Alliance plan would boost defence spending, recruitment

Alliance plan would boost defence spending, recruitment
Last Updated Fri, 02 May 2003 19:47:47

OTTAWA - The military needs new recruits, planes, ships and equipment to restore its strength and pride, the Canadian Alliance said in its policy paper on defence.

Released Friday by the Alliance, the paper calls for $1.2 billion more per year until the national defence budget reaches $20 billion. It's currently at $12 billion.

The war on terror will frame "for the foreseeable future" the security policy for western allies, said Alliance leader Stephen Harper. Our NATO allies must be able to count on us, he said.

Highlights of the Alliance's plan include:

* Create a national security council
* Expand regular forces by 20,000
* Reinstate the Canadian Airborne Regiment
* Replace Sea King helicopters
* Buy F-35 fighter planes to replace CF-18s

The disbandment of the airborne regiment in 1995 "tore the heart out of the Canadian military," said Harper. He said a newly created unit could fill a rapid-response role for the country.

He blamed the Liberals for allowing Canadian military preparedness to slip to "crisis levels."

"Successive governments have undermined our proud military heritage, critical needs have been neglected, vital resources have been denied," said Harper.

The Alliance also called on the federal government to participate in the U.S. missile defence system.

Written by CBC News Online staff