CANADIAN FORCES IN NEED OF RENEWAL
Yet, leadership contender Paul Martin remains quiet on defence issues

July 31, 2003

Fort St. John, BC – Despite continued revelations of problems associated with the inadequate financial resources of the Canadian Forces, the heir-apparent to the Liberal leadership throne, Paul Martin, has remained silent about his vision for the Canadian military. 

“After years of budget cuts to National Defence under Martin’s watch, the Canadian Forces are in a state of crisis with aging military equipment in need of replacement and fewer new recruits.  For the Liberal Prime Minister-in-waiting not to lay out his plan to rebuild the military is inexcusable,” said Jay Hill, Senior National Defence critic for the Canadian Alliance. 

“Paul Martin is largely responsible for the current state of our military.  Our Air Force cannot fulfil their recruitment demands for pilots, while grappling with an increasing number of aging aircraft requiring replacement,” stated Hill. 

“If Mr. Martin is committed to our Canadian Forces, he should consider stepping forward with his own plan to ensure our military can maintain our future domestic and international operational requirements,” Hill said. 

Last Spring, the Canadian Alliance released a defence policy white paper, entitled, The New North – Strong and Free.  The policy paper provides a comprehensive list of 33 recommendations for renewing and enhancing the operational capabilities of the Canadian military.  Some recommendations include an immediate injection of additional financial resources for National Defence, along with implementing a replacement program for the C-130 and Sea King aircraft.  A copy of the defence policy paper may be obtained by visiting the Canadian Alliance website at: www.canadianalliance.ca.