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Inside Defence

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 2, 2024
On the modern battlefield, the M777 howitzer Canada has given to the Ukrainian war effort is the wrong weapon system, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 2, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 2, 2024
On the modern battlefield, the M777 howitzer Canada has given to the Ukrainian war effort is the wrong weapon system, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 26, 2024
The only reason our battle groups had the gear and munitions they needed in Afghanistan was because out of necessity, we begged and borrowed from our allies, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Robert Bottrill
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 26, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 26, 2024
The only reason our battle groups had the gear and munitions they needed in Afghanistan was because out of necessity, we begged and borrowed from our allies, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by MCpl Robert Bottrill
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2024
Canadian soldiers return to their light armoured vehicles during Operation Medusa in 2006. We pursued the war in Afghanistan to the tune of 158 Canadian soldiers killed, 2,000 wounded or physically injured, and countless thousands more suffering the unseen mental wounds of PTSD, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the CAF/Sgt. Lou Penney
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2024
Canadian soldiers return to their light armoured vehicles during Operation Medusa in 2006. We pursued the war in Afghanistan to the tune of 158 Canadian soldiers killed, 2,000 wounded or physically injured, and countless thousands more suffering the unseen mental wounds of PTSD, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the CAF/Sgt. Lou Penney
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 12, 2024
National Defence Minister Bill Blair announced the government's $35.8-million purchase of 90 light tactical vehicles for the Canadian Armed Forces on July 23. Pentagon tests would indicate that this is a useless purchase, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 12, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 12, 2024
National Defence Minister Bill Blair announced the government's $35.8-million purchase of 90 light tactical vehicles for the Canadian Armed Forces on July 23. Pentagon tests would indicate that this is a useless purchase, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 5, 2024
Canadian Armed Forces members on the ground helping to respond to the wildfire that engulfed Jasper, Alta., last month. Screenshot courtesy of CTV News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 5, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 5, 2024
Canadian Armed Forces members on the ground helping to respond to the wildfire that engulfed Jasper, Alta., last month. Screenshot courtesy of CTV News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 29, 2024
HMCS Max Bernays sails in the Pacific Ocean on June 20. DND photograph by Corporal William Gosse
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 29, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 29, 2024
HMCS Max Bernays sails in the Pacific Ocean on June 20. DND photograph by Corporal William Gosse
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 22, 2024
Bill Blair
There is little to no chance Defence Minister Bill Blair and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will still be steering the government’s defence spending agenda eight years from now, so recent promises aren’t worth much, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 22, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 22, 2024
Bill Blair
There is little to no chance Defence Minister Bill Blair and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will still be steering the government’s defence spending agenda eight years from now, so recent promises aren’t worth much, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 15, 2024
U.S. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, left, posted a photo of his July 9 meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on X, saying that 'it’s time for our northern ally to invest seriously in the hard power required to help preserve prosperity and security across NATO.' Photograph courtesy of X/@LeaderMcConnell
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 15, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 15, 2024
U.S. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, left, posted a photo of his July 9 meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on X, saying that 'it’s time for our northern ally to invest seriously in the hard power required to help preserve prosperity and security across NATO.' Photograph courtesy of X/@LeaderMcConnell
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 8, 2024
Besides restoring morale and addressing the crippling shortage of personnel, incoming Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan will need to deal with the political vacuum in which Canada currently finds itself. DND photograph by Private Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 8, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 8, 2024
Besides restoring morale and addressing the crippling shortage of personnel, incoming Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan will need to deal with the political vacuum in which Canada currently finds itself. DND photograph by Private Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 1, 2024
Outgoing Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre’s refusal to release his ‘openness and transparency’ speaking notes is both petty and petulant, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 1, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 1, 2024
Outgoing Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre’s refusal to release his ‘openness and transparency’ speaking notes is both petty and petulant, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 24, 2024
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was in Ottawa on June 19 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the military alliance, but Scott Taylor asks if its history is worth celebrating. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 24, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 24, 2024
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was in Ottawa on June 19 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the military alliance, but Scott Taylor asks if its history is worth celebrating. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 17, 2024
Former U.S. ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft recently added her voice to the chorus calling for Canada to hit the two per cent NATO target. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 17, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 17, 2024
Former U.S. ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft recently added her voice to the chorus calling for Canada to hit the two per cent NATO target. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 10, 2024
The fact that service members now need a regulation telling them they cannot have so much hair that they cannot don a hat speaks volumes for how low officials lowered the bar, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 10, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 10, 2024
The fact that service members now need a regulation telling them they cannot have so much hair that they cannot don a hat speaks volumes for how low officials lowered the bar, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 3, 2024
Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann’s frank assessment of the state of CAF leadership seems to have fallen on deaf ears, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Valerie LeClair
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 3, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 3, 2024
Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann’s frank assessment of the state of CAF leadership seems to have fallen on deaf ears, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Master Sailor Valerie LeClair
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 27, 2024
RCAF members evacuate residents of the Pikangikum First Nation community in July 2019. Willing veterans could backfill the disaster-relief assistance role currently filled by Operation Lentus, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl Ken Beliwicz
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 27, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 27, 2024
RCAF members evacuate residents of the Pikangikum First Nation community in July 2019. Willing veterans could backfill the disaster-relief assistance role currently filled by Operation Lentus, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl Ken Beliwicz
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 20, 2024
Given the thousands of applicants, it would seem that dress and deportment was not the problem, but rather the recruiting and training branches that simply could not process the influx, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces 
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 20, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 20, 2024
Given the thousands of applicants, it would seem that dress and deportment was not the problem, but rather the recruiting and training branches that simply could not process the influx, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces 
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 13, 2024
This summer’s retirement of Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre will open the door for the Liberals to start making good on promised reduction through attrition, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 13, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 13, 2024
This summer’s retirement of Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre will open the door for the Liberals to start making good on promised reduction through attrition, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 6, 2024
Although the band will play on, the Ceremonial Guard’s participation in the summer Changing of the Guard ceremony is just the latest casualty of the Armed Forces’ personnel problems. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 6, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 6, 2024
Although the band will play on, the Ceremonial Guard’s participation in the summer Changing of the Guard ceremony is just the latest casualty of the Armed Forces’ personnel problems. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 29, 2024
The saga to to replace the RCAF's aged-out CF-18 Hornet fighter jets could turn into election campaign fodder, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Pierre Habib
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 29, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 29, 2024
The saga to to replace the RCAF's aged-out CF-18 Hornet fighter jets could turn into election campaign fodder, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Pierre Habib
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 22, 2024
Close followers of the Canadian Armed Forces have good reason to believe that little of what is promised in the defence policy update released by Defence Minister Bill Blair on April 8 will ever see the light of day, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 22, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 22, 2024
Close followers of the Canadian Armed Forces have good reason to believe that little of what is promised in the defence policy update released by Defence Minister Bill Blair on April 8 will ever see the light of day, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 15, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair took two years to unveil the defence policy update, which is not an ‘urgent’ response in any universe, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 15, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 15, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair took two years to unveil the defence policy update, which is not an ‘urgent’ response in any universe, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 8, 2024
Victorious Canadians going out for a rest in May 1917 after the fighting on Vimy Ridge. Scott Taylor writes that he has long challenged the premise that Canada fighting an imperial war to aid Britain somehow reflects our independence as a nation. Photograph courtesy of Library and Archives Canada
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 8, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 8, 2024
Victorious Canadians going out for a rest in May 1917 after the fighting on Vimy Ridge. Scott Taylor writes that he has long challenged the premise that Canada fighting an imperial war to aid Britain somehow reflects our independence as a nation. Photograph courtesy of Library and Archives Canada
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 1, 2024
A Leopard 2A4 tank is unloaded from an RCAF CC-177 on Feb. 5, 2023, as part of Canada’s aid to Ukraine. DND photograph by Master Corporal Desiree Bourdon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 1, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 1, 2024
A Leopard 2A4 tank is unloaded from an RCAF CC-177 on Feb. 5, 2023, as part of Canada’s aid to Ukraine. DND photograph by Master Corporal Desiree Bourdon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 25, 2024
The blockbuster Top Gun sequel didn’t send hordes of young men and women racing to the nearest RCAF recruiting centre, and if it had, the depleted RCAF Fighter Wing is hard pressed to absorb them, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Manuela Berger
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 25, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 25, 2024
The blockbuster Top Gun sequel didn’t send hordes of young men and women racing to the nearest RCAF recruiting centre, and if it had, the depleted RCAF Fighter Wing is hard pressed to absorb them, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Cpl. Manuela Berger
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 18, 2024
The current odds-on favourite to get the nod is Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 18, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 18, 2024
The current odds-on favourite to get the nod is Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 11, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair openly admitted in a March 7 speech that the CAF is in terrible shape, but made no concrete announcements towards fixing it, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 11, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 11, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair openly admitted in a March 7 speech that the CAF is in terrible shape, but made no concrete announcements towards fixing it, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 4, 2024
French President Emmanuel Macron’s fellow NATO state leaders aren’t lining up to back his proposal that alliance members help out Ukraine with combat forces on an ‘official basis.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 4, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | March 4, 2024
French President Emmanuel Macron’s fellow NATO state leaders aren’t lining up to back his proposal that alliance members help out Ukraine with combat forces on an ‘official basis.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 26, 2024
The gap between authorized strength and service members in uniform will only widen as the senior leadership are failing miserably in both recruiting new candidates and retaining trained soldiers, sailors, and aircrew, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sailor First Class Alexandra Proulx
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 26, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 26, 2024
The gap between authorized strength and service members in uniform will only widen as the senior leadership are failing miserably in both recruiting new candidates and retaining trained soldiers, sailors, and aircrew, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sailor First Class Alexandra Proulx
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 19, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair’s Feb. 15 announcement week was simply the result of a months’-long competition for a low-level air-defence system that began in January 2023, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 19, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 19, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair’s Feb. 15 announcement week was simply the result of a months’-long competition for a low-level air-defence system that began in January 2023, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 12, 2024
Having homeless veterans across Canada is a tragedy. Having homeless serving members is a national disgrace, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt. JF Lauzã
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 12, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 12, 2024
Having homeless veterans across Canada is a tragedy. Having homeless serving members is a national disgrace, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Sgt. JF Lauzã
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 5, 2024
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre appears as a witness before the House National Defence Committee on Sept. 28, 2023. Recommendations to fix the military’s culture through new dress and deportment regulations, and a few new pieces of kit will not put Humpty Dumpty back together again. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 5, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | February 5, 2024
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre appears as a witness before the House National Defence Committee on Sept. 28, 2023. Recommendations to fix the military’s culture through new dress and deportment regulations, and a few new pieces of kit will not put Humpty Dumpty back together again. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 29, 2024
Ukraine’s military desperately needs artillery ammunition, drones, combat aircraft, low-level air defence systems, and manpower, but as Defence Minister Bill Blair announced on Jan. 23, Canada is sending them 10 Zodiac boats instead, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 29, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 29, 2024
Ukraine’s military desperately needs artillery ammunition, drones, combat aircraft, low-level air defence systems, and manpower, but as Defence Minister Bill Blair announced on Jan. 23, Canada is sending them 10 Zodiac boats instead, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 22, 2024
Canadian Armed Forces members participate in a tree-planting exercise as part of Operation Reassurance at Camp Adazi Training Area in Latvia on May 5, 2023. The orderly conduct of the Canadian contingent in Latvia made Russian misinformation fizzle on impact, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Darren McDonald
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 22, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 22, 2024
Canadian Armed Forces members participate in a tree-planting exercise as part of Operation Reassurance at Camp Adazi Training Area in Latvia on May 5, 2023. The orderly conduct of the Canadian contingent in Latvia made Russian misinformation fizzle on impact, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Darren McDonald
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 15, 2024
With the advent of technology, crew sizes in conventional warships can be drastically reduced and the future of military aviation is unmanned drones, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by S1 Taylor Congdon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 15, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 15, 2024
With the advent of technology, crew sizes in conventional warships can be drastically reduced and the future of military aviation is unmanned drones, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by S1 Taylor Congdon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 8, 2024
A door gunner with the Tactical Aviation Detachment watches out of a CH-146 Griffon helicopter during Operation Impact on Sept. 27, 2017. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 8, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 8, 2024
A door gunner with the Tactical Aviation Detachment watches out of a CH-146 Griffon helicopter during Operation Impact on Sept. 27, 2017. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 3, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 20, 2023. The new American strategy is aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defensive positions in advance of any peace negotiations, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Adam Schultz
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 3, 2024
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | January 3, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 20, 2023. The new American strategy is aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defensive positions in advance of any peace negotiations, writes Scott Taylor. White House photograph by Adam Schultz
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 27, 2023
Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre, left, and Defence Minister Bill Blair attend a House National Defence Committee meeting on Sept. 28, 2023. In the past year, Canada has announced more than $30-billion in new defence contracts, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 27, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 27, 2023
Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre, left, and Defence Minister Bill Blair attend a House National Defence Committee meeting on Sept. 28, 2023. In the past year, Canada has announced more than $30-billion in new defence contracts, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade