NDDN Committee News Release
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Standing Committee on National Defence |
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Comité permanent de la défense nationale |
For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
The State of Readiness of the Canadian Forces
Ottawa, December 06, 2012 -
The Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, Mr. James Bezan, recently tabled the Committee’s latest report: The State of Readiness of the Canadian Forces.
The Committee’s predecessor, The House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs, undertook a study of “operational readiness” 10 years ago in 2001-2002. Given the changing nature of the strategic environment, Members felt it appropriate to revisit the issue in order to ensure that the Canadian Forces (CF) have the equipment and resources required for the taskings they may be required to undertake.
While the Department of National Defence and the CF have to always make difficult choices in light of finite funding, the Standing Committee felt that things are generally proceeding well. The news we heard during our investigation was far more positive than that heard ten years ago.
The Defence Committee believes that the Government of Canada needs to continue to properly support the men and women of the Canadian Forces. This will require continuing investments in personnel, training, education, care of the injured, equipment, and all that is required to enable CF members to perform their duties with the skill and professionalism continually demonstrated.
During our study, Members of the Standing Committee on National Defence “agree that the Reserves have proven themselves to be an essential component of Canada’s armed forces.” As our first recommendation notes, it is therefore important that the government continue to provide financial support to employers of Reservists.
Some of our other recommendations include that the government should provide an update to the Canada First Defence Strategy (CFDS) “...with a particular focus on emerging capabilities, more rapid and efficient force projection and operational readiness.” We also considered it imperative that Canada “continue to maintain a readily deployable, balanced, multi-purpose combat-ready force."
In addition, recommendations were made with respect to the protection of cyber-infrastructure, training at both the national and international levels, the need for submarines and other military assets.
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