War commemorations may tax Canadian Forces resources: documents
OTTAWA — The federal Conservative government’s plan to commemorate a large number of military battles and accomplishments in the coming years poses a threat to the Canadian Force’s ability to do its job, according to internal Defence Department documents.
This is the first time anyone has indicated that celebrating Canada’s past military contributions could undermine the Canadian Forces today, which opens a whole new avenue of questioning for the government.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced this week that the government will be holding cross- country consultations in advance of celebrations over the next four years to mark a large number of “defining moments” in Canada’s history.
While these moments will include some non- military milestones such as Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, the majority will centre on the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the Second World War’s 75th anniversary.
For example, major ceremonies across Canada and in Europe are expected for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 2017.
Heritage Canada is responsible for organizing and paying for these events, but the Canadian Forces will be expected to provide personnel and equipment at various times
Senior officials warned Canadian Army commander Lt.- Gen. Marquis Hainse in a secret briefing that “there is a risk that the CA ( Canadian Army) budget in 2016- 18 will be dislocated by a plethora of commemoration that will be politically driven and difficult to forecast.”
The Canadian Forces are already struggling with billions of dollars in spending cuts.
Now, thanks to the large number of government- planned commemorations, officials said, “there is risk to ( operations) planning capacity, the CA budget, and normal operations.”
A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Rob Nicholson defended the plans on Friday, noting National Defence’s budget has increased by 27 per cent since 2006.