OTTAWA –
The defense minister and Canada’s top soldier will speak to a House of Commons committee later today about the increasing number of domestic military operations and the challenges they pose to the Canadian Armed Forces.
Responding to this year’s record wildfires and other natural disasters is straining the military’s readiness, according to a recent Defense Department report.
Gen. Wayne Eyre, the chief of defense staff, said the federal government needs to call up troops less frequently and return to the practice of making them a last resort.
But Defense Minister Bill Blair has made it clear that he believes responding to natural disasters in Canada is part of the military’s mission.
The ministry’s latest findings report said efforts to respond to natural disasters and support Ukraine are exacerbating long-standing personnel shortages and equipment problems in the armed forces.
The House Defense Committee is also expected to hear from Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan as the government considers the creation of a national emergency response agency.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2023.
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