John Ivison: A more dangerous world looms. Will Canada, freighted with pandemic debt, be ready?

Saab is offering to build the Gripen E fighter jet in Canada as part of its pitch to win the federal competition to supply 88 aircraft. SAAB HANDOUT

Now, in the face of a pandemic debt, the capacity of both Canada and different nations is clearly questioned. In this way, it is appropriate to bring up the fact that China has exploited the fragility created by COVID to accelerate its political annexation in the South China Sea and Hong Kong.

In reference to this, it is understood that the opposition to his belligerence has been received with disdain. After Canada suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, in the wake of China’s radical new security law, the Chinese threatened retaliation.

Likewise, the geopolitical world after COVID promises to be a more evil and dangerous place, and it is not clear that Canada is prepared for it from a diplomatic or military point of view. However, it is clear that there is a massive accumulation of new debt, as Canada made its way through the pandemic.

Undeniable concern

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bill Morneau will provide the exact dimensions of the mountain we have to climb with his fiscal “snapshot” on Wednesday. Without a doubt, at some point, that debt will have to be paid.

Likewise, in difficult times, governments have traditionally reduced their path to balance. One of the first budgets analyzed is the National Defense department, since it spends more than anyone else. In the mid-1990s, the Jean Chrétien government cut defense spending by a third. In its deficit reduction action plan after the 2008 financial collapse, the Harper government cut $ 1 billion a year from DND’s budget, while asking it to find $ 1 billion more in savings. Now, it is necessary to express that there is a possibility that history will repeat itself, and in fact, this is already causing undeniable concern in defense circles.

In this way, some consider that the liberals could breach the commitment to buy 88 new combat aircraft, at a cost of around $ 19 billion, and perhaps even the promise of spending another $ 60 billion on a national strategy. shipbuilding company looking to build 15 new surface combat ships. However, with the offerings for the Saab, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing end-of-month planes, the prevailing sense is that the government will proceed with the evaluation process.

Now, it goes without saying that there is some optimism that a more uncertain world could protect defense budgets this time.

Source: John Ivison | National Post