Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Friday, November 29, 2024
Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989
Friday, November 29, 2024 | Latest Paper

Inside Defence

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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 25, 2024
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
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 | 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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 31, 2019
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2019
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2019
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2019
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2019
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2019
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2019
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
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 22, 2019
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
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2019
Former Maple Leafs player Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, left, suited up for a morale-boosting Canadian military hockey game on Dec. 5, 2017 in Latvia. On the flight to get to there, he was accused of sexual assault, but the case was dropped last week. Canadian Embassy in Latvia photograph by Armins Janiks
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2019
Former Maple Leafs player Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, left, suited up for a morale-boosting Canadian military hockey game on Dec. 5, 2017 in Latvia. On the flight to get to there, he was accused of sexual assault, but the case was dropped last week. Canadian Embassy in Latvia photograph by Armins Janiks
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2019
In March, U.S. President Donald Trump intervened in the case of a U.S. Navy SEAL charged with murder for his alleged actions in Iraq, saying he would be moved to ‘less restrictive confinement.’ Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2019
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2019
In March, U.S. President Donald Trump intervened in the case of a U.S. Navy SEAL charged with murder for his alleged actions in Iraq, saying he would be moved to ‘less restrictive confinement.’ Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore