March 2000

The Canadian Forces at a crossroads, again! [page 1]

Maj the Rev Canon Ken Maxted (L) is seen enjoying the company of Col Ted Tayloy (C) and BGen Garry Thomson.

Colonel, the Honourable John Fraser PC, OC, OBC, CD, QC, Chairman of the National Defence Minister's Monitoring Committee on Change, addressed a sold out combined RCMI, Royal Canadian Legion (Fort York Branch) dinner approximately three weeks before he submitted this report to the Minster. In his 45-minute address from both prepared text, and from the heart, the former Speaker of the House of Commons covered the gamut of issues currently impacting on the Reserve and the Regular Force. He highlighted areas that have been and continue to be bones of contention, such as funding, recruiting, training, and a realistic approach to public affairs.

Col the Hon John Fraser explains the dilemma facing the Canadian Forces today.

Since 1989 the regular forces have been reduced in strength by 32% from 88,000 to 60,000. Defence spending has been cut by 2 billion dollars, at the same time that deployments have increased, with over 4,000 soldiers serving outside Canada. Col Fraser suspects that this is an optimistic figure, and that in reality the strength is less than 56,000. Canada is being forced to withdraw from East Timor, and Kosovo, because we cannot sustain our commitments, and there is no nice way of putting it or fudging it. Currently the Reserves are between 12,000 and 13,000, and not the 20,000 authorised by Parliament. Col Fraser said that despite these shortfalls, there are some staff officers in Ottawa who believe, that despite all the cuts, Canada can hurl more fire power at a potential enemy today than they would have been able during the Persian Gulf War. One general was quoted as saying, "That shrinkage is not necessarily a loss".

The guest speaker with Honorary appointments, LCol Eddie Goodman, Honourary Lieuteantant of the Queen's York Rangers (L), and MGen Reg Lewis, Honorary Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Canada.

Chairman Fraser said he was quoting Yogi Berra at his peril, "When you come to fork in the road, take it." He said that a public airing of such a statement could compel some staff officer to do a paper on it. Fraser said, "We are not at fork in the road, we are at a crossroads." Then he zeroed in at the dilemma, "We can continue straight on, and sooner or later, meet with realities that confound our friends and allies, and dismay our people (the Canadian public) because we no longer can do what we say we will do. Or we can turn, and go down another road and reduce our armed forces to minimal effectiveness. Then with moral self -justification lead a chorus for a better, more peaceful non-violent world, and hope some else accepts not only their responsibility, but assumes ours also." There are a number of groups outside the CF who constantly snipe at the diminished budget, the role, or continually to try and find fault. Col Fraser referred to them by quoting Rudyard Kipling as, "Those that condemn the uniform of those who guard them while they sleep." This stuck a resounding cord with the audience.

LCol Sandy Cameron, President of the Fort York Branch, Royal Canadian Legion (L) pores over his notes before leading Head Table guests up to the Dining Room. Former RCMI President, MGen Bruce Legge looks on.

Col Fraser said he knew he was preaching to the converted, and the question period, adjudicated by LCol Sandy Cameron, reflected this. Col Fraser was asked about the 200 or so Bisons that had been purchased, with much fanfare, for the Army Reserve. Paid for with Reserve funding, that are currently being held, and used exclusive by the Regular force. The questioner suggested that in some jurisdiction this would be called a theft.

Immediately after the formal part of the evening finished, Col Fraser fielded additional individual questions from members and guests, and posed for photographs.

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