Defence plan to cost $50-billion over 20 years

STEVEN CHASE

May 15, 2008

OTTAWA — Canada’s new defence strategy will cost up to $50-billion over two decades - $20-billion more than the Harper government announced earlier this week - one of the country’s top generals said yesterday as the military scrambled to quell criticism that the plan lacks sufficient detail.

Lieutenant-General Walter Natynczyk, Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, said the military would spend between $45-billion and $50-billion on planes, combat vehicles, ships and fighters under the Canada First Defence Strategy, the Conservative government’s plan for the military that was originally released Monday without comprehensive details.

But senior military officers were constrained from talking openly as they tried to further flesh out the strategy yesterday.

Aside from an opening statement by Gen. Natynczyk, senior military officials who hosted a hastily arranged briefing were under orders not to let themselves be identified by name when answering reporters’ questions.

“What’s really important is the government direction, in this regard, with regard to public affairs - so I have to live within that limitation,” Gen. Natynczyk said.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office has exerted stronger control over Department of Defence communications in recent months, particularly after the treatment of detainees captured by Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan fuelled controversy.

Globe and Mail Full Article

15/05/2008