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Department of National Defence will host a dedication ceremony for what has come to be known as the Kandahar

Cenotaph rededication a reminder of an unjustified sacrifice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Department of National Defence will host a dedication ceremony for what has come to be known as the Kandahar
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. It will be rededicated that the DND headquarters on Aug. 17. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Open mouth, insert sock: foreign actors have no need for trumped-up Trump framing

  • OTTAWA—For years now we have been told by various Western intelligence agencies that Russia is using social media platforms to interfere in foreign elections
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 31, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured at the White House on July 22, 2019, bids farewell to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Trump blew up a storm of controversy during an Oval Office meeting with Mr. Khan after he told reporters that he could win the war in Afghanistan within a week by simply blowing it ‘off the face of the earth.’ White House photograph courtesy of Shealah Craighead

Open mouth, insert sock: foreign actors have no need for trumped-up Trump framing

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 31, 2019
  • OTTAWA—For years now we have been told by various Western intelligence agencies that Russia is using social media platforms to interfere in foreign elections

Open mouth, insert sock: foreign actors have no need for trumped-up Trump framing

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 31, 2019
  • OTTAWA—For years now we have been told by various Western intelligence agencies that Russia is using social media platforms to interfere in foreign elections
U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured at the White House on July 22, 2019, bids farewell to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Trump blew up a storm of controversy during an Oval Office meeting with Mr. Khan after he told reporters that he could win the war in Afghanistan within a week by simply blowing it ‘off the face of the earth.’ White House photograph courtesy of Shealah Craighead

There are no easy labels in the Omar Khadr saga

  • OTTAWA—There is continued debate about how and why the widow of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan could lay claim to the $10.5-million payout,
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2019
Omar Khadr was 15 when he went to Guantano Bay, and eight years later plead guilty to murder in violation of the law of war, which he later recanted. Scott Taylor writes that he has always been perplexed that the U.S. authorities could consider a soldier killed in battle to have been murdered. Screenshot courtesy of CBC’s The National

There are no easy labels in the Omar Khadr saga

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There is continued debate about how and why the widow of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan could lay claim to the $10.5-million payout,

There are no easy labels in the Omar Khadr saga

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There is continued debate about how and why the widow of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan could lay claim to the $10.5-million payout,
Omar Khadr was 15 when he went to Guantano Bay, and eight years later plead guilty to murder in violation of the law of war, which he later recanted. Scott Taylor writes that he has always been perplexed that the U.S. authorities could consider a soldier killed in battle to have been murdered. Screenshot courtesy of CBC’s The National

Honouring our fallen is a noble exercise—but so is questioning the fight

  • OTTAWA—Back in mid-May, the Department of National Defence blew up a media storm of controversy when they held a private dedication ceremony for what
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2019
Lt.-Col. Mark Chinner lays a wreath during a 2016 Remembrance Day ceremony at the Afghanistan Memorial at 12 Wing Shearwater, N.S. Controversy over the location and dedication of the repatriated Kandahar cenotaph in Ottawa has raised other questions about how the government honours fallen soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by LS Brad Upshall

Honouring our fallen is a noble exercise—but so is questioning the fight

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Back in mid-May, the Department of National Defence blew up a media storm of controversy when they held a private dedication ceremony for what

Honouring our fallen is a noble exercise—but so is questioning the fight

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Back in mid-May, the Department of National Defence blew up a media storm of controversy when they held a private dedication ceremony for what
Lt.-Col. Mark Chinner lays a wreath during a 2016 Remembrance Day ceremony at the Afghanistan Memorial at 12 Wing Shearwater, N.S. Controversy over the location and dedication of the repatriated Kandahar cenotaph in Ottawa has raised other questions about how the government honours fallen soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by LS Brad Upshall

Military second-in-command shouldn’t be praised for making a beneficial personal choice

  • OTTAWA—On July 1, Postmedia broke the story that Canada’s Vice Chief of the Defence Staff has been collecting benefits, known as an imposed restriction
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2019
National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Lt.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk, vice chief of the defence staff, attend the Ukrainian community’s Canadian Armed Forces appreciation evening in February. The official statement from DND about Wynnyk’s benefits makes it sound like he was volunteering his time to serve Canada out of the goodness of his heart, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Military second-in-command shouldn’t be praised for making a beneficial personal choice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On July 1, Postmedia broke the story that Canada’s Vice Chief of the Defence Staff has been collecting benefits, known as an imposed restriction

Military second-in-command shouldn’t be praised for making a beneficial personal choice

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On July 1, Postmedia broke the story that Canada’s Vice Chief of the Defence Staff has been collecting benefits, known as an imposed restriction
National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Lt.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk, vice chief of the defence staff, attend the Ukrainian community’s Canadian Armed Forces appreciation evening in February. The official statement from DND about Wynnyk’s benefits makes it sound like he was volunteering his time to serve Canada out of the goodness of his heart, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Here’s hoping for success in Iraq—whatever that is

  • OTTAWA—On Wednesday, June 26, the government of Canada announced that we are extending the current mission in Iraq by a full 12 months, to
FeatureBY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2019
Brigadier-General Jennie Carignan, pictured in April visiting the flooded areas in Gatineau, Que., will assume the rank of major-general and command of the Canada-led NATO Mission Iraq in the fall. DND photograph by Pte. Hugo Montpetit

Here’s hoping for success in Iraq—whatever that is

FeatureBY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Wednesday, June 26, the government of Canada announced that we are extending the current mission in Iraq by a full 12 months, to

Here’s hoping for success in Iraq—whatever that is

FeatureBY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Wednesday, June 26, the government of Canada announced that we are extending the current mission in Iraq by a full 12 months, to
Brigadier-General Jennie Carignan, pictured in April visiting the flooded areas in Gatineau, Que., will assume the rank of major-general and command of the Canada-led NATO Mission Iraq in the fall. DND photograph by Pte. Hugo Montpetit

Navy SEAL court martial may be a futile exercise, thanks to executive intervention

  • OTTAWA—In the summer of 2017, Canadian Special Forces operatives were deployed to northern Iraq to act as advisors to Kurdish militia who were battling
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump has already intervened once in the case of a Navy SEAL on trial for several serious charges, including murder, for alleged actions in Iraq. Flickr photograph by Gage Skidmore

Navy SEAL court martial may be a futile exercise, thanks to executive intervention

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In the summer of 2017, Canadian Special Forces operatives were deployed to northern Iraq to act as advisors to Kurdish militia who were battling

Navy SEAL court martial may be a futile exercise, thanks to executive intervention

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In the summer of 2017, Canadian Special Forces operatives were deployed to northern Iraq to act as advisors to Kurdish militia who were battling
U.S. President Donald Trump has already intervened once in the case of a Navy SEAL on trial for several serious charges, including murder, for alleged actions in Iraq. Flickr photograph by Gage Skidmore

It’s time to dangle more than financial carrots to keep our fighter pilots

  • OTTAWA—On June 10, Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, sent out a message to all personnel outlining several new
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
A CF-188 Hornet pilot prepares for take off from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania during Operation REASSURANCE in November 2018. When in Canada, fighter pilots are based in northern Alberta and Quebec, but maybe it’s time to allow them to be stationed in more-urban centres, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Dominic Duchesne-Beaulieu

It’s time to dangle more than financial carrots to keep our fighter pilots

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On June 10, Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, sent out a message to all personnel outlining several new

It’s time to dangle more than financial carrots to keep our fighter pilots

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On June 10, Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, sent out a message to all personnel outlining several new
A CF-188 Hornet pilot prepares for take off from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania during Operation REASSURANCE in November 2018. When in Canada, fighter pilots are based in northern Alberta and Quebec, but maybe it’s time to allow them to be stationed in more-urban centres, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Dominic Duchesne-Beaulieu

If Trump wants Americans out of Cuba, start by closing Gitmo

  • OTTAWA—On June 4, the Trump administration made the surprise announcement that it was imposing a new set of travel restrictions on Americans wishing to
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the new travel restrictions to Cuba are the result of the island nation ‘propping up’ American adversaries in Venezuela and Nicaragua. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks

If Trump wants Americans out of Cuba, start by closing Gitmo

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On June 4, the Trump administration made the surprise announcement that it was imposing a new set of travel restrictions on Americans wishing to

If Trump wants Americans out of Cuba, start by closing Gitmo

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On June 4, the Trump administration made the surprise announcement that it was imposing a new set of travel restrictions on Americans wishing to
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the new travel restrictions to Cuba are the result of the island nation ‘propping up’ American adversaries in Venezuela and Nicaragua. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks

Feds, Irving need to clean up their act and find a better PR move than threatening reporters

  • OTTAWA—Last week the Globe and Mail broke the story about Irving Shipbuilding being allowed to claim a $40-million industrial benefit for a french fry
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
The departments headed by National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Public Services and Procurement Minister Carla Qualtrough, and Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains need a better response to the practice of turning over reporters’ information to private companies, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds, Irving need to clean up their act and find a better PR move than threatening reporters

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Last week the Globe and Mail broke the story about Irving Shipbuilding being allowed to claim a $40-million industrial benefit for a french fry

Feds, Irving need to clean up their act and find a better PR move than threatening reporters

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Last week the Globe and Mail broke the story about Irving Shipbuilding being allowed to claim a $40-million industrial benefit for a french fry
The departments headed by National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Public Services and Procurement Minister Carla Qualtrough, and Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains need a better response to the practice of turning over reporters’ information to private companies, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Move Kandahar monument to Beechwood National Memorial Centre to save face

  • OTTAWA—On Monday, May 13, a low-key, invitation-only, VIP ceremony took place at the Department of National Defence’s new Carling Campus. This was held to
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. After its relocation to DND's publicly inaccessible headquarters received backlash, Chief of Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, vowed to 'turn this around.' Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Move Kandahar monument to Beechwood National Memorial Centre to save face

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Monday, May 13, a low-key, invitation-only, VIP ceremony took place at the Department of National Defence’s new Carling Campus. This was held to

Move Kandahar monument to Beechwood National Memorial Centre to save face

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Monday, May 13, a low-key, invitation-only, VIP ceremony took place at the Department of National Defence’s new Carling Campus. This was held to
The Kandahar monument, pictured in its original home, bears 190 plaques commemorating Canadians killed in the Afghanistan theatre, including 158 soldiers and others, like Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang. After its relocation to DND's publicly inaccessible headquarters received backlash, Chief of Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, vowed to 'turn this around.' Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Amid U.S.-Iran brinksmanship, Canadian troops ought to leave Iraq

  • gOTTAWA—Almost unmentioned in Canadian mainstream media is the steadily escalating tension between the United States and Iran. In recent days, the Pentagon has deployed
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 22, 2019
A Canadian door-gunner surveys the ground below during a CH-146 Griffon helicopter flight near Erbil, Iraq on March 2, 2017 as part of Canada’s mission in the country. Photograph courtesy of U.S. Combat Camera

Amid U.S.-Iran brinksmanship, Canadian troops ought to leave Iraq

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 22, 2019
  • gOTTAWA—Almost unmentioned in Canadian mainstream media is the steadily escalating tension between the United States and Iran. In recent days, the Pentagon has deployed

Amid U.S.-Iran brinksmanship, Canadian troops ought to leave Iraq

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 22, 2019
  • gOTTAWA—Almost unmentioned in Canadian mainstream media is the steadily escalating tension between the United States and Iran. In recent days, the Pentagon has deployed
A Canadian door-gunner surveys the ground below during a CH-146 Griffon helicopter flight near Erbil, Iraq on March 2, 2017 as part of Canada’s mission in the country. Photograph courtesy of U.S. Combat Camera

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