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Date Posted: 10:13:23 02/19/03 Wed
Author Host/IP: d150-99-156.home.cgocable.net/24.150.99.156
Military increase off target $800-million funding boost ignores realities, analysts say
Wednesday, February 19th, 2003
By Paul Samyn
OTTAWA -- Canada's soldiers will be getting more money to fight terrorism in Afghanistan and cover ongoing defence needs at home in a budget that military experts say still misses the target.
Finance Minister John Manley yesterday announced the National Defence budget will increase by $800 million a year beginning April 1.
As well, there will be an automatic annual increase of $150 million over the next two years.
"Today, Canadians are preoccupied by international tensions and the spectre of terrorism," Manley said. "No matter what changes in the world, Canadians will always look first to the men and women of our Armed Forces to ensure the security of our nation... but all Canadians agree that gratitude, pride and even respect are not enough to ensure their safety or our security."
But the additional cash falls far short of the $1.3 billion the federal auditor general said is needed annually, or the $6 billion over two years recommended by the House of Commons defence committee.
And far from going on a spending spree, Canada's generals will have to find $200 million in savings from "reallocation and other efficiency measures."
"I think the new money will go in and out very quickly," said Howard Michitsch, a retired major and military analyst. "It's not really going to have a great impact on the military."
David Rudd, a defence expert with the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies, said the budget ignores the realities of both the war on terrorism and the expectations placed upon Canada's military, which will be sending more than 1,000 soldiers to Afghanistan for a one-year mission.
"There is still a gap between resources and expectations, and the commitment to Afghanistan is proof positive of that," Rudd said.
"The additional appropriations will not allow Canada to live up to the rhetoric of multi-lateralism."
Rudd said rookie Defence Minister John McCallum fought the good fight and deserves some credit for squeezing extra money out of the government.
"But the minister knows he only got one half of what the auditor general stated was necessary, and how do you deal with that issue?"
Rudd warned there will have to be both cuts in terms of personnel and equipment -- perhaps the Leopard tanks and aging Hercules transports -- to find $200 million in cost savings.
"The minister is saying, 'We will be making tough choices,' which is another way of saying the forces will get smaller and less capable in the years to come."
Manley has been seen as one of the more hawkish member of the Chretien cabinet and has said publicly that Canada needs to do more of its share militarily on the global stage.
However, the finance minister maintains the extra funding will be enough to cover both the costs of the coming mission to Afghanistan and ongoing defence needs.
"This (the Afghanistan mission) is a dangerous and difficult commitment, but as always, the Canadian Forces will undertake their mission with the courage and professionalism for which they are known throughout the world," Manley said. "The increased resources I have just announced, along with the funds we have set aside for military contingencies, are expected to cover the incremental costs of this mission."
Manley's budget will provide an immediate payout of $270 million to cover an outstanding $100-billion bill from the last mission to Afghanistan as well as other urgent costs, ranging from equipment upgrades to purchases of spare parts.
As well, there is a $125-million contingency available this year to help pay for any action in Iraq and a $200-million contingency fund for next year.
Canada's contribution to the war on terrorism through Operation Apollo, including ground forces in Afghanistan, has cost $395 million to date.
paul.samyn@freepress.mb.ca
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