Cochrane and area residents had the opportunity to provide input for the government’s review on its current defence policy last week,
Approximately 16 residents attended an open round table discussion hosted by Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards at the Cochrane Legion last Wednesday discussing six questions presented by the MP including what residents thought the biggest threat to Canada and Canadians was, and should Canada maintain, increase or decrease military spending?
“This gives a chance for Canadians to give their input, tell their priorities and have discussion, and I think at the end of the day we expect a significant contribution to our military forces,” Richards said during a break in the meeting.
“I certainly don’t pretend to be an expert in what those needs are but I know by having discussions like the ones we are having today, with people who served in our military and Canadian Forces, who have some expertise, that is the way to start.”
The attendees were spilt up into three groups where everyone got 10 minutes to discuss each question and write a summary of what people at the table discussed.
In the case of the question regarding what residents thought was the biggest threat to Canada and Canadians, one table answered, “Liberal governments, foreign defense and immigration policies.”
When asked what he thought about how the Liberal government was handling military spending, Richards said he was “not seeing a positive sign.”
“We are certainly pushing to make sure those needs are met and that the resources are there and the equipment that is needed is provided and I think opportunities like this for people to give their input is a big part of that,” Richards said.
In a previous press release from the MP asking for help to shape Canada’s Defence Policy, Richards stated “in this global age of terror and rogue states, Canada cannot afford massive cuts to our military.”
When asked if Canada should maintain, increase or decrease its defence budget, one table answered, that the budget should be spent on “right things” and that the amount was not as important as collaboration between the industry and government – “not the right question,” attendees at the table stated.
After hosting open round table discussions across the Banff-Airdrie constituency, Richards wrote an open letter to the Minister of National Defence. That letter stated there was discussion surrounding the importance of continued investment in the military as well as the defence priorities of the Federal Government.
Richard wrote that the key themes of the discussions included that “Canada should maintain a combat capable force that is adequately equipped to support our allies.”
It went on to state attendees expressed concerns that in his the first budget Prime Minister Trudeau slashed much needed investment in the Canadian military “putting at risk the safety and security of all Canadians here at home and abroad.”
Richards said he was concerned at the “trend” he was seeing with the Liberal government in regards to military spending adding there was a need in the last 10 years that the previous government has been trying to fulfill.
“Have we succeeded with that in every fashion, no? But the one thing I have heard quite clearly from people who have called in or given their feedback already is the military often refer to Chretien office as the decade of darkness and they are saying they are concerned, we are seeing the concern of that, and we need to avoid that,” Richards said.
