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Sunday, November 24, 2024
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Sunday, November 24, 2024 | Latest Paper

Inside Defence

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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 18, 2024
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 11, 2024
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 11, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 11, 2024
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 4, 2024
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 28, 2024
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 21, 2024
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 14, 2024
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 14, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 14, 2024
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 7, 2024
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 30, 2024
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 23, 2024
Canada now possesses an abundance of helicopter heavy-lift capability, which would be perfectly suited to waging a counterinsurgency against a poorly equipped foe, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 23, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 23, 2024
Canada now possesses an abundance of helicopter heavy-lift capability, which would be perfectly suited to waging a counterinsurgency against a poorly equipped foe, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 16, 2024
The September 2023 standing ovation MPs gave Second World War veteran Yaroslav Hunka is still fresh in Canadians’ minds, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 16, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 16, 2024
The September 2023 standing ovation MPs gave Second World War veteran Yaroslav Hunka is still fresh in Canadians’ minds, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 9, 2024
The breakdown of the Liberal-NDP deal means people will be buzzing about which of the party election platforms will be the least damaging to a future Canadian Armed Forces, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Cass Moon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 9, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 9, 2024
The breakdown of the Liberal-NDP deal means people will be buzzing about which of the party election platforms will be the least damaging to a future Canadian Armed Forces, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Cass Moon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 2, 2024
On the modern battlefield, the M777 howitzer Canada has given to the Ukrainian war effort is the wrong weapon system, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 2, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 2, 2024
On the modern battlefield, the M777 howitzer Canada has given to the Ukrainian war effort is the wrong weapon system, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 26, 2024
The only reason our battle groups had the gear and munitions they needed in Afghanistan was because out of necessity, we begged and borrowed from our allies, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Robert Bottrill
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 26, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 26, 2024
The only reason our battle groups had the gear and munitions they needed in Afghanistan was because out of necessity, we begged and borrowed from our allies, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Robert Bottrill
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2024
Canadian soldiers return to their light armoured vehicles during Operation Medusa in 2006. We pursued the war in Afghanistan to the tune of 158 Canadian soldiers killed, 2,000 wounded or physically injured, and countless thousands more suffering the unseen mental wounds of PTSD, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the CAF/Sgt. Lou Penney
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2024
Canadian soldiers return to their light armoured vehicles during Operation Medusa in 2006. We pursued the war in Afghanistan to the tune of 158 Canadian soldiers killed, 2,000 wounded or physically injured, and countless thousands more suffering the unseen mental wounds of PTSD, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the CAF/Sgt. Lou Penney
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 12, 2024
National Defence Minister Bill Blair announced the government's $35.8-million purchase of 90 light tactical vehicles for the Canadian Armed Forces on July 23. Pentagon tests would indicate that this is a useless purchase, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 12, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 12, 2024
National Defence Minister Bill Blair announced the government's $35.8-million purchase of 90 light tactical vehicles for the Canadian Armed Forces on July 23. Pentagon tests would indicate that this is a useless purchase, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 5, 2024
Canadian Armed Forces members on the ground helping to respond to the wildfire that engulfed Jasper, Alta., last month. Screenshot courtesy of CTV News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 5, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 5, 2024
Canadian Armed Forces members on the ground helping to respond to the wildfire that engulfed Jasper, Alta., last month. Screenshot courtesy of CTV News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 29, 2024
HMCS Max Bernays sails in the Pacific Ocean on June 20. DND photograph by Corporal William Gosse
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 29, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 29, 2024
HMCS Max Bernays sails in the Pacific Ocean on June 20. DND photograph by Corporal William Gosse
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 22, 2024
Bill Blair
There is little to no chance Defence Minister Bill Blair and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will still be steering the government’s defence spending agenda eight years from now, so recent promises aren’t worth much, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 22, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 22, 2024
Bill Blair
There is little to no chance Defence Minister Bill Blair and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will still be steering the government’s defence spending agenda eight years from now, so recent promises aren’t worth much, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 15, 2024
U.S. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, left, posted a photo of his July 9 meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on X, saying that 'it’s time for our northern ally to invest seriously in the hard power required to help preserve prosperity and security across NATO.' Photograph courtesy of X/@LeaderMcConnell
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 15, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 15, 2024
U.S. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, left, posted a photo of his July 9 meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on X, saying that 'it’s time for our northern ally to invest seriously in the hard power required to help preserve prosperity and security across NATO.' Photograph courtesy of X/@LeaderMcConnell
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 8, 2024
Besides restoring morale and addressing the crippling shortage of personnel, incoming Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan will need to deal with the political vacuum in which Canada currently finds itself. DND photograph by Private Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 8, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 8, 2024
Besides restoring morale and addressing the crippling shortage of personnel, incoming Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan will need to deal with the political vacuum in which Canada currently finds itself. DND photograph by Private Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 1, 2024
Outgoing Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre’s refusal to release his ‘openness and transparency’ speaking notes is both petty and petulant, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 1, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 1, 2024
Outgoing Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre’s refusal to release his ‘openness and transparency’ speaking notes is both petty and petulant, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 24, 2024
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was in Ottawa on June 19 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the military alliance, but Scott Taylor asks if its history is worth celebrating. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 24, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 24, 2024
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was in Ottawa on June 19 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the military alliance, but Scott Taylor asks if its history is worth celebrating. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 17, 2024
Former U.S. ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft recently added her voice to the chorus calling for Canada to hit the two per cent NATO target. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 17, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 17, 2024
Former U.S. ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft recently added her voice to the chorus calling for Canada to hit the two per cent NATO target. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 10, 2024
The fact that service members now need a regulation telling them they cannot have so much hair that they cannot don a hat speaks volumes for how low officials lowered the bar, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 10, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 10, 2024
The fact that service members now need a regulation telling them they cannot have so much hair that they cannot don a hat speaks volumes for how low officials lowered the bar, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 3, 2024
Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann’s frank assessment of the state of CAF leadership seems to have fallen on deaf ears, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Valerie LeClair
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 3, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 3, 2024
Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann’s frank assessment of the state of CAF leadership seems to have fallen on deaf ears, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Valerie LeClair
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 27, 2024
RCAF members evacuate residents of the Pikangikum First Nation community in July 2019. Willing veterans could backfill the disaster-relief assistance role currently filled by Operation Lentus, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl Ken Beliwicz
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 27, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 27, 2024
RCAF members evacuate residents of the Pikangikum First Nation community in July 2019. Willing veterans could backfill the disaster-relief assistance role currently filled by Operation Lentus, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl Ken Beliwicz
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 20, 2024
Given the thousands of applicants, it would seem that dress and deportment was not the problem, but rather the recruiting and training branches that simply could not process the influx, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces 
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 20, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 20, 2024
Given the thousands of applicants, it would seem that dress and deportment was not the problem, but rather the recruiting and training branches that simply could not process the influx, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces 
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 4, 2022
The Canadian government has soundly denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression, but where was the collective outrage over then-U.S. president Donald Trump announcing he had used a mother-of-all-bombs against Afghans in 2017, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 4, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 4, 2022
The Canadian government has soundly denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression, but where was the collective outrage over then-U.S. president Donald Trump announcing he had used a mother-of-all-bombs against Afghans in 2017, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 28, 2022
Members of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron watch as a CH-146 Griffon helicopter lands in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, on March 12. With Ukraine battling the Russian military, suddenly it seems that every retired general, defence pundit, and politician is convinced that we need to commit to significant increases in the annual defence budget, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Angela Gore
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 28, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 28, 2022
Members of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron watch as a CH-146 Griffon helicopter lands in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, on March 12. With Ukraine battling the Russian military, suddenly it seems that every retired general, defence pundit, and politician is convinced that we need to commit to significant increases in the annual defence budget, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Angela Gore
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 22, 2022
Women participate in a 2012 event commemorating the Latvian Legion. The annual event returned on March 16 in Riga, Latvia, after two years of being cancelled due to pandemic health restrictions. One would have thought that common sense would have shut them down for good, writes Scott Taylor. Flickr photograph by Pablo Andrés Rivero
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 22, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 22, 2022
Women participate in a 2012 event commemorating the Latvian Legion. The annual event returned on March 16 in Riga, Latvia, after two years of being cancelled due to pandemic health restrictions. One would have thought that common sense would have shut them down for good, writes Scott Taylor. Flickr photograph by Pablo Andrés Rivero
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 14, 2022
Ottawa residents participate in a rally in support of Ukraine outside of City Hall on Feb. 27. Even though Canada is not directly involved in this conflict, the term used to describe Ukraine is ‘ally,’ and the Ukrainian side can simply do no wrong in the eyes of western media, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 14, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 14, 2022
Ottawa residents participate in a rally in support of Ukraine outside of City Hall on Feb. 27. Even though Canada is not directly involved in this conflict, the term used to describe Ukraine is ‘ally,’ and the Ukrainian side can simply do no wrong in the eyes of western media, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 7, 2022
Early in the conflict, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called upon international volunteers to travel to Ukraine to fight the Russian invaders as part of a newly formed Foreign Legion. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/CNBC Television
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 7, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 7, 2022
Early in the conflict, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called upon international volunteers to travel to Ukraine to fight the Russian invaders as part of a newly formed Foreign Legion. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/CNBC Television
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 28, 2022
Now known by Freedom Convoy zealots as the ‘spark that lit the flame,’ Tamara Lich is an energy industry worker who is neither a medical expert nor does she have a vested interest in the trucking industry. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 28, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 28, 2022
Now known by Freedom Convoy zealots as the ‘spark that lit the flame,’ Tamara Lich is an energy industry worker who is neither a medical expert nor does she have a vested interest in the trucking industry. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 21, 2022
The National War Memorial in Ottawa is pictured on Feb. 16. One has to question why individuals would seek to make this a military issue by sporting their old uniforms and declaring themselves to be veterans on either side of this cause, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 21, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 21, 2022
The National War Memorial in Ottawa is pictured on Feb. 16. One has to question why individuals would seek to make this a military issue by sporting their old uniforms and declaring themselves to be veterans on either side of this cause, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 14, 2022
A number of bouncy castles popped along Wellington Street on Feb. 5 as the Freedom Convoy’s occupation of downtown Ottawa entered its second week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 14, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 14, 2022
A number of bouncy castles popped along Wellington Street on Feb. 5 as the Freedom Convoy’s occupation of downtown Ottawa entered its second week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 7, 2022
A group of Groypers, white nationalist conservative provocateurs, taunt a counter protest gathered at Ottawa City Hall on Feb. 5, as the ‘Freedom Convoy’ occupation of downtown Ottawa enters the second week. The problem for the convoy organizers and participants is not that some fringe loonies attempted to hijack the media attention generated by this mass gathering of big-rig trucks—it’s that they failed to stop them, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 7, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 7, 2022
A group of Groypers, white nationalist conservative provocateurs, taunt a counter protest gathered at Ottawa City Hall on Feb. 5, as the ‘Freedom Convoy’ occupation of downtown Ottawa enters the second week. The problem for the convoy organizers and participants is not that some fringe loonies attempted to hijack the media attention generated by this mass gathering of big-rig trucks—it’s that they failed to stop them, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 31, 2022
We should all keep in mind that Russia has produced some of the world’s best chess players and their military generalship is historically renowned for its strategic deception operations, or maskirovka as the Russians call it, writes Scott Taylor. Illustration by DonkeyHotey
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 31, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 31, 2022
We should all keep in mind that Russia has produced some of the world’s best chess players and their military generalship is historically renowned for its strategic deception operations, or maskirovka as the Russians call it, writes Scott Taylor. Illustration by DonkeyHotey