1. Canadian Politics Debating the Armed Forces

2. Somalia  Canadian military scandal 1993-1997  United Nations Humanitarian Efforts Famine and Civil War No government/Tribal Warfare  Canadian Airborne Regiment – light infantry  Death of Shadane Arone Master Corporal Clayton Matchee & Private Kyle Brown Attempted Theft/Torture/Photographs/Death  Matchee – suicide/unfit for Trial  Brown - manslaughter  1997 Election – investigation dissolved

3. Rwanda  Genocide – Tutsis and Hutus 800,000 Tutsis died (and Hutu sympathizers)  April 6 – Mid-July, 1994  Canadian-led UN Peacekeeping Operation  UN Security Council refused to send extra support  January 11 – General Romeo Dallaire warns UN about Hutu plan to exterminate Tutsis  May 17 th – UN admits “genocide” but squabbles with US over money to pay for military machinery to be sent to Rwanda.  Extra troops, mainly from Africa and France, land in Rwanda.  2 million Rwandan Tutsis and Hutu sympathizers displaced.

4. Conservative Position on Military  More broadly, this Government is committed to supporting Canada's core values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights around the world. In this regard, the Government will support a more robust diplomatic role for Canada, a stronger military and a more effective use of Canadian aid dollars.  Just as it honours the past efforts of our veterans, the Government stands firmly behind the vital role being played by our troops in Afghanistan today. The dedicated Canadians in Afghanistan deserve all of our support as they risk their lives to defend our national interests, combat global terrorism and help the Afghan people make a new start as a free, democratic and peaceful country.

5. Liberal Position on Military  The Liberal team remains steadfast in our support for the members serving in the Canadian Forces. Each day, these brave men and women put their lives on the line to provide us with a safe and secure world.  In the face of a mounting insurgency in Afghanistan, and with fading support from our NATO partners, our troops are facing an increasingly difficult mission. We owe it to our soldiers to develop a strategy that will achieve real results in establishing a lasting peace in Afghanistan.  Because peace and sustainable development are inextricably linked, we must reduce poverty, while promoting peace and security. From the international fight against AIDS, to humanitarian relief in troubled regions like Southern Sudan, to forgiving the debt of the world’s poorest nations, Canada as a valuable role to play in building a better world for ourselves and our children

6. New Democrat Position on Military  Given the complexity, the severity and the stakes of the armed conflict in Afghanistan, the New Democratic Party of Canada does not see counter-insurgency warfare as the solution to Afghanistan’s problems. We believe that the strategy being pursued in Southern Afghanistan is endangering the Afghan civilian population, our forces and our country’s credibility. That is why the NDP is demanding the immediate withdrawal of Canadian forces from the mission in Afghanistan.  “Today, on Peacekeepers’ Day, the NDP joins with all Canadians to recognize and commemorate all who have served Canada in the service of peace since 1948. We honor the contributions of all past and current peacekeepers and of diplomats and members of the Canadian Forces that have served around the world on peacekeeping missions (Aug. 9)

7. Layton’s speech on Foreign Relations  Canadians have seen their government change course on peace and security.  Canada was once a leader in peacekeeping, but over the last ten years we have dropped from 8th place to 55th place globally.  Worse still, Liberal and Conservative governments have steered our troops away from peacekeeping and into a combat role.  But when Canadian funds are disproportionately skewed towards military spending we cannot win the hearts and minds of local Afghans.  And when our government signs a detainee agreement that has our soldiers turn prisoners over to a security force well known to engage in torture, we cannot win the trust of local Afghans.  Yet Stephen Harper has begun to hint strongly at his desire to keep Canadian troops in Afghanistan – indefinitely.  His position is clear – and it’s wrong.

8. Government Spending on Military  Government’s website Government’s website  2005 Liberal Budget: $13 billion (over 5 yrs)  2006 Conservative Budget: $5.3 billion (over 5 yrs). $15 billion more on military machinery

9. Armed Forces  Today: 62,000 military personnel including 9,500 sailors, 19,500 soldiers, 14,500 air force personnel and 20,000 administrative and support personnel. There are also about 22,000 reservists.  Second World War: 60,000 men and women enlisted in Canada's armed forces in one month (September 1939) after the declaration of war.  First World War: More than 600,000 Canadians enlisted to fight in the First World War from 1914- 1918.

10. Navy  Today: There are 30 surface ships, four submarines and 9,500 sailors in Canada's navy.  Second World War: At the end of the war, Canada had the third-largest fleet in the world, after the U.S. and the U.K. 23 Canadian ships were sunk by German U-Boats in the Battle of St. Lawrence alone.  First World War: During the course of the First World War, Canada's naval service grew to a force of 9,000 men and 100 ships

11. Today  More than 1,200 members of the Armed Forces are deployed overseas.  Second World War: More than one million served and approximately 45,000 died.  First World War: Almost 620,000 Canadians served in First World War and 66,000 died.  Canada in NATO: Of NATO's 19 member countries, Canada is...First in land area (9,093,507 sq. km), and sixth in total military spending ($13 billion)

12.  Since the end of the Second World War, Canada's military has been downsized – in terms of personnel, equipment and budget.  Canadian Forces have been pared down from well over 100,000 in 1956 to approximately 60,000 today.  At the same time, government spending on the military has dropped from almost six per cent of the GDP in 1956 to just over one per cent in 2003 (12.8 billion promised that year).

13.  Department of National Defence Department of National Defence