Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith has warned Parliament that repeated cost increases and delays in the F-35 programme were falling out of line with limits set by the government and military planners (Australia to decide on F-35 fighter purchase in 2012: Govt, Reuters, 17 August 2011). Smith said that the government would not allow “a […]
Tag Archives: Canadian military spending
Challenging Canada's involvement in Libya: News coverage on cost estimates and questions for Parliament
As the House of Commons debated extending Canada’s military presence in Libya this week, the Rideau Institute garnered media attention by calling for clarity in the purpose and methods of the mission, and by providing an alternative estimate of the cost of the war that suggests the Conservative government may be low-balling its eventual cost. […]
More concerns over F-35
There are increasing concerns about spiralling costs and prolonged delays for the F-35 (David Pugliese, Delivery of F-35s could be delayed beyond 2016, Ottawa Citizen, 28 May 2011). Pentagon officials have recently testified before Congress to address the questions surrounding the aircraft. Ashton Carter, the U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, told legislators that the […]
Comments by Steven Staples to CANSEC arms show protest
June 1, 2011. Thank you Diane and Jason for inviting me to join you today. And thank you all for making Canadians aware that arms shows like CANSEC happen right here in Ottawa. Military spending is out of control in this country. While our social programs are inadequate, we still have joblessness, homelessness, and an […]
Party platforms on peace issues
With the notable and limited exception of the proposed F-35 purchase, the issues of war and peace have been almost entirely absent from the current federal election campaign, even though the country is now involved in two on-going wars. The major parties have all published election platform documents, however, and these policy statements do occasionally […]
Use Military Spending for Human Needs: Sign the Petition
It’s time to reduce military spending, and use the public resources to fund human needs.