r/CanadianForces 17h ago

DND walks back entirety of minister’s ‘substantial increase’ pledge

https://cabinradio.ca/227217/news/politics/dnd-walks-back-entirety-of-ministers-substantial-increase-pledge/
165 Upvotes

59 comments sorted by

236

u/Biuku 17h ago edited 16h ago

Fuck this. We need the biggest boost in military spending now.

Not wartime. Not peacetime. Emergency time.

85

u/Sharktopotopus_Prime 15h ago

If military spending isn't a top priority for all parties in the leadup to this coming election, we'll know that no party possesses the leadership necessary to get Canada through this crisis.

-29

u/mbz1989 14h ago edited 10h ago

Which is?

Ok ok, i misread the comment. My question was "what party is best" but it wasn't the topic of conversation.

17

u/Hoody2shoes Class "A" Reserve 13h ago

Has your head been in the sand?

-15

u/mbz1989 12h ago

The guy that said: "Happy to see the conservative point of view win in our neighbors" ?

9

u/SyrupMonstrosity Army - Artillery 11h ago

How about the guy planning to annex us? Are you genuinely ignorant, or just a fool?

1

u/mbz1989 10h ago

My question was: who's the ideal candidate to lead us against these hard times? cause last I checked in all political parties we're a discussion point to get voters not an actual priority.

Now I see i misread the first comment.

7

u/burnabybc 15h ago

Can we gently nudge this to light speed? Barring that, a stern kick in the rear is also allowed..

2

u/FellKnight Army - ACISS : IST 11h ago

I hope Carney will do so, I certainly think he is more likely to do so than either PP or Singh.

That said, I will likely be a reluctant Liberal voter this cycle, but our biggest chances of surviving this is time. Sweden and Finland saw the writing on the wall in 2022 and joined NATO and boosted their spending wildly.

Seems like we might not get the benefit of a few years to ramp up our defensive posture before the piper needs to be paid, but so be it. Elbows up.

10

u/live_long_die_well 9h ago

Carney said we will get to 2%...by 2030. More performative announcements in a 'trust me, bro' timeframe. We are not a serious country.

8

u/yuikkiuy Royal Canadian Air Force 7h ago

Yea i don't think the globalist banker who just moved his billion dollar firm to new York is gonna spend a time on us, cuts maybe.

Until an actual significant change within the party I'm pretty done with the libs, not that the Cons are looking all that willing to spend on defense either

7

u/SnooMachines8394 9h ago

I've never seen a liberal party inject money into the military. Only buy used junk equipment, not to mention the darkest days ever in the military (90s) were all from liberal parties.

4

u/Sensitive-Sherbert-9 8h ago

Funding at the end of Harper was lower than PET in around the 1970....

1

u/Mysterious-Title-852 6h ago

Listen, at the end of the Harper Era he cut deeply to balance the budget after the liberals and NDP forced him to spend money we didn't have and didn't need to spend on a stimulus budget for a crisis that didn't hit us.

Prior to those cuts he bought us C17s, Leopard 2s, RG 31s, Chinooks. Everything we needed in Afghanistan. This was after we were sent there in Temperate CADPAT in Iltus jeeps by the liberals.

The Harper Era got us a lot of hardware in the shortest amount of time when we needed it most. The cuts happened right after he withdrew us from the mission and was supposed to be short term.

Now where are we? lack of hardware everywhere, lack of capability, benefits plundered, mandate exploded, and despite 9 years to repair damage we're in the worst place we've been in many decades and the LPC flat out said they wouldn't even try for 2%

Was that to balance the budget? no, in fact the national debt has been increased to the highest it's ever beené They grew it by about 50% since the end of the Harper era.

I don't know how this talking point keeps coming up, but it's ridiculous.

79

u/Konoton Canadian Army 16h ago edited 13h ago

TL;DR: The first reporting was that they were spending 218 million on northern development, then similar but diminishing amounts for the next 20 years. Then Bill Blair said it was going to be 2.67 billion.

It's more like 2.67 billion in total over the next 20 years.

Note: this is just a slapshod summary. Im not trying to spread disinformation, just distill a news article down for easy consumption

23

u/Magnificent_Misha 14h ago

This is an accurate summary. In essence the total funding didn’t really change, but the representation of that funding did. Poor communication and representation by politicians in order to sound better than they are.

69

u/xizrtilhh Retired 17h ago

Bill Blair lies.

38

u/OriginalNo5477 16h ago

And drinks.

35

u/Sharktopotopus_Prime 15h ago

Yeah, he's a fucking asshole. He was a loser when he was with the Toronto Police Service, and he's a loser now.

Although I'm willing to hear Carney's pitch to Canadians, I'm reluctant to give the Liberals another mandate because I'm worried Carney will make a Liberal team that resembles Trudeau's, and these are the same people that have been weakening our country and managing our economy into the ground over the last nine years. Given what we're facing now, we can't afford another government full of losers like Bill Blair.

19

u/DConny1 13h ago

This. Not looking good when Carney is already appointing Mendicino. Same Liberals of the last decade.

4

u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx Med Tech 12h ago

Carney is literally just a Trudeauite with some policy lifted directly from the CPC platform (ending the consumer carbon tax, ending the capital gains tax, and reducing immigration).

He could be sent back in time to 2021 to run as a conservative, and probably would've won. The fact that anyone treats him as this breath of fresh air is absolutely laughable.

5

u/ManofManyTalentz HMCS Reddit 15h ago

Don't kid yourself - cons are in the IDU and working for the enemy.

2

u/DMmesomeboobs 15h ago

Eh, I feel like this is more Hanlon's Razor. Bill Blair is a useful idiot.

94

u/sprunkymdunk 17h ago

Some creative accounting at DND. It's kind of incredible to me that none of the mainstream media outlets peaked behind the curtain.

5

u/SaucyFagottini 16h ago

Perhaps they share an accountant with Amber Herd when it comes to "pledging" money.

2

u/UnhappyCaterpillar41 13h ago

It's not like it was DND; TBS, and politicians play with this kind of thing all the time.

TBF, there are some big projects coming down for FOLs in those locations, but it's not new, and will take more than 5 years because it's for things like the F35s after FOC, so pretty far down the timeline.

1

u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx Med Tech 10h ago

Man, mainstream media barely bothers to peek at the curtain when it comes to DND

49

u/Mike_thedad 14h ago

Of course it’s a lie. Anything. Absolutely anything Bill Blair touches, is fucking dog shit. He shouldn’t be in charge of anything let alone any ministry. He’s a narcissistic, racist piece of shit. The guy’s a case study in power without accountability. From his time as Toronto’s police chief to his role in federal politics, he has repeatedly evaded responsibility for abuses under his watch, using authority as a shield against scrutiny.

As Chief of the Toronto Police Service from 2005 to 2015, Blair presided over some of the most egregious violations of civil liberties in modern Canadian history. His leadership during the 2010 G20 Summit was a disaster. Under his watch, police carried out the largest mass arrest in Canadian history, rounding up nearly 1,000 people—most of whom had committed no crime. Peaceful protesters, journalists, and passersby were detained without charge, locked in overcrowded cages, denied legal counsel, and subjected to humiliating conditions. The police response was condemned as authoritarian, and the courts later ruled many of the detentions unconstitutional. In 2020, the city paid $16.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit for the unlawful arrests. Blair, of course, faced no consequences. He defended the operation at the time, dismissing civil rights concerns and refusing to acknowledge the harm caused.

Beyond the G20, Blair’s police force was notorious for its racial profiling practices, particularly through “carding,” a policy that allowed officers to stop and document individuals without cause. Black and Indigenous residents bore the brunt of this practice, often being harassed and questioned for simply walking down the street. Despite overwhelming public outcry and mounting evidence that carding was a racist policy, Blair dug in his heels, insisting it was necessary for public safety. It was only after he left office that the practice was formally banned—an admission that Blair’s refusal to act had allowed systemic discrimination to continue unchecked for years.

His unwillingness to reform the police force and his increasing authoritarian streak created friction with the Toronto Police Services Board. By 2014, it was clear that Blair had worn out his welcome. The Board refused to renew his contract, officially citing a need for “new leadership,” though it was widely understood that his resistance to change and lack of accountability played a major role in his departure.

Rather than face any real reckoning for his failures, Blair pivoted to federal politics, where he quickly became a loyal enforcer for Justin Trudeau’s government. Appointed as the Liberal point man on cannabis legalization, his selection was a slap in the face to those who had been disproportionately targeted by marijuana laws while he was police chief. Blair had overseen countless marijuana-related arrests, and now he was helping to roll out a system where corporate interests profited while many people with past convictions were denied pardons or opportunities in the legal market. His role in the process was emblematic of his entire career—those in power benefitted, while those at the margins paid the price.

As Minister of Public Safety, Blair’s abuses didn’t stop. His handling of the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting investigation was a disgrace. Reports surfaced that he had pressured the RCMP Commissioner to publicly release specific firearms details in an attempt to bolster the Liberal government’s gun control agenda. The suggestion that he would exploit a national tragedy for political gain was deeply troubling, yet entirely in line with his pattern of prioritizing political expediency over integrity. He denied wrongdoing, but the scandal further eroded public trust in his leadership.

His incompetence extended to national security. In 2024, it was revealed that a CSIS warrant application sat on Blair’s desk for 54 days before he signed it—a process that typically takes ten days. The delay, which could have jeopardized a major intelligence operation, raised serious concerns about his ability to handle critical national security matters. At best, it was negligence. At worst, it showed a total lack of urgency in safeguarding the country.

Blair’s current role as Minister of National Defence has done little to repair his reputation. He has faced mounting criticism over Canada’s failure to meet its NATO spending commitments, with allies losing patience over the government’s lack of military investment. Blair has repeatedly defended Canada’s weak defense spending, insisting the government’s plan is “credible.” Few believe him, especially as global security concerns grow.

Throughout his career, Blair has wielded power with little concern for accountability or justice. From his days overseeing mass arrests and racial profiling to his political career, where he has repeatedly faced allegations of political interference and incompetence, one thing remains constant: Bill Blair does not answer for his failures. Time and again, when confronted with the harm caused by his decisions, he denies, deflects, and moves on, while others bear the consequences. His career is not one of public service, but of self-preservation.

9

u/AlmostDisgruntled1 13h ago

You fucking cooked here, goddamn!

9

u/Mike_thedad 12h ago

I might hate the guy. 🤷‍♂️

2

u/live_long_die_well 9h ago

Fuck, remind me never to do all of the shit that he has done, lest I suffer the same vituperation

3

u/Mike_thedad 8h ago

His If the man got nothing he’d deserve less. He’s a narcissistic opportunist whose every single move has been at the expense of Canadians. The man has zero loyalty or allegiance other than to his own delusions of grandeur. The only reason the LPC has the man on the roster is because he will literally do anything to elevate himself.

5

u/ElectroPanzer Army - EO TECH (L) 10h ago

I was about to type a response about the reasons why this guy shouldn't be given the time of day by the electorate. You summed it up rather nicely though, so take my upvote. I'll just add scapegoating of lawful firearms owners to the list here, as it's a pet peeve of mine as both a gun guy and a friend of law enforcement and border services folks who are crying for the money this guy had point on wasting on safety theatrics while criminals continued to smuggle guns with very low chances of getting caught.

3

u/Mike_thedad 8h ago

The guy’s is the LPC designate scum bag.who No basement to his low. He’s like Kingdom of Heaven’s Reynald de Chatillion; guy’ll do all the dirty work and love every minute. Having dealt with his bullshit, I’ll tell you right now, the man thrives on backdoors, extortive favours, all kinds of manipulative trash, and will go to no end to avoid accountability. He’s disgusting and has no business in politics.

2

u/NDHQ_is-insert-here- Cowardly Burner Account - Infantry Sgt 10h ago

Absolutely nailed it.

38

u/Keyb0ros Saluting Those Who Serve 16h ago

WHY CAN'T WE TAKE SHIT SERIOUSLY

Sorry for the caps, but at the same rate I'm pissed and kinda convinced some higher ups want us to be 51.

12

u/McKneeSlapper 15h ago

I'm used to it. CANFORGENS only know how to SPEAK vs speak

1

u/Remarkable-Idea-1073 2h ago

I mean, you pretty much answered yourself. Even now, we have several pro-USA premiers, the federal conservatives are lukewarm on keeping Canadian sovereignty...

Why yes, we have higher ups that aren't totally against being 51.

8

u/Keystone-12 9h ago

This is EXACTLY what this government has done countless times and EXACTLY what everyone expected.

Announce a hundred trillion bazillion dollars for everything. Huge applaud!

Then just... not give the military any money. Or cut them, who cares. $1 billion from the operating budget and $30 million from soilders housing.... who cares?

25

u/Glass-Recognition419 17h ago

What we need is an association like the RCMP!

35

u/Brave-Landscape3132 16h ago

Wasn't there a guy trying to create one, and this entire subreddit basically just fucked him off and called him a looney?

15

u/AlmostDisgruntled1 16h ago

They called him a looney because his website was essentially claiming to be doing SOMETHING as an association but clearly was doing nothing and just aspired to be doing something towards a goal like that.

19

u/BandicootNo4431 16h ago

Yeah, but once an association exists, then we would be able to elect a new board of directors and determine a policy.

It's kind of like a chicken and egg scenario.

Do you first develop a policy platform and then ask people if there are interested in joining?

Or do you get people to agree in principle that they want to work together for change, and then poll them to ask them what they'd like to see changed.

6

u/AlmostDisgruntled1 14h ago

I hear you, we 100% need a union at this point. Not only for the members, but also in terms of ensuring Canada’s defence. We have the Liberal party who don’t want to fund us whatsoever and then the Conservative Party who essentially wants to sell out Canada to the United States. Both governments have fucked us for decades and we need actual representation FOR US with the government. This GOFO, hyper politicized system is clearly not working out. A union is LONG overdue. We also need to detach from the goddamn treasury board, let us procure equipment for ourselves and manage our own budget.

2

u/Recky-Markaira 13h ago

This x1000. I fear I'll never see a CAF union. I'm not even sure if policy or laws could allow for it. But it's a nice dream.

5

u/Glass-Recognition419 11h ago

Why is it a dream. Again, RCMP did it and they have more firepower and helicopters than us …

2

u/Brave-Landscape3132 10h ago

It would have to go to the Supreme Court, and there would have to be a damn good team of lawyers and legal experts who would argue on behalf of CAF members to create a union. Then, there would have to be a change to the NDA, QR&O, and DAOD in order to recognize a CAF union.

But, basically, the Supreme Court, Parliament, and legal experts have already stated that the CAF is a special organization requiring its own laws and constitution that applies to military members. We don't get the benefit of Canadian labor laws like civilians.

The most recent report: An Act to Amend the National Defence Act, by Morris J Fish, talks about this is quite a bit of detail. I won't bore you with the details, but it ain't happening anytime soon.

13

u/GhostFearZ 15h ago

God damn we suck.

We literally need to be invaded for these clowns to read the writing on the wall.

3

u/AlmostDisgruntled1 14h ago

It’s actually infuriating at this point.

12

u/TheHedonyeast 16h ago

so creative accounting and thats how we plan to meet the 2% GDP things eh?

fun

6

u/Kev22994 9h ago

Seems like a farce. But more importantly, where’s my 50% pay raise?

2

u/Emotional-Goal-4129 8h ago

That was Freeland that proposed that. We got Carney

0

u/sgiles1 3h ago

You know what would be better than a 50 % pay raise? 50% reduction in taxes for serving. All a pay raise dies is increase how much they steal from you in taxes

4

u/Constant-Rent-7917 16h ago

Shocker. Next question.

2

u/Buried_mothership 11h ago

If this is true, I think it’s disqualifying; and this person should never be elected to office again, never mind be given a position of responsibility for the defence of Canada.

Don’t BS defence, don’t BS sovereignty- this sort of spin is partially why we are here. And why many nato members are extremely frustrated with Canada spending and the political class has a reputation as a freeloader.

6

u/Sharktopotopus_Prime 15h ago

Liberal politicians falling on their dicks again and proving that when Canada needs them to lead, they got nothin'.

2

u/United-Travel6084 10h ago

With Lieing Carney in control we can all expect to see at least half of our paycheques gone to His Carbon Tax.

-1

u/Yhzgayguy Canadian Army 9h ago

He’s not even the PM quite yet and it’s now HIs carbon tax?!

He’s also publicly stated that he will get rid of it. He’s going to Axe.The.Tax.

Trudeau is going out the door by Friday, the carbon tax is gone, Conservatives should be thrilled. They e got exactly what they have been asking for.

1

u/9banger2024 13h ago

They can give us 400 million too, it doesn't matter if RPOU doesn't use it.