NDVA Committee Report

 LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATION 1

The government increase the annual base budget for the Department of National Defence to between 1.5% to 1.6% of GDP, with the increase to be phased in over the next three years, and continue to move towards the NATO average.

RECOMMENDATION 2

In order for DND to be able to purchase necessary capital equipment, in a timely fashion, the annual shortfalls identified by the Auditor General, be made up as quickly as possible.

RECOMMENDATION 3

Any future defence review have significant parliamentary and public input.

RECOMMENDATION 4

The government review the existing security and intelligence structure with a view to determining whether or not open source and foreign intelligence are being effectively coordinated and to determine whether or not an independent foreign intelligence agency should be established in order to ensure that Canada’s vital national interests are being served.

RECOMMENDATION 5

The Department of National Defence put in place a comprehensive system for determining the readiness of the Canadian Forces. This system should set clear and standardized measurements of operational readiness for the CF and its component units.

RECOMMENDATION 6

No notice inspections be carried out, on a regular basis, on the operational readiness of selected commands and units of the Canadian Forces.

RECOMMENDATION 7

Yearly readiness evaluations be done on the CF and its component units and that these be tabled with SCONDVA upon completion.

RECOMMENDATION 8

The Army proceed as quickly as possible with changes in its training regime to ensure that all its units undergo, on a regular basis, the full extent of combat training required to improve and maintain its state of readiness at a high level, including training at the battalion and brigade levels.

RECOMMENDATION 9

The budget for the Land Forces be increased in the next fiscal years to provide sufficient funding to improve its level of readiness, especially with regards to combat training and the replacement of obsolete equipment.

RECOMMENDATION 10

The Department of National Defence maintain its strong commitment to research and development in the defence field and its cooperation with Canadian industries to ensure the design and production of state‑of‑the art military equipment.

RECOMMENDATION 11

The Department of National Defence undertake a study on the future of JTF2 to determine its long-term requirements in terms of resources, the implications of overseas deployments of some of its personnel, and the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a Canadian special force unit similar to U.S. and U.K. special force units operating in Afghanistan. The Department should communicate to this Committee the general conclusions of this study and its decisions, if any, concerning the need for a special force.

RECOMMENDATION 12

The Department of National Defence make a commitment as quickly as possible to fund Phase 2 of the Land Force Reserve Restructure project so that the revitalization and restructuring of the Army Reserve can proceed as currently planned.

RECOMMENDATION 13

The National Defence Act be amended as quickly as possible to provide job protection to Reservists called-up for duty during major emergencies such as conflicts and that efforts be maintained, notably by the Canadian Forces Liaison Council, to encourage employers to give Reservists time off for military exercises with job protection.

RECOMMENDATION 14

The government approve the funding for the acquisition, over the span of a decade, of at least three replenishment ships with roll-on roll-off capabilities to provide a strategic sealift capability for overseas deployments and to replace the two replenishment ships currently in service.

RECOMMENDATION 15

New replenishment and other ships acquired for Canada’s Navy be constructed in Canadian shipyards in keeping with efforts to maintain this country’s shipbuilding capability and defence industrial base in general.

RECOMMENDATION 16

Canada acquire additional heavy lift transport aircraft and replace older models to ensure the strategic and tactical airlift capacity required to rapidly and effectively deploy the personnel and equipment required for overseas operations.

RECOMMENDATION 17

The project for the replacement of the four Tribal class destroyers with new warships with superior command and control as well as air defence capabilities should proceed.

RECOMMENDATION 18

The mid-life upgrading and refit of the 12 frigates be given a high priority so that Canada’s naval capabilities are not allowed to slide into obsolescence as happened so many times in the past.

RECOMMENDATION 19

The process of selecting and acquiring the airframe or basic vehicle and the electronic equipment for the new maritime helicopter project be accelerated to ensure that all of the Sea King helicopters will be replaced by the end of the decade.

RECOMMENDATION 20

No efforts be spared to provide the Sea King helicopters with all the mechanical, electronic, and other equipment necessary to ensure their effective and safe operation until they are withdrawn from service.

RECOMMENDATION 21

All 18 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft be modernized and kept in the Air Force’s inventory of aircraft so that they can continue to fulfil all their roles, including search and rescue and surveillance flights in Canada’s North.

RECOMMENDATION 22

The Canadian government authorities continue to explore with their U.S. counterparts possible ways of improving the longstanding cooperation between Canada and the U.S. in NORAD and in the defence of North America in general, in light of the establishment by the U.S. of its new Northern Command, and that Parliament be kept informed.

RECOMMENDATION 23

Sufficient numbers of new and replacement transport aircraft be acquired in the near future to meet the domestic needs of Canada, including search and rescue operations, while ensuring the airlift capacity required for foreign deployments, as called for in recommendation 16.

RECOMMENDATION 24

The Department of National Defence, together with the Department of Veterans Affairs, give a high priority and additional funding to programs designed to help members of the Canadian Forces dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other psychological/physical injuries following their participation in peacekeeping or combat missions abroad or in training, rescue, or other operations within Canada in order to maintain a good quality of life for the individuals.

RECOMMENDATION 25

The Department of National Defence and the Department of Veterans Affairs continue extensive research on all the possible causes of what is referred to as the Gulf War Syndrome and any other psychological/physical injuries.