The Canadian Military is possibly at its lowest point in recorded history. Positioning Canada as irrelevant on the global security front.

Canada being part of the Five Eyes global security coalition is starting to come into question. Current Canadian military equipment is in the league of antiques rather than usable tools for soldiers.

“Their equipment has been relegated to sort of broken equipment parked by the fence. Our fighting ships are on limitations to the speed that they can sail or the waves that they can sail in. Our aircraft, until they’re replaced, they’re old and sort of not in that kind of fight anymore. And so, I feel sorry for the men and women who are serving there right now”

Rick Hillier- Retired Canadian General and Former Chief of Defence

This puts people’s lives at risk. It also means Canada is not seen as a critical piece in keeping the world safe.

Drafting for all levels of Military Defence is down, last check was creeping towards twenty percent less than required operational goals. Even if Canada had the troops, they simply do not have the equipment and resources to do the job.

Over the last decade, Canada has slowly creeped into the same league with New Zealand, simply there for moral support. In fact, often military information, strategic military partnerships, and military operations do not involve Canada.

“Our irrelevance. The fact that nobody even bothers to phone us if they’re talking about doing something as a group of Three Eyes or a group of Five Eyes or things of that nature”

Rick Hillier- Retired Canadian General and Former Chief of Defence

One prime example is the response to the Islamic Rebel group known as the Houthis of Yemen. The terrorists have been attacking vessels crossing the Red Sea area region.

The US and UK have launched a series of air strikes on Houthi targets as a direct response to attacks on ships crossing through the Red Sea region. French, Indian and US naval ships have also provided assistance to the vessel. Canada on the other hand, has been relegated to bystander.

Canada is also at risk of not meeting its NATO obligations. Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair stated to media reporters he is confident that other NATO Allies will defend Canada.

He also reiterated that he was not sure when Canada would meet its 2% of GDP commitment on Defence spending. This is a concerning statement from Canadian Top brass, as NATO nations approach an American election.

For its part, Canada is only currently spends approximately 1.38% of its GDP on defence. Thats two thirds of 2% current GDP and adding another one third of 2% of GDP is a large gap to cover in a few years.

With U.S. polls later this year and a potential Donald Trump victory, NATO member safety is in question. Trump has suggested the U.S. would not defend NATO partner nations who do not meet the two per cent of GDP spending target.

Trump has long been a critique of NATO and the role the United States plays as the strongest member. The United States boasts the largest military of the group and currently spend over 3% of GDP on defence.

Although the United States spends more on defence than any other country, the goal is future reduction on defence spend.

The United States has been one of the biggest spenders on defence since the end of World War II. All in a bid to keep the peace, but also control the outcomes around the world.

The country has suffered as a result. Currently the United States is in a mushrooming national debt. It would appear that every few years, the American congress is voting to raise the debt ceiling to make room for its elephant debt.

The American Congressional Budget Office projects that defence spending as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) will be strategically set to decline over the next 10 years. The goal is to reduce from 3.1 percent of GDP in 2023 to 2.8 percent in 2033.

Without a doubt, world stability overall is becoming more volatile. Wars in Ukraine and Israel, that do not to have end dates in sight only increase that uncertainly.

While eyes on an American presidency looms, NATO members who underpay such as Canada, may find themselves scrambling if a future world war breaks out.