Liberals rule out cutting the size of the military, despite soaring deficit

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has ruled out cutting the size of the Canadian military, despite the country’s bleak economic and fiscal picture.

In fact, Sajjan says he eventually wants to see the force grow, but for now the Liberals will concentrate on filling the ranks to the existing approved levels of 68,000 full-time and 27,000 part-time soldiers.

A recent federal report from last year’s budget shows military reserves are running at roughly 20,000 paid members — about 19 per cent short of full strength.

The numbers are only slightly better for the regular forces with roughly 66,000 full-time members in uniform.

Sajjan says recruiting has slowed over the last few years and he wants to see measures stepped up so the country always has an agile, optimal force.

National Defence is the largest single discretionary item in the federal budget and previous governments — Liberal and Conservative — have often used military cuts as a way to balance the books.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Prime Ministe