Evolution of the Canadian Defense Policy in the 21st Century1 Revised

Evolution of the Canadian Defense Policy in the 21st Century
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Summary
Evolution of the Canadian Defence Policy indicates approaches by Canada to restructure its defense mechanisms using various policy frameworks throughout the 21st century. Canada’s Military Strategy policy was introduced with the aim of defending the country from its enemies, supporting the local authorities during a natural calamity, deploying forces in foreign countries for emergency situations, supporting international events, engaging in frequent international tasks and increasing military personnel to improve military operations. The adoption of the Military strategy policy, however, introduced challenges in the governorship and military executions of the country. This is the reason for the evolution of the policy over time to fit into the changes, goals and governorship strategies that Canada was putting in place. Various international scenarios changed the implementation of the policy all through the 21st century making it to undergo both structural and political changes. The policy proved to be significant in the international affairs because its formulation and implementation became a global concern and thus, the need for the amendments. Every president who has ruled Canada in the century have tried to make favorable changes to the military strategy. However, the subsequent leaders tend change the structures put to place by their predecessors. The leadership dynamic perception of the military strategy has greatly contributed to the long period of amendment of the policy.

The 2016-2017 stage was the latest formulation of the policy where it involved many people where a lot of military transformation took place and improved the military workforce.
Evolution of the Canadian Defense Policy in the 21st Century.
The defence policy known as military strategy is a public procedure concerned with a country’s military and the international security. The policy is comprises of measures and actions that a government can undertake or not undertake concerning decision making and achieving the national goals. The defence policy is important for a country because it helps uphold a country’s independence for developmental processes. The defence ministry is the primary decision maker in Canada’s National Defence Policy. The military policy helps in detecting threats and aggression, and it outlines the country’s readiness regarding national security, military technology, military alliances and the organizations within the military. The defense strategy is formed from the military policy process of decision making and the consideration of essential priorities such as defense personnel, budget priorities and the technology put into practice in the country regarding their effect on the national development agenda. Countries like Canada have always changed the Defence Policy to match the challenge and the new issues that arise in the 21st century.
The federal government of Canada has been using the Canada’s First Defence Strategy (CFDS). The CFDS was established by the Conservative government in the past years. The First Defence Strategy was to deliver a clear and precise way of modernizing the Canadian Military with the aim of advancing the Canadian Military effectiveness. The policy was built on four major pillars: infrastructure, readiness, personnel, and equipment. The purpose of the First Canadian Military Strategy was to help Canada in getting a modern military with well-defined skills and missions (Moens, 2008). The policy worked on six primary tasks, and the First Canadian Defence Policy anticipated that the military must have the ability to sustain all operations and if possible support the services simultaneously. The services included; defend the country from a terrorist attack, backing the local authorities during a natural disaster, deploy forces in foreign countries to respond to an emergency, support any international event like the 2010 Olympics and conduct the day to day domestic and international tasks. The First Canadian Defence Strategy was also “aimed at increasing the military personnel to ensure that there is an improved and increased military operation.” There are 15 million dollars that were set aside for replacement, improvement, and purchase of new fleets and equipment used by the military. In the strategy equipment that were to be purchased include; C-17 Globemaster aircraft, C-130J Hercules aircraft, Arctic patrol ship, CH-47F Chinook helicopters, Maritime patrol aircraft and destroyers and frigates (Moens, 2008). Though this policy has not been fully adopted by the Canadian military, there is a suggestion by the Canadian Prime Minister that the systems are old and outdated and he gave instructions to the Defence Minister to form new policies that will replace the Canada First Defence Strategy.
The suggestion has been met with opposition from different people such as the Conservative Defence Critics who said that the policy is still relevant and the government should continue supporting it. The Canada First Defence policy is aimed at advancing the Canadian Military, and the prime minister should work towards implementing the strategy because it will ensure that the military is active and able to deal with the challenges facing the country. Most of the prime ministers who to power in Canada often try to come up with new defense strategy. All the new defense policies formed by the new prime minister only stress on common aims which are; a strong home defense, military cooperation with the United States and engaging in military operation across the borders (Moens, 2008). The recent prime minister, Justine Trudeau also embraced the trend as he supports guiding slogan of “strong at home, safe in North America and engaged in the world.” Trudeau government has returned to the process of defense review that was put in place by the Brian Mulroney’s government and was supported by the Liberal government in 1990 that also involved a lot of consultations. During the process of formulating the 2016-2017 defense policy review, a lot of people were involved in the process and much time was taken. In the new defense policy, we can see that the Trudeau government has promised to create a conducived environment for the military personnel so that they can concentrate on serving the nation. In the new strategy, there is an allocation in the defense budget that aims at smoothening the process of military-civilian- military transition to make families comfortable with the military service and this aspect was not available the Canada First Defence Strategy.
There is also a difference in the military composition where the new defense policy aims at recruiting more women to the military to repair the military reputation as there was some sexual misconduct in the military. The conservative government had plans to invest in the military by equipping it with modern equipment such as new fighter fleet, new air-to-air tankers, and there the policy aimed at buying the next generation multi-purpose planes. The Trudeau government decided that this was too costly and the Canada First Defence Strategy and other policies that were formed by the governments previously planned to acquire the equipment on an accrual basis. Trudeau government also plans to spend more on defense, but the military equips are to be purchased on a cash basis so that it would not put the country into debt. Canada has also maintained its military cooperation with the United States since 1958. The American forces have been an example to the Canadian troops as the Canadian forces follow the doctrines and principles that guide the American forces. Through this cooperation, the Canadian army is coming out to be very strong (Moens, 2008). The Canadian forces supported the American Special Forces when they went on a mission in Afghanistan and from that time Canada and United States have been cooperating in many other military operations in other parts of the world. In the recent Defence policy, Canada is not going to join the United States in its missile defense program. Canada will always be loyal to alliances such as NORAD and the NATO.
The secretary general for NATO encouraged Canada to boost its spending on defense policy, and noted that Canada also has the capabilities that the alliance required. In the newly released defense policy, it is better than the other defense policies that had been put in place because it covers a large number of issues that affect the military personnel while on duty and back at home. We see that soldiers on an international operation will be exempted from tax. This will encourage more soldiers to be involved in the international operations willingly. There are again 343 million dollars set aside for the primary purpose of taking care of the soldiers and their families. This will enable the soldiers to have more money for using while on duty without being distracted by the thoughts of their family members because they are being taken care of by the government. There is also the issue of increasing the number of troops (Moens, 2008). The new defense policy aims at having a total of 3500 to 71500 regular forces who will be able to perform different duties, and this will ensure that the military is active as there is enough personnel that will enable the military to serve the citizens well. It also suggested for a new slightly piloted system like the use of armed drones. The drones will help in easy surveillance and launch attacks on threats that cannot be easily accessed by the regular troops. The Canadian army needs significant modernization and reinvestment very soon. The latest defense policy promises a lot of greatness to the Canadian forces, and they should be implemented as quickly as possible. The current government should put in place initiatives to ensure that the demands for the new military policy are met at all cost to make Canada safer. From the current threats that the terrorists are posing from the cyber-crime incidences, the country should also put into consideration to protect its self from the cyber-crime as it is the standard way by which the terrorists to launch their attacks. Canada defense policies improve as time goes by at it becomes stronger at home, more secure in North America and more engaged in the world as time moves.
Reference
Moens, A. (2008). Afghanistan and the revolution in Canadian foreign policy. International Journal, 63(3), 569-586.