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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 | January 24, 2022
Ambassador Hassan Soroosh plans to keep the Afghan Embassy in Ottawa functioning as long as possible, but the Ghani government is gone and these Afghan diplomats have absolutely no status with the now-ruling Taliban regime, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 24, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 24, 2022
Ambassador Hassan Soroosh plans to keep the Afghan Embassy in Ottawa functioning as long as possible, but the Ghani government is gone and these Afghan diplomats have absolutely no status with the now-ruling Taliban regime, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 17, 2022
Canada should be doing more to speak out against annual events held on Jan. 1 to celebrate the birth of Ukrainian ultra-nationalist Stepan Bandera, and other Nazi collaborators, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 17, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 17, 2022
Canada should be doing more to speak out against annual events held on Jan. 1 to celebrate the birth of Ukrainian ultra-nationalist Stepan Bandera, and other Nazi collaborators, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 10, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin can make threats of unleashing nuclear Armageddon should he feel further threatened, but he does not have the military means to defy NATO, even in his own neighbourhood writes Scott Taylor. Flickr image by DonkeyHotey
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 10, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 10, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin can make threats of unleashing nuclear Armageddon should he feel further threatened, but he does not have the military means to defy NATO, even in his own neighbourhood writes Scott Taylor. Flickr image by DonkeyHotey
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 4, 2022
The Canadian Armed Forces are starting out 2022 with a newly minted minister of national defence, Anita Anand, and moving forward, future Canadian defence policies and procurements need to be based upon a wider range of threats than simply military threats, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 4, 2022
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 4, 2022
The Canadian Armed Forces are starting out 2022 with a newly minted minister of national defence, Anita Anand, and moving forward, future Canadian defence policies and procurements need to be based upon a wider range of threats than simply military threats, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 21, 2021
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, and NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg met Dec. 16, reaffirming Ukraine’s invitation to join the organization. Flickr photograph courtesy of NATO
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 21, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 21, 2021
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, and NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg met Dec. 16, reaffirming Ukraine’s invitation to join the organization. Flickr photograph courtesy of NATO
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 13, 2021
The new committee will look at Canada’s failure to have a plan in place to evacuate those Afghans who had assisted Canadian troops during their decade-long participation in that conflict, but that’s not all MPs should look at, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 13, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 13, 2021
The new committee will look at Canada’s failure to have a plan in place to evacuate those Afghans who had assisted Canadian troops during their decade-long participation in that conflict, but that’s not all MPs should look at, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 7, 2021
Members of The Royal Canadian Dragoons conduct patrols at Garrison Petawawa on March 24. Many of the names currently used for military units are so long out of date as to be laughable and arguably misleading. Our armoured units have tanks or reconnaissance vehicles, they do not ride horses, yet they bear names like Dragoons, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Sarah Morley
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 7, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 7, 2021
Members of The Royal Canadian Dragoons conduct patrols at Garrison Petawawa on March 24. Many of the names currently used for military units are so long out of date as to be laughable and arguably misleading. Our armoured units have tanks or reconnaissance vehicles, they do not ride horses, yet they bear names like Dragoons, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Sarah Morley
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 1, 2021
General Wayne Eyre was named the new permanent chief of the defence staff on Nov. 25, ending questions over the future of his predecessor, but raising new ones about why Canada has so many generals and admirals, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 1, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 1, 2021
General Wayne Eyre was named the new permanent chief of the defence staff on Nov. 25, ending questions over the future of his predecessor, but raising new ones about why Canada has so many generals and admirals, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 23, 2021
Black soldiers load Canadian Corps tramways with ammunition in July 1918. In recent years there has been a deliberate effort to celebrate No. 2 Construction Battalion’s contribution to the war efforts as some sort of success story, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Library and Archives Canada
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 23, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 23, 2021
Black soldiers load Canadian Corps tramways with ammunition in July 1918. In recent years there has been a deliberate effort to celebrate No. 2 Construction Battalion’s contribution to the war efforts as some sort of success story, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Library and Archives Canada
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 15, 2021
Governor General Mary Simon speaks with veterans at the National War Memorial on Nov. 11. This year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies mark the first time that Canadians have had to mourn fallen soldiers who died in the service of Canada—but because NATO lost the war and the Taliban prevailed, those lives were lost in vain, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 15, 2021
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 15, 2021
Governor General Mary Simon speaks with veterans at the National War Memorial on Nov. 11. This year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies mark the first time that Canadians have had to mourn fallen soldiers who died in the service of Canada—but because NATO lost the war and the Taliban prevailed, those lives were lost in vain, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade