‘History will tell’ if Canada’s military facing new decade of darkness: defence chief – National | 24CA News
Is Canada’s army dealing with a brand new decade of darkness amid persistent personnel challenges and rising calls for on the pressure from all over the world?
“History will tell,” mentioned Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre in an interview with The West Block’s Mercedes Stephenson, airing in full on Sunday.
“I think it’s too early to say … if it’s a decade of darkness. I’ve certainly faced some challenges in this position, and the armed forces writ large are facing some challenges,” he mentioned.
“But our job is to do everything we can within our power to make it better, to be ready.”
Read extra:
Canadian army speeding to purchase new weapons after classes realized from Ukraine conflict
Read subsequent:
Rent management: What tenants ought to know as rental costs surge throughout Canada
In addition to a scarcity of recruits, the Canadian army continues to face longstanding challenges in procuring new gear, sustaining ageing gear, and monitoring down substitute elements.
There are additionally ongoing questions on whether or not the federal authorities will transfer to contract replacements for the weapons, gear and different gear similar to ammunition that the Canadian army has been donating within the billions to Ukraine.
While army officers aren’t inserting blame on any single subject with respect to the recruitment and retention issues, the Canadian Forces have been shaken lately by a sexual misconduct disaster that touched even the very best ranks, together with wider consideration on systemic racism.
The reputational downside has been compounded by considerations concerning the presence of right-wing extremists and racism within the ranks, which a assessment mentioned final yr had been elements “repulsing” new recruits.
But the compounding issues come amid a world quickly turning into extra unstable and unsure — one Defence Minister Anita Anand mentioned final yr is rising “darker” and extra “chaotic.”
“We can still respond pretty fast, but are we big enough for what the requirement is? And so we need to work on all of those factors,” Eyre mentioned.
“I am concerned because we see that increased demand signal around the world and here at home, because our security situation globally is deteriorating. And what that means is the country is going to require more and more out of the Canadian Armed Forces in the years to come.”
Eyre mentioned he worries these elements imply Canada’s army will not be prepared for the challenges the longer term holds as the worldwide safety scenario continues “deteriorating.”
The full interview will air at 11 a.m. Eastern on Sunday.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
