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The world is an unpredictable and dangerous place. Canadians should be angry that other countries continue to rightly label us freeloaders on matters of defence. Strengthening our contribution to NATO and NORAD and to our regular military will allow us to respond more effectively to world challenges in co-operation with our partners and allies.

This will mean taking several critical first steps. Canada should speed up the acquisition of new fighter jets, and the deployment of the Combatant and Arctic Patrol Vessels (under construction). We should procure at least one, perhaps two, naval supply ships, and an aircraft carrier to project power and provide rapid deployment to world hot spots when needed. Canada also needs a heavy ice breaker to replace the Coast Guard’s Louis St. Laurent. She is 50 years old, well beyond her designed operational life.

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Additionally, we are vulnerable with respect to our northern border and the Northwest Passage. Who controls it? The U.S. considers it to be an international waterway. Canada claims it as our internal or territorial water. As traffic through the passage increases, its disputed status opens the northern Arctic to catastrophic risks. Firstly, it is an “unlocked backdoor” to North America. Secondly, the lack of approved sea lanes, navigational aids and a search and rescue capability increases the risk of oil spills, collisions, groundings and unnecessary loss of life. Thirdly, uncontrolled seaborne noise will seriously disturb the habitats of marine wild life, as will the undisciplined discharge of sewage into the environment.