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The Senate Security and Defence Committee tabled its new Canadian Security Guide Book, 2005 EDITION: An Update of Security Problems in Search of Solutions (see link below) on Dec.8, 2004. It was unanimously approved.
The report acknowledges that the Government has begun to revamp Canada’s approach to national security, but several areas still require immediate attention. These include the need to: increase the defence budget; make airports less vulnerable; improve security at Canadian seaports, improve Canada’s Coast Guard; improve oversight of the Great Lakes; improve emergency preparedness; and develop better intelligence.
At the press release, three members of the Committee (The Hon. Colin Kenny, Chair; Hon. J. Michael Forrestall, Vice-Chair; and the Hon. Michael A. Meighen) said the delay in fulfilling the Liberal election promise to increase the Regular Force by 5,000 and the Reserves by 3,000 due to lack of resources, was unacceptable. They encouraged the Government to stop tap dancing around the issue.
On the larger issue of the state of the Armed Forces, the report found that: "National Defence is still overstretched and resources continue to deteriorate. There are plenty of worthy causes lined up to take advantage of recurring federal surpluses. Given Canada’s inability to protect its citizens and the country’s fast-evaporating influence in world affairs, one would think that national security would be placed at the head of the line. This has not been the case."
The report presents the following challenge to the Government: "You have made useful adjustments; there is a great deal still to be done; our strong advice is to treat security and defence as major issues and get on with the job."
The demands the Committee makes to the Government of Canada are simple: "If the government finds our reasoning to be sound, it should act to implement our recommendations. Otherwise, it should explain – publicly – why it either finds our logic flawed on particular issues, or why it cannot respond to sound logic because its hands are tied in some way."
The demands the Committee makes to Canadians themselves are also simple: "We want a public debate on important issues of national security. Apathy is anathema to us. If Canadians do not supply sufficient pressure on governments to act on important issues, all too often those governments do not act."
Will the government respond to the legitimate concerns expressed by the Committee? Will it take their recommendations into consideration? The defence community believes that National Security and Defence is a matter that requires the urgent attention of the Prime Minister, for only he can redirect the resources to begin the long recovery of the CF. Only he can redirect the governing party, or coax a coalition of Parliament and the federal bureaucracy towards this task. The Prime Minister must also show leadership and explain to the people of Canada the importance of reinvesting in defence.
If you feel strongly about this matter, please contact your Member of
Parliament, as well as the PM and MND to indicate your support for the revitalization
of the Canadian Forces; and to ensure a long-term funding plan and strategic
vision for the Canadian Forces. 
Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, Canadian Security Guide Book, 2005 EDITION: An Update of Security Problems in Search of Solutions can be found at www.parl.gc.ca/38/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/defe-e/rep-e/rep03nov04-e.htm
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